Gas-Liquid Separator with Segmented Flow Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

In super-critical fluid chromatography and extraction devices, the high linear velocity of CO2 as it decompresses leads to scattering of liquid components, causing cross-contamination and carryover issues due to swirling flows and dead volumes, which complicates the collection of adjacent chromatograph peaks.

Innovation Solution

A gas-liquid separator with an introduction flow channel branching into multiple discharge flow channels, where the gas and liquid are separated by increasing the cross-sectional area, reducing linear velocity and minimizing dead volume, allowing the liquid to flow along the outer wall of a collecting member, thereby preventing cross-contamination and carryover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the internal diameter of the tube is enlarged to suppress linear velocity, then the linear velocity is reduced, but a swirling flow is generated causing cross-contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear velocityVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The single large-diameter tube is divided into multiple smaller-diameter tubes. This segmentation allows the system to maintain low linear velocity (by having multiple flow paths) while avoiding swirling flows (by keeping individual tube diameters small), thus preventing cross-contamination between adjacent fractions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-dimensional approach (one large tube) to a multi-dimensional approach (multiple parallel tubes arranged in a bundle). This dimensional change allows simultaneous optimization of flow velocity control and contamination prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single gas-liquid separator is used for multiple fractions, then the device configuration is simple, but dead volume causes peak broadening and cross-contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configurationVSAvoidpeak separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single separator is segmented into multiple independent flow channels, each with its own small-diameter tube. This maintains relative configuration simplicity while eliminating dead volume effects that cause peak broadening, as each fraction travels through its own dedicated path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using one large separator that processes all fractions simultaneously (excessive action causing dead volume), the invention uses multiple smaller separators in parallel (partial action), where each handles a portion of the flow, thereby minimizing dead volume impact on peak separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If numerous fractions are dispensed adjacently, then the productivity is high, but cross-contamination occurs between closely spaced peaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraction collection rateVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the flow into multiple separate channels, each fraction can be collected in adjacent vials without mixing, enabling high-speed sequential collection while preventing cross-contamination between closely spaced chromatograph peaks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively suppresses fluid linear velocity, preventing cross-contamination and carryover, enabling the precise collection of numerous adjacent fractions without broadening peaks or mixing components, while maintaining a wide applicable flow rate range for high liquid recovery rates.

Implementation Method 1

a gas-liquid separator that separates a mobile phase containing a gas and a liquid into a gas and a liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid separation:

Implementation Method 2

from a discharge port of the discharge flow channel, a gas and a liquid are discharged... effectively suppresses fluid linear velocity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow velocity reduction through cross-sectional area increase:

Data Source

PatentUS11226317B2Gas-liquid separator and super-critical fluid device

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present invention separates a mobile phase containing a gas and a liquid into a gas and a liquid. The gas-liquid separator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an introduction flow channel to which a mobile phase is introduced, and a plurality of discharge flow channels connected to the introduction flow channel. A gas and a liquid are discharged from a discharge port of the discharge flow channel.