Liquid Chromatography Selector Valve Cleaning via Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid chromatographic systems, carryover occurs when sample components from previous analyses accumulate in selector valves, leading to inappropriate analysis results.
Innovation Solution
A method of cleaning the liquid chromatographic system involves controlling the selector valve to switch between analysis flow paths and using a cleaning solution or blank sample to clean the selector valve, ensuring effective removal of accumulated sample components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If analysis is continued by switching among multiple flow paths, then analysis efficiency is enhanced, but sample accumulation in the selector valve causes carryover
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning of the selector valve by introducing a cleaning solution through the first analysis flow path before switching to the next sample analysis. This preventive cleaning action removes accumulated sample components before they can cause carryover contamination, allowing continuous analysis without compromising result accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning solution is introduced as an intermediary substance to clean the selector valve. The cleaning solution flows through the first analysis flow path and selectively removes sample accumulation from the selector valve without interfering with the normal analysis process, thus maintaining both efficiency and accuracy.
2Reliability
If cleaning solution is fed to the selector valve, then carryover is eliminated, but additional cleaning steps increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The first analysis flow path serves dual functions: it is used for normal sample analysis and also serves as the cleaning path for removing sample accumulation from the selector valve. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cleaning flow paths, reducing system complexity while maintaining effective carryover prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing flow path infrastructure to perform cleaning operations. By utilizing the first analysis flow path that already exists in the system for both analysis and cleaning purposes, the system cleans itself without requiring external or additional cleaning mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid chromatographic system includes a first cleaning pump that supplies a cleaning solution to a first valve, a selector valve connected to a first column and a second column, the selector valve switching an object to be connected to a detector that analyzes a separated sample between the first column and the second column, and a controller. The controller can have the first cleaning pump driven to clean the selector valve with the cleaning solution that flows through a first analysis flow path.