Line-Specific LC Solvent Pumps for Reproducible Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid chromatography systems face inaccuracies in solvent composition due to gravitational effects, inertia, and viscosity fluctuations, leading to inconsistent and reproducibility issues in sample separation results.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply apparatus with line-specific fluid pumps and a combining point, where each pump conveys or blocks fluid based on its switching state, independent of solvent container height, ensuring precise and reproducible mixing of multiple fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solvent containers are positioned at different heights or filling levels, then the system becomes more flexible in operation, but the accuracy of fluid composition and sample separation deteriorates due to gravitational effects and inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid supply into separate channels, each with its own pump. This segmentation allows independent control of each solvent stream, eliminating the need for all containers to be at the same height. Each channel can operate independently with its own pressure control, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and composition accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the controlling parameter from gravitational potential energy (height) to mechanical pumping pressure. By using individually controllable pumps for each supply line, the system can maintain precise fluid composition accuracy regardless of container height or filling level, allowing operational flexibility without sacrificing precision.
2Device complexity
If a single high-pressure pump is used to convey multiple solvents, then the system structure is simplified, but the precision of solvent mixing and pressure control deteriorates due to gravitational effects and viscosity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-pressure pump for all solvents, the system segments the pumping function into multiple individual pumps, each dedicated to a specific supply line. This segmentation enables precise control of each solvent's flow rate and pressure independently, eliminating mixing errors caused by gravitational effects and viscosity variations while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If solvent containers are elevated to eliminate gravitational effects on fluid flow, then mixing accuracy improves, but the ease of operation and system flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the gravitational mechanical system (elevated containers) with an active pumping system. Instead of relying on gravity to drive fluid flow and maintain pressure, individually controlled pumps provide the necessary pressure and flow control. This substitution eliminates the need for elevated positioning while maintaining or improving mixing accuracy, thereby enhancing operational flexibility.
4Device complexity
If proportioning devices are used to mix solvents before high-pressure pumping, then the mixing process is simplified, but volume errors occur during switching leading to inaccurate solvent composition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by individually pressurizing and preparing each solvent stream in separate supply lines before they reach the mixing point. Each solvent is independently pumped to the required pressure and flow rate before mixing occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates volume errors during switching that plague proportioning devices, as each stream is already precisely controlled before combination.
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
The solution enables precise and reproducible mixing of fluids, reducing gravitational and inertial influences, and enhances the accuracy and reliability of liquid chromatography sample separation.
Implementation Method 1
These fluids and/or solvents are accelerated under the influence of gravity when they move through fluid lines
Implementation Method 2
the inertia of the fluid influence, in particular, the path between the solvent containers and the mixing point
Implementation Method 3
a liquid (mobile phase) is typically moved through a so-called stationary phase... at a high pressure (typically 20 to 1000 bar and beyond, currently up to 2000 bar)
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid chromatography fluid supply apparatus, for providing a mixture of a plurality of different fluids as a mobile phase for a liquid chromatography sample separation apparatus, includes a plurality of supply lines, a plurality of fluid pumps, and a combining point. Each of the supply lines is fluidically coupled to a respective one of a plurality of fluid component sources for providing a respective one of the fluids. Each of the fluid pumps is associated with a respective one of said supply lines. The fluids from the supply lines are to be merged at the combining point. Each of the fluid pumps conveys or does not convey a respective fluid from a respective one of the fluid component sources to the combining point, depending on a respective switching state of the fluid supply apparatus.