Multi-Nozzle Liquid Transport for Higher MS Sample Throughput
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid transport systems for mass spectrometers are limited by the pressure drop achievable, restricting the liquid flow rate to about ⅔ of an atmosphere, even under optimal vacuum conditions, due to the use of a single nebulizer nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A liquid handling system with multiple nebulizer nozzles and transfer conduits, where the pressure drop generated by nebulizer gas flow draws liquid into removal conduits, allowing for increased pressure differential and flow rate through the use of multiple nozzles and conduits of varying diameters and lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single nebulizer nozzle is used, then the system structure is simple, but the liquid flow rate is limited to about 2/3 of an atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The single nebulizer nozzle is divided into multiple nebulizer nozzles (first nebulizer nozzle, second nebulizer nozzle, etc.), each connected to separate transfer conduits. This segmentation allows multiple parallel liquid flow paths, increasing the total liquid flow rate while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transfer conduits carrying liquid from different nebulizer nozzles are merged into a single removal conduit that leads to the open port interface. This combining approach allows parallel flow paths to contribute to a unified output, achieving increased productivity while consolidating the system structure at the convergence point
2Productivity
If the pressure drop is increased to improve liquid flow rate, then the productivity increases, but the vacuum requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure drop requirement is segmented across multiple nebulizer nozzles operating in parallel. Each nozzle experiences a manageable pressure drop individually, while the cumulative effect of multiple nozzles achieves the desired total liquid flow rate without requiring extreme vacuum conditions at any single point
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on a single nozzle operating at maximum pressure drop, the system uses multiple nozzles operating at moderate pressure drops. The combined partial actions of multiple nozzles achieve excessive liquid flow capability, providing both high productivity and vacuum stability margins
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 enhances the liquid flow rate and sample throughput by increasing the effective pressure drop across the open port interface, enabling faster liquid turnover and reduced sample peak widths.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure drop generated due to a flow of a nebulizer gas through the plurality of nebulizer nozzles draws a liquid disposed in the internal volume into the plurality of removal conduits
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid handling system for a mass spectrometer (MS), the liquid handling system including an open port interface (OPI) including a body defining a port and an internal volume. At least one removal conduit is disposed in the body and fluidically coupled to the internal volume. A plurality of transfer conduits is fluidically coupled to the at least one removal conduit. A single one of a plurality of nebulizer nozzles are fluidically coupled to each of the plurality of transfer conduits.