Online Sampling with Dual Sample Loops for Pressure Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online sampling systems using flow vials in liquid chromatography fail to maintain the high pressure state of the sample source due to needle penetration, affecting the reaction in the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
An online sampling system with a first sample loop, injection valve, sample supply channel, pump part, and second sample loop, along with path construction using switching valves, allows for a closed system connection to draw and supply samples while maintaining pressure, using a second sample loop to isolate the sample source channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a needle of the autosampler penetrates a septum of the flow vial to inject the sample, then the sample can be injected into the LC, but the system from the sample source to the flow vial cannot be a completely closed system, causing the sample source pressure to drop
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate sample loops: a first sample loop in the injector for injection, and a second sample loop separate from the injector for pressure maintenance. This segmentation allows the sampling function and pressure maintenance function to operate independently, resolving the contradiction between enabling needle penetration for injection and maintaining closed system pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sample loop acts as an intermediary between the sample source and the first sample loop. It provides a closed system pathway that allows the sample source to maintain pressure while the first sample loop handles the injection process with needle penetration, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements.
2Reliability
If the sample source is maintained in a high pressure state for manufacturing process monitoring, then reliable reaction condition data is obtained, but the needle penetration of the flow vial septum prevents complete system closure
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the high-pressure sampling function (second sample loop) from the injection function (first sample loop). The second sample loop maintains the closed high-pressure system for reliable manufacturing process monitoring, while the first sample loop handles injection, thus achieving reliable monitoring without compromising system closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The path construction part with switching valves provides multi-functionality, enabling the system to switch between different operational modes (sampling mode, pressure maintenance mode, injection mode). This universal design allows the system to maintain high pressure for reliable monitoring while accommodating the injection process through configurable fluid paths.
3Productivity
If a flow vial system is used with needle penetration for sampling, then online monitoring is enabled, but the sample source cannot be maintained in a required high pressure state
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the online monitoring function across two sample loops. The second sample loop maintains the high-pressure closed system for sampling from the manufacturing process, while the first sample loop handles the injection into the LC. This segmentation enables online monitoring capability while preserving the high-pressure state of the sample source.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sample loop serves as an intermediary that preserves the high-pressure state between the sample source and the injection system. It allows the sample source to maintain required pressure while enabling the injection process to proceed through the first sample loop, thus mediating between online monitoring requirements and pressure maintenance.
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
Enables sample injection into the LC while preserving the sample source pressure, ensuring consistent reaction conditions and maintaining a closed system for reliable sampling.
Implementation Method 1
a pump part configured to suck and discharge a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object to enable a sample of a sample source to be injected into a LC while a pressure state of the sample source is maintained. There are provided an injector (2) including a first sample loop (18) and an injection valve (20), a sample supply channel (26), a pump part (4), a second sample loop (12), a sample source channel (52), and a path construction part. The path construction part is configured to be capable of selectively constructing a sampling path and a sample supply path. The sampling path is configured so that the sample source channel (52) and the pump part (4) are fluidly connected to each other in a closed system with the second sample loop (12) interposed therebetween and the sample is drawn from the sample source to the second sample loop (12) using the pump part (4), and the sample supply path is configured so that the second sample loop (12) is separated from the sample source channel (52) while maintaining a closed system state of the sample source channel (52) and the pump part (4) or another pump (40) different from the pump part and the sample supply channel (26) are fluidly connected to each other with the second sample loop (12) interposed therebetween and the sample held in the second sample loop (12) is supplied to the injector (2) through the sample supply channel (26) using the pump part (4) or the other pump (40).