Parallel Insulated Chromatography Columns for Compact Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional parallel chromatography column arrangements require significant space due to the need for column ovens and pre-heaters, which limits their proximity to detectors and increases costs, leading to band broadening and decreased system performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of insulating sleeves to eliminate the need for column ovens and pre-heaters, allowing chromatography columns to be arranged in close proximity, with mobile phase heaters positioned before or after the columns for temperature control, and valves to manage the flow of the mobile phase and analyte.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If column ovens and pre-heaters are used for each chromatography column, then temperature control is improved, but system space requirement and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual column ovens and pre-heaters are merged into a single shared column oven and a single shared pre-heater that serves all chromatography columns simultaneously. This consolidation maintains temperature control for each column while dramatically reducing the total space requirement and device complexity compared to having separate temperature control devices for each column.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared column oven and pre-heater are designed to perform multiple functions - providing temperature control for all chromatography columns in the system. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple individual devices, achieving both space savings and maintained temperature control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If column ovens and pre-heaters are used for each chromatography column, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual temperature control systems are merged into a single shared column oven and pre-heater system. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while maintaining temperature stability through centralized control that serves all chromatography columns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If chromatography columns are placed far from detectors, then space for column ovens is available, but band broadening increases and system performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace availabilityVSAvoidband broadening

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple column ovens into a single shared oven, the space previously occupied by multiple separate ovens is now occupied by one consolidated device. This freed space allows chromatography columns to be positioned much closer to the detector, reducing band broadening and improving system performance while still maintaining necessary temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Temperature

If multiple separate column ovens and pre-heaters are used, then temperature control for each column is ensured, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple expensive individual column ovens and pre-heaters are merged into single shared devices, significantly reducing the total system cost by eliminating redundant components while maintaining the necessary temperature control functionality for all chromatography columns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 results in a more compact and efficient chromatography system with improved performance by reducing thermal gradients and band broadening, enabling higher throughput and closer placement of columns to detectors.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating sleeve surrounding the plurality of chromatography columns to insulate the plurality of chromatography columns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

mobile phase heaters positioned before the inlets of the chromatography columns for heating the mobile phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12163934B2Parallel insulated chromatography columns

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 WATERS TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

The exemplary embodiments may provide a collective insulating sleeve for a plurality of chromatography columns or may provide separate insulating sleeve for each of the chromatography columns in a plurality. As a result, column ovens are not needed, and pre-heaters may not be required for each chromatography column in some exemplary embodiments. Thus, parallel column arrangements in the exemplary embodiments may be more compact than conventional arrangements.