Separation Column Cap With Sandwiched Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing separation columns used in low backpressure applications face challenges in attaching filters without increasing backpressure, as traditional filters are either fragile or require high-pressure systems.
Innovation Solution
A separation column design featuring a cap with a filter sandwiched between mesh screens, allowing for attachment without significantly increasing backpressure, and enabling the use of fragile filters like glass fiber or cellulose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional filter or frit is attached to the separation column, then particle separation is improved, but backpressure increases too much for low backpressure systems
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple segments stacked together within the cap. Each segment provides a portion of the required filtration, allowing the system to achieve effective particle separation while maintaining lower backpressure compared to a single traditional filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration function is extended from a single-plane filter to a multi-layer stacked configuration within the cap. This dimensional approach increases the effective filtration area and reduces the pressure drop across each individual filter layer, thereby maintaining low backpressure while achieving reliable particle separation.
2Measurement precision
If a filter with small pore size is used to exclude larger particles, then separation precision is improved, but backpressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration task is segmented across multiple filter layers with potentially different pore sizes. This allows the system to achieve high separation precision through cumulative filtration while distributing the pressure drop across multiple layers, preventing excessive backpressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration process is extended into the vertical dimension through stacking multiple filter layers. This increases the total filtration path length and effective area, enabling high separation precision without requiring a single high-pressure small-pore filter.
3Stress or pressure
If a low backpressure filter is used to maintain system pressure, then the filter must have larger pore size or thinner structure, but this makes the filter more fragile and difficult to attach
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into multiple stacked layers, each providing structural support to the others. This segmentation allows each individual layer to be thinner and more permeable (maintaining low backpressure) while the stacked configuration collectively provides the necessary mechanical strength and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly uses a composite structure combining multiple filter layers within a cap, where the collective arrangement of materials provides both the low backpressure特性 and the mechanical strength needed for reliable operation and attachment.
4Stress or pressure
If a fragile filter like glass fiber or cellulose is used to maintain low backpressure, then backpressure is reduced, but the filter becomes difficult to attach to the column
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile filter layers are pre-assembled into a stacked configuration within the cap before attachment to the column. This preliminary assembly provides structural integrity and ease of handling, allowing the fragile filters to be attached as a unified, stable unit rather than individually, which would be difficult and risky.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure serves as a protective shell that holds the fragile filter layers in place, providing mechanical support and facilitating easy attachment to the column. The cap acts as a flexible container that protects the thin, fragile filters while enabling straightforward installation.
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 design allows for the attachment of low backpressure filters to separation columns without increasing system backpressure, facilitating efficient sample preparation and solid phase extraction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a filter which is provided in the cap interior towards the second mesh screen and said filter is covering the cap opening
Implementation Method 2
a first mesh screen which is attached to the first end of the first tubular wall and is covering a column opening into the column interior
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A separation column (1) for sample preparation comprising a column body (3) and a cap (7) and a method for attaching a filter (11) to a separation column. The column body comprises a first mesh screen (9a) attached to a first end (3a) of a first tubular wall (4) of the column body (3). The cap comprises a second mesh screen (9b) which is attached to a second tubular wall (8) of the cap (7) in a cap first end (7a). The cap comprises further a filter (11) which is provided in the cap interior (10) towards the second mesh screen (9b), wherein the cap (7) is arranged to be attached to the first tubular wall (4) of the column body (3) in the first end (3a) of the first tubular wall (4) such that the filter (11) is sandwiched between the first and second mesh screens (9a, 9b).