Supercritical Fluid Chromatography Vapor Liquid Separator Gas Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercritical fluid chromatography methods face challenges in recycling the gas component from a mobile phase containing a supercritical fluid and a solvent, particularly when the pressure of the divided gas is higher than that of the gas supplied, leading to inefficiencies in substance separation and recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the liquefaction of gas to form a supercritical fluid, injection of a sample into a mobile phase comprising the supercritical fluid and a solvent, passing through a column for separation, and using a vapor liquid separator to divide the mobile phase into solvent and gas, with priority given to recycling the gas when its pressure is higher, and employing a vapor liquid separator with a specific structure to enhance separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mobile phase containing supercritical fluid and solvent is used for substance separation, then the separation capability is improved, but the recycling of gas component becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile phase is segmented into two distinct components: solvent and gas. The vapor-liquid separator divides the mobile phase after column passage, allowing the gas component to be separated and recycled independently while the solvent is discharged. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling gas recycling without compromising the separation capability achieved through the supercritical fluid-mobile phase system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a selective recovery strategy where the gas component is recovered and recycled back to the gas supply device, while the solvent is discarded. This approach addresses the technical contradiction by focusing recycling efforts on the reusable gas component, simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective substance separation.
2Productivity
If the pressure of divided gas is higher than supplied gas pressure, then the gas recycling efficiency is improved, but the system stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention dynamically adjusts the pressure parameter of the recycled gas to resolve the contradiction. When the divided gas pressure exceeds the supplied gas pressure, the system prioritizes using the divided gas for supercritical fluid formation, improving recycling efficiency. Pressure regulating mechanisms ensure system stability by controlling the pressure differential, allowing high-efficiency recycling without compromising system reliability.
3Loss of substance
If the gas is recycled without pressure regulation, then the cost reduction is improved, but the separation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements pressure regulation as a controllable parameter to balance cost reduction and separation precision. By regulating the pressure of recycled gas to match or exceed the supplied gas pressure, the system maximizes recycling rates (reducing gas consumption costs) while maintaining the critical pressure conditions necessary for precise substance separation in the column.
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 approach enables efficient recycling of the gas component, improving the recovery rate and separation efficiency of substances, particularly for difficult-to-separate substances like optical isomers, while reducing the cost of carbon dioxide and minimizing environmental discharge.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting a mobile phase that has been passed through a column to vapor liquid separation; dividing the mobile phase into the solvent and the gas
Implementation Method 2
liquefying a gas to form a liquefied gas; forming a supercritical fluid from a gas obtained by liquefying a gas
Implementation Method 3
forming a supercritical fluid from a gas obtained by liquefying a gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising liquefying a gas to thereby obtain a liquefied gas; injecting a sample into a mobile phase containing a solvent and a supercritical fluid formed from the liquefied gas; passing this mobile phase through a column so that the mobile phase containing desired substance is divided into the solvent and the gas; and separating the desired substance from the solvent, wherein when the pressure of the gas divided from the mobile phase is higher than the pressure of the gas fed for formation of the liquefied gas from gas supply device, the gas divided from the mobile phase is liquefied. Further, there is provided a vapor liquid separator for use in the method.