Solvent Delivery Valve Salt Precipitation Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gradient solvent delivery devices in liquid chromatography face issues with salt precipitation in flow path switching valves, leading to clogging and solenoid valve failure due to residual mobile phases after analysis.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a buffer solution storage section and a cleaning solution storage section, with a mobile phase switching valve to switch the buffer solution sending flow path to the cleaning solution storage after analysis, allowing for the use of cleaning solutions to prevent salt precipitation by flushing the flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mobile phases are left in the flow paths after analysis, then the solvent delivery device can be quickly ready for the next analysis, but salt precipitates in the flow path switching valve causing clogging and valve failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for next analysisVSAvoidflow path switching valve functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs a preliminary cleaning action by switching the buffer solution sending flow path to the cleaning solution storage section after analysis ends. This preliminary cleaning prevents salt precipitation before it can cause clogging or valve failure, ensuring the flow path switching valve remains functional for the next analysis without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The solvent delivery device performs self-cleaning through automatic switching of the flow path to冲洗 residual mobile phases with cleaning solution. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations, automatically preventing salt precipitation and maintaining valve functionality through the mobile phase switching valve and cleaning solution storage section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flow path switching valve switches between different mobile phases, then gradient elution can be achieved, but salt precipitation occurs at the meeting portions of flow paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegradient elution capabilityVSAvoidsalt precipitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful salt precipitation is extracted and removed from the system by introducing a cleaning solution that flushes out residual mobile phases from the flow paths. The cleaning solution storage section and mobile phase switching valve work together to extract and eliminate the harmful byproduct of gradient elution operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning solution acts as an intermediary substance between the residual mobile phase and the flow path switching valve. It mediates by dissolving and flushing out salt precipitates, preventing direct contact between the harmful salt and the valve components, thereby protecting the valve while maintaining gradient elution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents salt precipitation in the flow path switching valve, ensuring reliable mobile phase delivery and maintaining the integrity of the analytical flow path, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of chromatographic analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a buffer solution storage section for storing the buffer solution, a cleaning solution storage section for storing a cleaning solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Implementation Method 2

allowing for the use of cleaning solutions to prevent salt precipitation by flushing the flow paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlushing:

Data Source

PatentUS10302604B2Solvent delivery device and liquid chromatograph

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A solvent delivery device includes a solvent delivery pump and a flow path switching valve. The flow path switching valve is connected to downstream ends of mobile phase sending flow paths and the solvent delivery pump is to be connected to one of the mobile phase sending flow paths by switching the flow path switching valve. At least one of the mobile phase sending flow paths includes a buffer solution sending flow path. The buffer solution sending flow path includes a butler solution storage section, a cleaning solution storage section, and a mobile phase switching valve for switching connection of the flow path switching valve to one of the storage sections.