Supercritical Chromatography Collection System with Gas-Liquid Separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercritical fluid chromatography systems face aerosolization issues during fraction collection, leading to cross-contamination between fractions, especially when operating at high pressures, limiting the number of fractions that can be collected and requiring high-pressure collection vessels.
Innovation Solution
A collection system utilizing a first back pressure regulator, a gas-liquid separator with a tapered and angled dripper, and fraction collectors at reduced pressures between 100 bar and atmospheric pressure, which separates gas and liquid components efficiently, minimizing aerosolization and cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high pressure systems are used for supercritical fluid chromatography, then separation efficiency is improved, but aerosolization of co-solvent occurs during fraction collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the high-pressure flow stream into discrete fractions using a multi-position valve that directs different portions of the continuous stream to separate collection vessels. This segmentation allows each fraction to be collected independently in its own vessel, preventing aerosol cross-contamination between fractions while maintaining the high-pressure separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary depressurization step where the high-pressure mixed gas-liquid solvent stream is depressurized to atmospheric pressure before entering the collection vessels. This intermediary pressure reduction acts as a mediator that eliminates the harmful aerosolization effect while preserving the separated compounds for collection.
2Reliability
If collection vessels are maintained under high pressure to prevent aerosolization, then cross-contamination is reduced, but the number of collectable fractions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple collection vessels (at least two) that can be independently filled and emptied. The multi-position valve segments the continuous stream to direct different fractions to different vessels, allowing sequential collection of multiple fractions without cross-contamination. When one vessel is full, the system can switch to another vessel without depressurizing the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection process employs periodic action by cyclically switching between multiple collection vessels. The multi-position valve periodically directs the flow stream to different vessels in a sequence, allowing continuous operation with multiple fractions collected over time while maintaining high pressure throughout the system.
3Device complexity
If a single fraction collection device is used for depressurization, then system complexity is reduced, but aerosolization causes cross-contamination between fractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single collection device into multiple separate collection vessels (at least two), with each vessel serving as an independent collection point for specific fractions. This segmentation eliminates cross-contamination between fractions while maintaining relatively simple system structure through the use of a multi-position valve for flow distribution.
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
The system effectively reduces aerosolization and cross-contamination, allowing for continuous collection of fractions at atmospheric or near-atmospheric pressure, eliminating limitations on the number of fractions that can be collected and improving sample recovery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first back pressure regulator (10) on the flowstream as it exits the chromatography system (5)
Implementation Method 2
a gas-liquid separator (30); wherein the fraction collector (15) is at a reduced pressure collection point, between 100 bar and atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
the gas liquid separator (30) further comprises a tapered and angled dripper (65) having an outlet (67), which introduces the flow into the separator (30) at a tangential angle relative to a tangential plane at an impact point on the separator wall (76)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3
AI summary
A collection system for collecting samples from a flowstream (5) exiting a supercritical fluid chromatography system is provided. The collection system comprises: (i) a first back pressure regulator (10) on the flowstream as it exits the chromatography system, (ii) a gas-liquid separator (30) having a tapered and angled dripper (65), which introduces the flow into the separator at an angle tangential to the separator wall; and (iii) one or more fraction collectors (15), wherein the fraction collector is at a reduced pressure collection point, between 100 bar and atmospheric pressure. A collection system for HPLC is also provided, as well as a process for collection of samples from a flowstream.