Supercritical Fluid Flow Splitter for Low Pressure Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supercritical fluid systems face challenges in efficiently directing a small portion of the high-pressure mobile phase to low-pressure detectors without interrupting the main flow, and in adjusting the composition of the mobile phase in real-time to prevent overload and ensure timely detection and fraction collection.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically adjustable flow splitter device that combines passive splitters, restrictors, and a shuttle valve to achieve a high split ratio, allowing for real-time adjustment of the split ratio and minimizing time delay to the low-pressure detector, utilizing volumetric expansion and dilution to reduce sample concentration effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flow splitter is used to direct mobile phase to low pressure detector, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter divides the mobile phase stream into multiple paths, separating a small portion for the low pressure detector from the main high pressure flow. This segmentation enables the detector to receive appropriately diluted sample without requiring complex high pressure tolerant detector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow splitter acts as an intermediary device between the high pressure chromatographic system and the low pressure detector. It mediates the pressure mismatch by reducing the pressure of the sample portion destined for the detector, allowing compatible operation of high pressure and low pressure components.
2Measurement precision
If mobile phase composition is adjusted in real-time, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mobile phase composition in real-time by varying the ratio of strong to weak solvents. This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of detection accuracy for different analyte concentrations and types without requiring multiple static system configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile phase composition parameters (solvent ratios, flow rates) are changed in real-time to optimize detection. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system adapts to different sample conditions and maintains optimal detection accuracy across varying analytical conditions.
3Productivity
If high concentration samples are analyzed, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter segments the high concentration sample stream into a small portion for the detector and a large portion for continued analysis. This segmentation dilutes the sample portion entering the detector, preventing overload while maintaining the ability to process high concentration samples efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
A small portion of the high concentration sample is extracted from the main stream for detector analysis. This extraction allows the detector to receive diluted sample at appropriate concentration levels while the main high concentration stream continues to the separation unit for further processing.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If split ratio is increased to reduce concentration, then detector overload is prevented, but time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a very high split ratio that would cause excessive time delay, the system uses a moderate split ratio that provides sufficient dilution to prevent detector overload. The remaining undiluted portion continues through the system, balancing detection safety with minimal time delay.
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
Enables real-time detection and timely fraction collection by reducing the pressure and concentration of the mobile phase, preventing detector overload and allowing for precise analysis of high-concentration samples in supercritical fluid systems.
Implementation Method 1
the mobile phase volumetrically expands as it decompresses
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided in a supercritical fluid system, which uses a mobile phase output by a separation device, the mobile phase volumetrically expanding as it decompresses. The device includes a passive splitter and a shuttle valve. The passive splitter is configured to receive the mobile phase and to split the mobile phase into a primary flow stream and a split flow stream, where the primary flow stream is directed to a pressure maintenance device. The passive splitter is further configured to reduce pressure of the split flow stream, causing volumetric expansion of the split flow stream. The shuttle valve is configured to insert volumetric aliquots of the volumetrically expanded split flow stream into a dilution flow stream to provide a diluted split flow stream, and to direct the diluted split flow stream to a low pressure detector.