High-pressure fluid chromatography system using interior-to-exterior column pressure equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supercritical fluid systems face issues with Joule-Thomson cooling effects leading to undesired depressurization, sample precipitation, and restrictor plugging, while traditional flash chromatography requires high solvent use and cannot handle higher pressures with disposable plastic cartridges.
Innovation Solution
A cooling loop refrigeration circuit using compressed refrigerant fluid with a positive Joule-Thomson coefficient to absorb thermal energy, combined with a chiller system to subcool liquefied gas or supercritical gas, and a pressure equalizing vessel to maintain consistent pressure across chromatography columns, allowing for high-pressure solvent flow without solvent waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If Joule-Thomson cooling effect is utilized for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but depressurization and sample precipitation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful Joule-Thomson cooling effect into a beneficial feature by deliberately using it for cooling the supercritical fluid in the chromatography column. The system accepts the associated depressurization by implementing pressure equalization through an outer column, thereby transforming a previously problematic effect into a useful cooling mechanism that improves separation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an outer column as an intermediary component that surrounds the inner chromatography column. This outer column acts as a pressure equalization chamber, buffering the pressure changes caused by Joule-Thomson cooling and preventing direct pressure fluctuations from affecting the chromatography process, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling and pressure stability
2Reliability
If restrictor is heated to counteract Joule-Thomson cooling, then restrictor plugging is prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating the restrictor to counteract the harmful cooling effect (as done in previous systems), this patent converts the cooling effect into a benefit by using it to cool the supercritical fluid in the chromatography column. The pressure equalization system prevents plugging without requiring additional heating energy, thereby eliminating the energy consumption penalty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the restrictor and applies it directly to the chromatography column through the pressure equalization mechanism. By separating the cooling effect from the restrictor and applying it where needed, the system prevents restrictor plugging through pressure management rather than heating, reducing energy consumption
3Productivity
If traditional flash chromatography uses high solvent flow rates, then separation speed is improved, but solvent waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the mobile phase from liquid to supercritical fluid. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high separation speeds with significantly reduced solvent consumption, as supercritical fluids have unique properties that enhance mass transfer efficiency while requiring much lower flow rates compared to traditional liquid flash chromatography
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 achieves repeatable mass flow rates and proportionate pump performance, enabling high-pressure chromatography with disposable plastic cartridges and reduced solvent use, while preventing restrictor plugging and maintaining column integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant may be passed through a circuit with heat exchanger that does the oppose of counteract the Joule-Thomson cooling effect
Implementation Method 2
the system uses compressed refrigerant fluid flow with a positive Joule-Thomson coefficient from the refrigerant's expansion, and commensurate temperature reduction, as it flows through an expansion device
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a chiller and system that may be utilized in a supercritical fluid chromatography method, wherein a non-polar solvent may replace a portion or all of a polar solvent for the purpose of separating or extracting desired sample molecules from a combined sample/solvent stream. The system may reduce the amount of polar solvent necessary for chromatographic separation and/or extraction of desired samples. The system may incorporate a supercritical fluid chiller, a supercritical fluid pressure-equalizing vessel and a supercritical fluid cyclonic separator. The supercritical fluid chiller allows for efficient and consistent pumping of liquid-phase gases employing off-the-shelf HPLC pumps. The pressure equalizing vessel allows the use of off-the-shelf HPLC column cartridges. The system may further incorporate the use of one or more disposable cartridges containing silica gel or other suitable medium. The system may also utilize an open loop cooling circuit using fluids with a positive Joule-Thomson coefficient.