Abstract:
Described are a method and an apparatus for delivering a fluid having a desired mass composition. According to the method, temperatures of the fluids to be mixed are sensed and the densities of the fluids at the sensed temperatures are determined. The volume of each fluid is determined so that a mixture of the fluids at the sensed temperatures has the desired mass composition. The determined volumes of the fluids are combined to create the mixture. In one option, combining the determined volumes includes metering flows of the fluids sequentially into a common fluid channel. Alternatively, combining the determined volumes includes controlling a flow rate of each of the fluids and directing the fluids into a common fluid channel.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems and apparatus for controlling pressure in a CO2-based chromatography system. A first pressure control element is located downstream of a CO2-based chromatography system and is disposed to control pressure within the column. A split restrictor is located downstream of the primary pressure control element and is disposed to divert a portion of the mobile phase flow to a detector. A second pressure control element is located downstream of the split restrictor and is disposed to control pressure at the restrictor. While the first pressure control element executes a pressure-controlled gradient separation, the second pressure control element maintains a constant pressure at the restrictor. During a composition-programmed gradient separation, the second control element maintains a constant pressure at the split restrictor while the first pressure control element maintains a constant average density across the column.
Abstract:
A passive pre-heater assembly includes a thermally conductive heat-spreading block and a plurality of passive pre-heaters in thermally conductive communication with the heat-spreading block. The plurality of the pre-heaters exchanges heat with the thermally conductive heat-spreading block. Each pre-heater includes a thermally conductive base in thermal communication with the heat-spreading block, and a plurality of thermally conductive fins is in thermal communication with the thermally conductive base. The plurality of fins of each pre-heater exchanges heat convectively with ambient air and conductively with the thermally conductive base of that pre-heater. A given one of the passive pre-heaters further comprises a tube in thermally conductive contact with the thermally conductive base of the given passive pre-heater. The thermally conductive heat-spreading block exchanges heat with a fluid passing through the tube of the given passive pre-heater.
Abstract:
Methods for transferring a carbon dioxide based separation procedure from a reference chromatographic system to a target chromatographic system involve alternative techniques for determining system pressure drops not attributable to the column. One technique involves leveraging experimental chromatography to develop a correction factor that is a function of at least one correction coefficient and at least one ratio of the differential analyte retention time to the retention time in the reference system. Another technique involves leveraging other experimental measurements of tubing pressure drops under various condition to develop a lookup table that can be used to identify likely tubing pressure drops in the target system. A third technique leverages knowledge of the separation procedure and the target system and the likely nature of the relevant flow to calculate tubing pressure drops in the target system.
Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular solenoid valve kits and associated methods, generally involving a valve body that includes a plurality of actuator section components and a plurality of head section components. The plurality of actuator section components includes a drive solenoid, a solenoid return spring, a stroke calibration collar and an actuator-to-head calibration collar. The plurality of head section components includes a needle, a stem return spring, a seal and a seat. The plurality of actuator section components and head section components are adapted to be interchanged to create a pull-through normally open valve, a pull-through normally closed valve, a push-in normally open valve and a push-in normally closed valve. That is, the kits and methods allow for modification of one valve type (e.g., a pull-through normally open valve, a pull-through normally closed valve, a push-in normally open valve and a push-in normally closed valve) into a different type.
Abstract:
The invention generally provides a dynamic back pressure regulator. In an exemplary embodiment, the back pressure regulator includes an inlet, an outlet, a seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet and defining at least part of a fluid pathway, and a needle displaceable relative to the seat to form a restriction region therebetween for restricting fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. In some embodiments, the needle can include a corrosion and/or erosion resistant polymer tip.
Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments are directed to devices, methods and systems capable of pressurization, generally involving a flow system that includes a pressurized reservoir, at least one pump including a pump control valve, an outlet port, a shut-off valve and a vent valve. The flow system is configured to be pressurized. The shut-off valve is disposed between the pressurized reservoir and the at least one pump. The vent valve is disposed between the at least one pump and the outlet port. The shut-off valve, the vent valve and the pump control valve of the at least one pump are configured to actuate in a coordinated manner to control a pressurization of the flow system. Exemplary embodiments are further directed to devices, methods and systems for column switching, generally including at least a first column, a second column and a column switching valve.
Abstract:
The invention generally provides a dynamic back pressure regulator. In exemplary embodiments, the back pressure regulator includes an inlet, an outlet, a seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet and defining at least part of a fluid pathway, and a needle displaceable relative to the seat to form a restriction region therebetween for restricting fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. In some embodiments, the needle can be formed of a chemically resistant ceramic or have a metal plating to provide corrosion and/or erosion resistance.
Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to manipulating pressure-related hysteresis in a pressurized flow system by setting the pressure of the system to a predetermined location in the hysteresis band to advantageously minimize an effect of the pressure related hysteresis on the pressure of the system or to advantageously benefit from the effects of the hysteresis on the pressure of the system.
Abstract:
Described is a method of reducing liquid composition errors in a low-pressure mixing pump system. Packets representing the switching intervals of each component of the desired fluid mixture are provided to an intake of the mixing pump system. For each packet, a switching time associated with at least one of the components in the packet is modulated. Modulated switching times are based on time offsets that are specifically selected according to the undesirable frequency characteristic of an intake response of the mixing pump system. The average of the volumes contributed by the packets thus modulated is equal to a component volume that achieves a desired proportion of the component in the output flow of the mixing pump system. Modulated switching times enable the reduction or elimination of composition error in the output flow of the mixing pump system.