Automated conversion between SFC and HPLC
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a source of CO2 supply; and
a fluidic switch configured to be selectively switched between;
a first switch position which provides a first flow path configuration through the switch for a liquid chromatographic (LC) system, and further provides a secondary flow path configuration; and
a second switch position which provides a second flow path configuration through the switch for a supercritical fluid chromatographic system,wherein the source of CO2 supply communicates with the secondary flow path configuration when the switch is in the first position, and with the second flow path configuration when the switch is in the second position.
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and process of converting a standard, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) flow path to a flow path suitable for supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) are described. This reversible technique is applied to a variety of flow configurations including binary, high pressure solvent mixing systems and quaternary, low pressure solvent mixing systems than can be conventionally operated or automated. The technique is generally applied to the fields of supercritical fluid chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography, but users skilled in the art will find utility for any flow system where pressurization components must be periodically applied to and removed from both ends of a flow stream in an automated manner.
97 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a source of CO2 supply; and a fluidic switch configured to be selectively switched between;
a first switch position which provides a first flow path configuration through the switch for a liquid chromatographic (LC) system, and further provides a secondary flow path configuration; and
a second switch position which provides a second flow path configuration through the switch for a supercritical fluid chromatographic system,wherein the source of CO2 supply communicates with the secondary flow path configuration when the switch is in the first position, and with the second flow path configuration when the switch is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of modules comprising a liquid chromatography (LC) system and a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system; and a fluidic switch, wherein the plurality of modules include; a back pressure regulator, and a pump for compressible fluids, wherein the switch is configured to be selectively switched between a first switch position and a second switch position to convert a flowpath between the LC system and the SFC system, and wherein fluidic communication is maintained between the pump and the backpressure regulator module in both the first and second switch positions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A process, comprising:
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selectively switching a liquid chromatography (LC) pump, chromatographic system components, an upstream LC solvent source, a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) compressible fluid mobile phase source, and SFC system components including a back pressure regulator between a first flow path configuration for an LC mode of operation, and a second flow path configuration for an SFC mode of operation; and maintaining fluidic communication between the SFC compressible fluid phase source and the back pressure regulator. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification