Abstract: An apparatus, process, and system are disclosed that effectively provide separation of a combined gas/liquid flow stream into its separated gas and liquid factions. The invention is primarily directed to the fields of preparative supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), but will have other utilization and applicability where phases of dramatically different density, viscosity and volumetric flow require separation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pumping compressible fluids in high pressure applications such as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) applications are disclosed. An improved cooling device for a pump head for use in a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system is described. A system for chilling a pumping system, includes a Peltier cooling element in thermal contact with a pump head, wherein the cooling element chills the pump head and a mobile phase fluid flowstream prior to the mobile phase fluid entering the pump; a fluid-cooled heat exchanger, attached to the Peltier cooling element, which removes heat from the cooling element using a circulating fluid; and a second heat exchanger which cools the circulating fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pumping compressible fluids in high pressure applications such as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) applications are disclosed. An improved cooling device for a pump head for use in a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system is described. A system for chilling a pumping system, includes a Peltier cooling element in thermal contact with a pump head, wherein the cooling element chills the pump head and a mobile phase fluid flowstream prior to the mobile phase fluid entering the pump; a fluid-cooled heat exchanger, attached to the Peltier cooling element, which removes heat from the cooling element using a circulating fluid; and a second heat exchanger which cools the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A system for chilling a pumping system includes a Peltier cooling element, and first and second heat exchangers. The Peltier element is arranged near a pump head of a pump such that the Peltier element and the pump head are in thermal contact, where the Peltier element chills the pump head and a mobile phase flowstream prior to fluid from the mobile phase flowstream entering the pump. The first heat exchanger is attached to the Peltier element, and removes heat from the Peltier element using a circulating fluid. The second heat exchanger cools the circulating fluid, where the Peltier element and the pump head are arranged in an area that is isolated from the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for back pressure regulator used in liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction allows very fine automated control over a very wide range of pressures by combining a linear actuator compressing a spring, pushing a pin. The nozzle assembly of the regulator comprises a flow through chamber containing a diaphragm and a seat, in which the pin pushes the diaphragm against the seat, together with an upstream pressure sensor and electronic feedback control to the motor of the actuator. The BPR of the embodiments exhibits high pressure stability and extremely low pressure noise, even at moderate to high pressures. The exemplary BPR can be use at either constant pressure or to generate pressure programs where the pressure is varied versus time. Further, the nozzle assembly has a field-replaceable head, requiring no mechanical adjustment on replacement.

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.

Abstract: A device includes a gas-liquid separator that receives and separates a biphasic pressurized flow stream and delivers flow to at least one exit port enriched in vapor phase composition and at least one exit port enriched in liquid phase composition. The device further includes a low restriction inlet conduit in communication with the separator exit port enriched in liquid phase composition, and a positive displacement pump having an inlet port in communication with the inlet conduit to receive flow from the gas-liquid separator and an outlet port in communication with an outlet conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus, process, and system are disclosed that effectively provide separation of a combined gas/liquid flow stream into its separated gas and liquid factions. The invention is primarily directed to the fields of preparative supercritical fluid chromatography [SFC] and supercritical fluid extraction [SFE], but will have other utilization and applicability where phases of dramatically different density, viscosity and volumetric flow require separation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pumping compressible fluids in high pressure applications such as high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) applications are disclosed. An improved cooling device for a pump head for use in a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system is described. A system for chilling a pumping system, includes a Peltier cooling element in thermal contact with a pump head, wherein the cooling element chills the pump head and a mobile phase fluid flowstream prior to the mobile phase fluid entering the pump; a fluid-cooled heat exchanger, attached to the Peltier cooling element, which removes heat from the cooling element using a circulating fluid; and a second heat exchanger which cools the circulating fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and process to effectively create an active drain for high and low pressure gas-liquid separator. The invention accomplishes a deterministic drainage rate of variable volume and viscosity liquid fractions from the separator. The mechanisms and methods thereof create a flow path from the separator that dramatically favors controlled liquid flow over a wide range of flow rates and viscosities while restricting gas flow. The invention is a superior method of drainage over conventional systems that employ pressure, vacuum, isolation valves and/or passive flow restrictors to achieve drainage of the separators. The embodiments are primarily directed to the fields of preparative supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). An advantage of one embodiment allows the economical conversion of typical HPLC systems to state of-the-art supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) systems with minimal modification to system components.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for back pressure regulator used in liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction allows very fine automated control over a very wide range of pressures by combining a linear actuator compressing a spring, pushing a pin. The nozzle assembly of the regulator comprises a flow through chamber containing a diaphragm and a seat, in which the pin pushes the diaphragm against the seat, together with an upstream pressure sensor and electronic feedback control to the motor of the actuator. The BPR of the embodiments exhibits high pressure stability and extremely low pressure noise, even at moderate to high pressures. The exemplary BPR can be use at either constant pressure or to generate pressure programs where the pressure is varied versus time. Further, the nozzle assembly has a field-replaceable head, requiring no mechanical adjustment on replacement.

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.

Abstract: An invention is claimed that enables the pumping of compressible fluids at high pressures when an accurate flow is desired. Two pressure sources, for example pumps plumbed in series, separate thermodynamic work, such as pressurization, at the first pressure source from a volumetric or matter metering function in the second pressure source. One example is a flowstream delivery for a chemical instrumentation system that is manufactured from relatively unsophisticated pumps yet delivers precise flows with low pulsation (<1%) over pressures greater than 100 bar. An advantage of one embodiment allows the economical conversion of typical HPLC systems to state of-the-art supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) systems with minimal modification to system components.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for back pressure regulator used in liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction allows very fine automated control over a very wide range of pressures by combining a linear actuator compressing a spring, pushing a pin. The nozzle assembly of the regulator comprises a flow through chamber containing a diaphragm and a seat, in which the pin pushes the diaphragm against the seat, together with an upstream pressure sensor and electronic feedback control to the motor of the actuator. The BPR of the embodiments exhibits high pressure stability and extremely low pressure noise, even at moderate to high pressures. The exemplary BPR can be use at either constant pressure or to generate pressure programs where the pressure is varied versus time. Further, the nozzle assembly has a field-replaceable head, requiring no mechanical adjustment on replacement.

Abstract: An invention is claimed that enables the pumping of compressible fluids at high pressures when an accurate flow is desired. Two pressure sources, for example pumps plumbed in series, separate thermodynamic work, such as pressurization, at the first pressure source from a volumetric or matter metering function in the second pressure source. One example is a flowstream delivery for a chemical instrumentation system that is manufactured from relatively unsophisticated pumps yet delivers precise flows with low pulsation (<1 %) over pressures greater than 100 bar. An advantage of one embodiment allows the economical conversion of typical HPLC systems to state of-the-art supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) systems with minimal modification to system components.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method in a high-pressure chromatography system, such as a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system, that uses a pump as a pressure source for precision pumping of a compressible fluid. The preferred exemplary embodiment comprises a pressure regulation assembly installed downstream from a compressible fluid pump but prior to combining the compressible flow with a relatively incompressible modifier flow stream. The present invention allows the replacement of an high-grade SFC pump in the compressible fluid flow stream with an inexpensive and imprecise pump. The imprecise pump becomes capable of moving the compressible fluid flow stream in a precise flow rate and pattern. The assembly dampens the damaging effects of an imprecise pump, such as large pressure oscillations caused by flow ripples and noisy pressure signals that do not meet precise SFC pumping requirements.

Abstract: A mobile phase collection device for increasing the total collectible volume of a liquid fraction that is collected in supercritical fluid chromatography or liquid chromatography includes a collection vessel assembly that is suitable for increasing the total collectable volume of a liquid phase fraction while using a relatively smaller collection vessel. A vessel extender is attached to an attachment end of a relatively smaller collection vessel, resulting in the ability to increase the total volumetric size of a collection vessel. The extended vessel assembly can be used throughout an entire purification and dry down process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for sample fi-action collection in chromatography, and more specifically for using an extended vessel assembly that increases the total collectible volume of a liquid sample fraction in a single collection vessel in an automated system for collection, purification, and storage of purified sample fractions. The system uses an extended vessel assembly to provide collection of substantially large volumes of liquid fractions from chromatography system, such as a preparatory scale supercritical fluid chromatography (Prep Scale SFC) or preparatory scale liquid chromatography (Prep Scale LC), into a single collection vessel. The invention improves productivity while reducing the need for sample transfer between vessels and reducing the risk of human error. The collected liquid solvent is removed after purification using one of several types of evaporation devices or techniques, such as evaporation at moderate temperature under a vacuum with liquid agitation.

Abstract: A system for collection of liquid phase sample fractions from a supercritical fluid chromatography system is disclosed. The system has different ways of gathering the liquid phase into a collection chamber and provides for automated removal of liquid phase from a collection chamber into separate collection container. A separate pressure scheme is invoked upon the collection chambers to move liquid phase out of a chamber and into the separate collection container. In addition, the invention provides a renewal system for the collection chambers where each chamber returns to an uncontaminated stated by washing with a cleaning solution after removal of collected liquid phase. Spent cleaner from a chamber is purged using the pressure system into a waste stream for disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a pump for use in a flow stream containing a mixture of highly compressed gas, compressible liquid or supercritical fluid wherein the pump delivers a compressible fluid against a back-pressure regulator which in turn delivers a controllable flow rate downstream of the regulator without performing variable compressibility compensation adjustments on the pump. By using a pressurized source of compressible fluid combined with isocratic conditions, the delivery pressure from the pump is controlled at a rate higher than the downstream gradient with the back-pressure regulator, and an inexpensive pump may be used in place of specialized, expensive pumps and compressibility compensation systems for use in stems operating at or near supercritical fluid levels of compressible fluids. Significant capital and operating laboratory costs are saved through a simpler and cheaper system for accurately delivering compressible fluids into mobile phase flow streams.