Patent ID: 7507337
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: B01D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A liquid chromatography system for characterizing a sample, the system comprising a chromatographic column comprising an inlet port for receiving a mobile phase and the sample, and an effluent port for discharging the mobile phase and separated components of the sample from the chromatographic column, a detector in fluid communication with the effluent port of the chromatographic column for detecting a property of at least one of the sample components, an injection port for injecting the sample into the mobile phase, a fluid distribution system for controlling a composition and a temperature of the mobile phase, the fluid distribution system comprising: (i) a primary mixing zone adapted to mix a first primary feed and a second primary feed to form the mobile phase, the primary mixing zone being in fluid communication with the inlet port of the chromatographic column, (ii) a first secondary mixing zone adapted to mix a first secondary feed and a second secondary feed to form the first primary feed, the first secondary mixing zone being in fluid communication with the primary mixing zone, and (iii) a second secondary mixing zone adapted to mix a third secondary feed and a fourth secondary feed to form the second primary feed, the second secondary mixing zone being in fluid communication with the primary mixing zone, and a control system for controlling the composition and the temperature of the mobile phase by using one or more control protocols selected from the group consisting of: (a) varying relative flow rates of the secondary feeds supplied to the first secondary mixing zone, (b) varying relative flow rates of the secondary feeds supplied to the second secondary mixing zone, (c) varying relative flow rates of the first primary feed and the second primary feed supplied to the primary mixing zone, and (d) combinations thereof.