Patent ID: 6345528
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: B01D,B01J,C40B,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A liquid chromatography system for characterizing a polymer sample, the system comprisingan enclosure defining a heated environment, the heated environment being maintained at a temperature of not less than about 75Â° C., a chromatographic column residing in the heated environment, the chromatographic column comprising a stationary phase within a separation cavity, an inlet port for receiving a mobile phase and a polymer sample to the separation cavity, and an effluent port for discharging the mobile phase and the polymer sample or separated components thereof from the separation cavity, an injection valve for injecting polymer samples into the mobile phase, a first reservoir for containing a first mobile phase fluid, the first reservoir being adapted to maintain the first mobile phase fluid at a first temperature, a second reservoir for containing a second mobile phase fluid, the second reservoir being adapted to maintain the second mobile phase fluid at a second temperature, a mixing zone adaptable for fluid communication with the first reservoir and the second reservoir for mixing of the first and second mobile phases, the mixing zone being further adaptable for fluid communication with the inlet port of the chromatographic column, a control system for controlling the temperature of the mobile phase in the mixing zone by varying the relative amounts of the first and second mobile-phase fluids supplied to the mixing zone, and a detector in fluid communication with the effluent port of the chromatographic column for detecting a property of at least one of the separated sample components.