Abstract:
A multi-dimensional liquid analysis system includes a flow splitter for separating mobile phase outflow from a first dimension liquid analysis system into first and second liquid split outlet flows. Volumetric flow rate control of the split outlet flows is provided by a flow control pump which withdraws one of the split outlet flows from the flow splitter at a controlled withdrawal flow rate to define the other split outlet flow rate as the difference between the outflow rate from the first dimension system and the withdrawal flow rate. In this manner, accurate and consistent flow division can be accomplished, which is particularly useful for multi-dimensional liquid analysis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/466,739, filed on Mar. 23, 2011 and entitled “Valve and Splitting System for Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography,” the content of which being incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     This invention was made with government support under GM054585 awarded by the National Institutes of Health and CHE0911330 awarded by the National Science Foundation. The government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to flow systems used in analytical chemistry, and more particularly to a splitting system for splitting mobile phase flow in a multi-dimensional liquid chromatography apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Separation techniques such as high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) are commonly used in analytical chemistry. However, HPLC is limited by the resolution which can be achieved using a single chromatographic separation column. Attempts have been made to combine two or more liquid chromatographs into a hybrid instrument to achieve enhanced resolution of more compounds than can be achieved in a single separation column. As sample complexity has increased over the years, a need has arisen for greater resolving power than that achievable through the use of a single HPLC column. 
     Some analytical instruments involve the combination of HPLC and mass spectrometry for further identification of the sample. Typical mass spectrometers, however, analyze a significantly lower flow rate than the flow rate typically passed through a HPLC separation column. Analysts have therefore attempted to operate such combined instrumentation by reducing the HPLC mobile phase flow rate to a less than optimum value so that the outflow rate from the HPLC separation matches the liquid flow capacity of the mass spectrometer. Such reduction in flow rate through the HPLC column tends to reduce the available chromatographic resolution. To avoid the reduction in HPLC resolution, flow splitters have been employed in a full-flow regime to split a portion of the flow from the outlet of the HPLC column or detector to the inlet of the mass spectrometer, and the balance of the flow to another detector or to waste. Typical commercial flow splitters make use of resistive tubing elements to split the liquid flow into two or more distinct flow streams. Example flow splitters are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,914, and European patent application Publication No. EP 495255A1. Resistive division of liquid flow is difficult to maintain at uniform levels. Factors such as variable viscosity of the mobile phase, temperature, and any variations in the flow path during the analysis may cause the split ratio between the respective flow paths to change. Such variability becomes of particular concern when multiple dimension liquid chromatography is practiced. 
     One example chromatographic application where mobile phase splitting is desirable is two-dimensional liquid chromatography (or LC*LC), wherein the first dimension HPLC column effluent is introduced into a second dimension HPLC column, with no portion of the first dimension separation not being introduced into the second dimension column for subsequent “second dimension” separation. Those of ordinary skill in the art of HPLC analysis understand the various techniques are known for injecting a sample into a chromatographic column. In many cases, a sample volume is established in a multi-port valve, and thereafter injected into the chromatographic column by a fluid force generated by a pump. Samples may be introduced into a flowing mobile phase stream. 
     Theoretically, it is desirable to have the entire volume of the first dimension separation injected into the second dimension separation column, though such an approach remains impractical as the rate of the effluent from the first separation column is far too great to be directly injected into the second separation column. Traditionally, therefore, analysis of the “first dimension” separation has been accomplished by collection of the total volume of the effluent from the first separation column by fraction collection, and then re-injecting a representative sample of each fraction into the second dimension separation column. 
     In addition to flow rate mismatch, the developing chromatogram in the first dimension may contain increasing relative concentrations of organic solvent. The increasing relative concentration of organic solvent may be a result of the particular liquid chromatographic approach, in which an organic solvent is injected into the separation column after an aqueous mobile phase. As the relative concentration of organic solvent increases in the first dimension separation, injection of a fixed volume from the first dimension into the second dimension chromatograph further increases the relative organic solvent concentration during the second dimension separation. Under some conditions, injecting large volumes of organic solvent into the second dimension chromatograph is destructive to the second dimension separation. As the variation in organic solvent versus time occurs in the first dimension separation, the flow rate exiting from standard resistive flow splitters disposed downstream from the first separation column becomes unpredictable. Analysts therefore find it difficult to know the actual flow rate of sample available for injection into the second dimension separation column. An understanding of the sample flow rate is critical to control the organic solvent concentration in the second dimension separation column, and to ensure that no portion of the first dimension chromatograph is unsampled in the second dimension separation. Typical resistive flow splitters are not capable of providing analysts with the necessary information to consistently control analysis in the second dimension. Because of the limitations of standard resistive flow splitters, LC*LC has not enjoyed wide usage in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A flow splitting system includes a T-style junction having an inlet for receiving fluid exiting a first HPLC system separation column, a first outlet for permitting indirectly flow controlled outflow therefrom, the first outlet being fluidly coupled to a flow restricting device, and a second outlet for permitting directly flow controlled outflow therefrom. The second outlet is fluidly coupled to a positive displacement pump operable in a negative displacement mode or a positive displacement mode. The flow restricting device creates a pressure in the junction from 1 kilopascal to 10,000 kilopascals, and is an adjustable pressure regulator. The system further includes a positive displacement pump and valve system wherein a 3-port shear type valve is used to connect a pump piston and barrel to either the junction or to waste. 
     In some embodiments, the positive displacement pump is capable of being driven at a constant rate in the negative displacement mode and is capable of withstanding pressure caused by the flow restricting device connected to the first outlet of the junction. 
     In some embodiments, the positive displacement pump is driven at a variable rate in the negative displacement mode. 
     In some embodiments, the positive displacement pump is driven at a negative volume displacement rate which is less than the rate of solvent inflow into the junction from the first dimension HPLC system. 
     In some embodiments, a 6-port sample injection valve for a second dimension HPLC system is placed between the positive displacement pump and the second outlet of the junction. 
     In some embodiments, a 10-port valve configured as a dual-loop injector for a second dimension HPLC system is placed between the positive displacement pump and the second outlet of the junction. 
     In some embodiments, the first outlet of the junction is connected to an inlet of a mass spectrometer. 
     In some embodiments, a draw time in which the positive displacement pump draws sample into the second dimension injection valve is equal to or slightly less or slightly more than an analysis time for a second dimension separation. 
     In some embodiments, an injection loop volume in the second dimension 6-port injection valve is either partially filled or fully filled during a time of analysis of a previously injected sample and at a rate such that a complete representative sampling of all compounds exiting from the first dimension HPLC system enter a sample loop in the second dimension injection valve. 
     In some embodiments, injection of the sample contained within the sample loop of the second dimension injection valve takes place within one time standard deviation of any analysis peak in a separation of the sample performed by the first dimension HPLC system separation column. 
     In some embodiments, the time that the second dimension injection valve remains in an inject position is less than 10 percent of the total analysis time of the second dimension HPLC system separation column. 
     A flow splitting system for liquid chromatography includes a T-style junction having an inlet for receiving fluid exiting a first HPLC system flow-through detector, a first outlet for permitting indirectly flow controlled outflow therefrom, the first outlet being fluidly coupled to a flow restricting device, and a second outlet for permitting directly controlled outflow therefrom. The second outlet is fluidly coupled to a positive displacement pump operable in a negative displacement mode or a positive displacement mode. The flow restricting device creates a pressure in the junction from 1 kilopascal to 10,000 kilopascals, or the maximum backpressure that said detector can withstand, and the flow restricting device is an adjustable pressure regulator. The system further includes a positive displacement pump and valve system wherein a 3-port shear type valve is used to connect a pump piston and barrel to either the junction or to waste. 
     In some embodiments, the positive displacement pump is capable of being driven at a constant rate in the negative displacement mode and is capable of withstanding pressure caused by the flow restricting device connected to the first outlet of the junction. 
     In some embodiments, the positive displacement pump is driven at a negative volume displacement rate which is less than the rate of solvent inflow into the junction from a first dimension HPLC system. 
     In some embodiments, a 6-port sample injection valve for a second dimension HPLC system fluidly coupled between the positive displacement pump and the second outlet of the junction. 
     In some embodiments, a 10-port injection valve configured as a dual-loop injector for a second dimension HPLC system is fluidly coupled between the positive displacement pump and the second outlet of the junction. 
     In some embodiments, the first outlet of the junction is connected to an inlet of a mass spectrometer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  a schematic view of a system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  a schematic view of a system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  a schematic view of a system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  a schematic view of a system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  a schematic view of a system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  a schematic view of a system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     To effectuate consistent splitting of effluent flow from a first dimension analysis column in a manner to preserve the first dimension separation resolution, a positive displacement pump, such as a syringe pump, may be employed in a negative displacement mode to intake fluid at a specific rate from one outlet of a flow splitter. The resultant flow from a second outlet of the flow splitter is also therefore controlled. Such control dictates that the flow rate in both outlets of the split is known. 
     A first schematic diagram of an arrangement of the present invention is provided in  FIG. 1 . Analysis system  10  includes a first dimension separation system  12 , and a second dimension separation system  14 , wherein mobile phase is driven through a first dimension separation column  16  by a first dimension pump  18 . First dimension outflow  20  from column  16  may be delivered to a first dimension chromatographic detector  22 , or may first be split by a flow splitter. Flow rate into flow splitter  24  is controlled by first dimension pump  18 , which defines the flow rate of mobile phase through first dimension column  16 . Flow splitter  24  may comprise a T-style junction fitting having a first inlet and first and second outlets, such as that available from Kinesis-USA as a “Micro-Splitter Valve 10-32/6-32 Port 55 Needle (EA)”. In the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a first outlet  26  from flow splitter  24  comprises a waste stream, while a second outlet  28  from flow splitter  24  is at least intermittently fluidly coupled to flow control pump  30 . In other embodiments, however, first outlet  26  may comprise a flow stream of known flow rate for delivery to a secondary analysis system, such as a mass spectrometer. System  10  is arranged such that first outlet  26  need only have sufficient flow restriction to avoid over-pressurization of pump  30  during the time that pump  30  controls fluid flow through second outlet  28 . In such a manner, control is exerted over both first and second outlets  26 ,  28  of flow splitter  24  through control of the fill rate of pump  30  in a negative displacement mode. Consequently, no additional unswept volume is interposed between flow splitter  24  and any detection means (such as a mass spectrometer) fluidly coupled to first outlet  26 . 
     Analysis system  10  performs chemical analysis of liquid sample pumped into first and second dimension columns  16 ,  34 . For the purposes of this invention, first and second dimension “columns” may be construed broadly, so as to include analysis modalities that do not necessarily involve a column. For example, one or more of the dimensions may involve liquid chromatography, HPLC, preparative-scale liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid analysis, gel permeation chromatography, mass spectrometry, other spectrometry or chromatography analysis, and combinations thereof. In a particular application, the first and second dimensions are each chromatographic columns for evaluating a liquid sample. In some embodiments, such liquid chromatography may be “high pressure liquid chromatography” or “high performance liquid chromatography” (HPLC), which is a common technique for performing chromatographic separations of solutions of compounds delivered to an injection valve or “autosampler” by pump for injection into the chromatographic separation column. Liquids and liquid mixtures used to transport the compounds are referred to herein as the “mobile phase”. The “stationary phase” of liquid chromatography is typically the packing materials within the separation columns  16 ,  34 . 
     As indicated above, flow control pump  30  may typically be a positive displacement pump having a displacement volume that is filled in a negative displacement mode, and discharged in a positive displacement mode. An example positive displacement pump is a syringe pump, in which a plunger within a cylinder acts in a negative displacement mode to draw liquid into the cylinder through controlled withdrawal of the plunger that creates a negative pressure within the cylinder to draw liquid therein. Movement of the plunger in an opposite direction establishes a “positive displacement mode”, wherein a positive pressure is created in the cylinder, so that the contents of the cylinder are discharged therefrom. 
     Flow control pump  30  may be placed downstream of any valve in second outlet stream  28 , such that splitting of outflow  20  may be precisely controlled at known rates by controlling the rate at which pump  30  draws fluid through second outlet stream  28 . So long as the second outlet stream  28  does not exceed the total flow rate at outlet flow  20 , flow volume versus time is known precisely in both first and second outlet streams  26 ,  28 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , splitter  24  may be positioned between an outlet of first dimension column  16  and a second dimension injection valve  32 . Depending upon the maximum volume of the first dimension mobile phase from outlet  20  to be injected into second dimension separation column  34 , a fixed volume sample loop  36  of such maximum volume may be incorporated with the second dimension injection valve  32  in the form of a tube, channel, or other vessel capable of temporarily containing the volume of sample mobile phase. Sample loop  36  is more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with second dimension injection valve  32  being a 6-port injection valve, as is known in the art. In this embodiment, sample loop  36  has a volume that is equal to or greater than the desired sample volume deliverable to the second dimension column  34 . The programmed flow rate of pump  30  may be substantially equal to such sample volume divided by the analysis time required of the second dimension column  34 . Such calculated withdrawal flow rate of flow stream  42  ensures that a representative sample of all mobile phase passing through flow splitter  24  is delivered to second dimension column  34 . The following sets forth a relationship for an example control scheme for pump  30  to establish an appropriate withdrawal flow rate from first dimension outflow  20 , and to therefore retain a sufficient second dimension sample delivery flow rate to ensure complete chromatographic analysis of mobile phase in second outlet stream  28 :
 
 F   c   ≦V   L /( T   2a   +T   2e )
 
Wherein,
 
     F c =controlled flow rate at pump flow stream  42   
     V L =volume of sample loop  36   
     T 2a =analysis time of second dimension column  34   
     T 2e =equilibration time of second dimension 
     The “equilibration time” of the second dimension is the time required to “flush” the second dimension column of an opposite-phase solvent. For example, certain HPLC analyses are performed by first passing an aqueous phase through the column, followed by an organic phase, with the sample being injected as appropriate into one or both of the aqueous/organic phases. The sample is eluted through the chromatographic column through the sequence of alternating aqueous/organic phases. Once the sample has finished eluting through the chromatographic column, it is desired that the column be “cleared” of any remaining aqueous/organic phase that is opposite to the initial mobile phase in the subsequent sample analysis. Therefore, in the example of a sample tested with first an aqueous phase, followed by an organic phase, such organic phase is preferably “flushed” from the column with blank aqueous phase (such as water) prior to initiating the subsequent sample sequence. This “flushing” time is the “equilibration time” utilized in the above relationship. 
     An alternative embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , wherein first dimension detector  22  is positioned downstream of flow splitter  24  in fluid communication with first outlet stream  26 . A flow restrictor  50  may be employed downstream of detector  22 , or between splitter  24  and first dimension detector  22 , in order to provide sufficient flow restriction to enable pump  30  to operably control flow division at splitter  24 . Positioning flow restrictor  50  upstream of first dimension detector  22  may eliminate back pressure applied to detector  22  to improve sampling accuracy. In any case, however, flow restrictor  50  is optionally included, and is not necessary for the operation of the present invention. 
     A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wherein second dimension injection valve  32  is a 10-port valve, as is known in the art. In such embodiment, two distinct flow paths may be established for use as a double loop injector. In a first flow path, sample may be directed through a first sample loop  36   a  directly, while in a second flow path, sample may be directed through a second sample loop  36   b  on valve  32 . The difference in flow paths and the difference in resistance to flow is negated when using a flow splitter driven by a pump  30  as described herein. First sample loop  36   a  may be filled while the sample within second sample loop  36   b  is analyzed in second dimension column  34 . In this case, pump  30  may be operated in a negative displacement mode to draw mobile phase from first dimension outlet stream  20  sequentially into each of first and second sample loops  36   a ,  36   b . The draw rate through second outlet  28  may be such that the sample loop volume being filled represents a volume suitable to be consumed over the entire time of the analysis and the equilibration of the second dimension analysis (T 2a +T 2e ). First and second sample loops  36   a ,  36   b  may be alternately filled and injected to second dimension column  34 . An advantage of this technique is that each sample loop  36   a ,  36   b  is fully washed by the mobile phase of the second dimension over the entire time of analysis to eliminate carryover. 
     A waste discharge cycle of pump  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . A valve  54  may be employed to alternate between intake of mobile phase through flow stream  42  (as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 ) and discharge to waste  56  through waste flow line  58  (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). In one embodiment, syringe pump  30  may be operated in a positive displacement mode to discharge its accumulated contents in a discharge time period (T d ) that is less than one standard deviation in time for an analysis peak occurring in the first dimension separation. In this manner, no particular chromatographic analysis peak remains unsampled in the second dimension chromatograph  34 . In one embodiment, therefore, discharge time T d  may be less than about 1 second. 
     Discharge from the pump  30  may occur only at intervals in which the mobile phase substantially fills the displacement volume of pump  30 . For example, first and second sample loops  36   a ,  36   b  may each be 20 microliters in volume, while syringe pump  30  may have a displacement volume of 5 ml. As a result, the displacement volume of pump  30  may become filled only after 125 injections into the second dimension chromatograph  34 . 
     A further embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , wherein system  110  includes a flow splitter  124  disposed downstream from a first dimension column  116 . First outlet stream  126  from flow splitter  124  is fluidly coupled to an inlet of a secondary analysis device  170 , such as a mass spectrometer. A second outlet stream  128  from flow splitter  124  is fluidly coupled to a pump  130  to control the flow rate division at flow splitter  124 . As described above, pump  130  programmably removes solvent from outflow stream  120  at a desired rate, such that the inlet flow rate to secondary analysis device  170  though first outlet stream  126  is equal to outlet flow rate  120  from first dimension column  116 , less the flow rate being drawn into pump  130  through second outlet stream  128 . 
     Fluid flow into the head of a liquid chromatographic column is not always the total flow delivered to the inlet of the first dimension pump  18  if the pump  18  is used to mix the mobile phase components, such as in gradient elution chromatography. Such an effect is caused by volumetric shrinkage of mixing, which results in the mixed mobile phase volume being less than the sum of the two individual liquid volumes. To accommodate such volumetric shrinkage of mixing, pump  30 ,  130  may be programmed according to the concentration of individual components of the mobile phase. An example relationship for such pump programming may be as follows:
 
 F   i   =k*F   o  
 
Wherein:
 
     F i =indirect flow rate 
     k=volumetric shrinkage factor 
     F o =flow rate at outlet  120   
     Although an HPLC pump delivers a constant flow of each individual solvent to a mixing point, the total flow rate from the mixing point may be different from the sum of the individual liquid flows. As such, flow into an HPLC column may be greater than the flow rate out of the HPLC column when temperature is constant. The pump  30 ,  130  may therefore be adjusted to accommodate a difference between the inlet and outlet flow rates. Moreover, if the first dimension HPLC column  16 ,  116  is heated, the use of a pressurized, negative displacement flow splitter permits all points of the second outlet stream  28 ,  128  to be pressurized such that boiling or outgassing of the mobile phase will not cause intermittent flow. In fact, when a first dimension column  16 ,  116  is heated, the use of negative displacement flow splitting may be the only effective method for loading the sample loop of the injector without boiling of the solvent.