Sampling and Sample Preparation Using An Online LHR
One of the common techniques for extracting IPC samples from an automated flow reactor includes flow-cell. The flow-path inside the flow-cell maintains fluid communication with the reactor at all time. A pierceable membrane, which constitutes a barrier that holds the liquid inside the flow-path, allows for a syringe with a needle to aspirate IPC samples from the flowing stream. While the flow-cell technique has been in practice for many chemical and biochemical applications for decades, the pressure rating of the membrane limits the overall pressure tolerance of the flow reactor. Alternatively, an LSV can also extract an IPC sample from a flow reactor into a sampling loop. The isolated IPC sample can then be directly injected into an analytics. However, if the IPC sample requires a chemical treatment before the sample can qualify as an injectable, the IPC sample needs to be dispensed into a sampling vial first using an LHR or an autosampler. The cost of such an LHR rises rapidly as the LHR gets equipped with multiple robotic arms (one for analytical injection and at least one other for dispensing fluids into the sampling vial). We developed two unique solutions to make such complex fluid management possible from a single arm LHR/autosampler devices in collaboration with an LHR manufacturer. The first solution includes a programmable injection syringe that consists of at least one port on the side of the syringe which allows IPC samples to pass through when the port is opened from a remote controller. The second option includes a programmable robotic arm that grips various liquid-handling objects on command from a remote station.
Please contact us to learn more about single-arm autosampling methods for complex sample preparations,