An instrument and a method for simultaneously testing a molecular weight distribution and an organic nitrogen level of a water sample are provided. The instrument comprises: a tail-end injection valve, a chromatographic column, a pressure relief valve, an acid-adding injection valve, an oxygen-adding injection valve, a helical tube for an acid-oxygen reaction, a CO.sub.2 remover, a UV digester, a second gas-water separator membrane, a buffer solution injection valve, a helical tube for a buffer solution reaction, a cadmium column, a chromogenic agent injection valve, a helical tube for a chromogenic agent reaction, and a UV detector, sequentially connected via a pipeline. The tail-end injection valve is for receiving a fluid phase and a sample. The second gas-water separator membrane is connected to an electrical conductivity-based CO2 detector. The UV detector and the electrical conductivity-based CO.sub.2 detector are connected to a data processing computer.

A microfluidic photoionization detector (PID) may include a substrate and an electrically conductive layer formed on the substrate. The electrically conductive layer may include a microchannel, and a first electrode region and a second electrode region separated from each other by the microchannel, an ohmic contact layer formed on top of the first electrode region and the second electrode region, and a light source formed on the ohmic contact layer for emitting light toward the microchannel.

A measuring instrument including: a sensor unit outputting an alternating current signal having an amplitude corresponding to a physical amount of a measurement target; a reference signal output unit outputting a reference signal having the same frequency and the same phase as those of the alternating current signal; a multiplication unit multiplying the alternating current signal and the reference signal together; an A/D conversion unit disposed before or after the multiplication unit; and an integration unit integrating a digital signal which is output of the multiplication unit, for a predetermined time. It is possible to measure a value of the physical amount of the measurement target only with a delay of one cycle of the alternating current signal.

Disclosed is an organic carbon detector that can be used with a liquid chromatography equipment such as a size exclusion chromatography. The organic carbon detector contains a carbon oxidization subsystem and a stripping and CO.sub.2 detection subsystem arranged and detachably connected with each other in said order. The carbon oxidization subsystem contains a microfluidic agent injection module (1), an inorganic carbon removal module (2), a microfluidic ultraviolet oxidation module (3) and a vacuum pumping system (4), configured to remove inorganic carbons and oxidize organic carbons. The stripping and CO.sub.2 detection subsystem contains a stripping module (7) and a CO.sub.2 detector (12), using a carrier gas to transfer the organic carbon converted gas to the CO.sub.2 detector (12). Also disclosed is a method of using the organic carbon detector in water quality monitoring.

The disclosure is directed to a system and method for control of at least one bioreactor, other cell cultivation-related equipment, and systems containing any combination of these in a plant. For example, a Plant-Wide Control System (PWCS) or a Process Control System (PCS) may be divided into three main components: hardware (including operating systems, such as a controller communicating with one or more servers of a network associated with the PWCS, (2) software (such as a control module) for performing control, and (3) one or more instrument control loops, which may be used by the software to maintain certain process values. Moreover, a Height Equivalent of a Theoretical Plate (HETP) value and an asymmetry factor may be determined based on real-time analysis on a chromatography column, using PWCS components.

An ion suppressor includes ion exchange membranes between a pair of electrodes. Regeneration liquid channels are provided in the spaces between the electrodes and the ion exchange membranes, and an eluent channel is provided between the ion exchange membranes. Ion re-exchange in the eluent on the downstream side of the eluent channel is suppressed, thereby making it possible to improve the detection sensitivity for the ion to be measured. For example, the eluent channel has a folded structure, thereby increasing the amount of current on the downstream side of the eluent channel, and thus, the accumulation of ions is suppressed, and accordingly, ion re-exchange in the eluent can be suppressed.

An ion suppressor includes ion exchange membranes between a pair of electrodes. Regeneration liquid channels are provided in the spaces between the electrodes and the ion exchange membranes, and an eluent channel is provided between the ion exchange membranes. In the space between the electrode and the eluent channel, an element that increases the resistance in the voltage application direction is disposed. For example, ion permeable membranes are disposed in contact with the ion exchange membrane, thereby increasing the resistance in the voltage application direction.

A photothermal absorbance detection apparatus comprises a flow cell comprising a first temperature responsive device on an input side, a second temperature responsive device on an output side, and a detection region between the first temperature responsive device and the second temperature responsive device; and a light-emitting device positioned proximate to the detection region and configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation towards the detection region; wherein the first temperature responsive device and the second temperature responsive device together measure a change in temperature of a fluid passing through the detection region.

A flow cell for a detector in a liquid chromatography system includes a flow cell body, an inlet, an outlet, at least two windows situated on opposing sides of the flow cell body, which are transparent for light, and at least two electrodes configured for a conductivity measurement. A detection channel is formed within said flow cell body, fluidly connecting said inlet and outlet, includes an optical path situated in between said two windows such that a light absorption measurement may be performed for a liquid passing through the detection channel, and a conductivity path formed by at least partially drilling through said electrodes to allow for a physical contact of a liquid passing through the detection channel. A detector or liquid chromatography system including such a flow cell as well as uses of the flow cell, detector or liquid chromatography system are also described.

The disclosure is directed to a system and method for control of at least one bioreactor, other cell cultivation-related equipment, and systems containing any combination of these in a plant. For example, a Plant-Wide Control System (PWCS) or a Process Control System (PCS) may be divided into three main components: hardware (including operating systems, such as a controller communicating with one or more servers of a network associated with the PWCS, (2) software (such as a control module) for performing control, and (3) one or more instrument control loops, which may be used by the software to maintain certain process values. Moreover, a Height Equivalent of a Theoretical Plate (HETP) value and an asymmetry factor may be determined based on real-time analysis on a chromatography column, using PWCS components.