A fraction collector controller includes a threshold storing part, a peak detecting part, a number-of-points-of-data setting part, and a control part. The peak detecting part retrieves, at regular intervals, signals that are from a detector of a liquid chromatograph and are used as points of data, and detects a start point and an end point of a peak by comparing a signal strength and/or an inclination of each of the points of data with the threshold(s). The number-of-points-of-data setting part is configured to set a number of the points of data with which the peak detecting part compares the threshold(s) to detect a start point and an end point of a peak.

A preparative liquid chromatograph including an analysis channel (2), an injector (6), a separation column (8), a detector (10), a plurality of fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n), a switching valve (12) that switches fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n) to be connected to the outlet of the detector (10) among the plurality of fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n), and a controller (16) for controlling operations of the plurality of fraction collectors (14-1 to 14-n) and the switching valve (12). In a case where the number of remaining unused collection containers of the fraction collector in use, which is connected to the outlet of the detector, falls below the number of buffers which is an integer of two or more, the controller (16) is configured to switch the switching valve (12) while the fraction collector in use is not performing a peak collection operation.

Provided is a preparative liquid chromatograph capable of coping with a case where actual second delay time changes after start of a fractionation sequence. When a specific component detected as a peak in both a first detector and a second detector is injected during execution of a fractionation sequence, a control device executes maintenance operation of time difference information stored in an information storage area. In the maintenance operation, the control device executes peak determination as to whether or not a difference between first retention time and second retention time falls within a predetermined allowable range. By the above, the control device checks whether or not the second delay time from when a component is detected by the second detector to when the component reaches a fraction collector changes from a previous state.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling fraction collection of a target product 27 in a chromatography system 49 configured for cyclic purification performed on a sample comprising the target product 27. The method comprises determining trigger points for target product 27 collection in relation to presence of target product in the outlet; setting a first time period based on the trigger points within which the elution in the first cycle is captured; evaluating timing of the captured elution to identify the next time period; applying the timing to capture elution during the elution phase in the following cycle; and collecting the captured elution in the following cycle. The last three steps are repeated to capture the elution during the elution phase of the following cycles until no more target product 27 is desired.

Provided is a preparative separation chromatograph including: a chromatograph 10 having a detector 15; a fraction collector 20; a controller 34 for commanding the fraction collector to initiate a component-collecting operation with reference to a point when the rate of change in an output signal from the detector 15 exceeds a positive reference value and to discontinue the operation with reference to a point when the absolute value of the rate of change becomes smaller than that of a negative reference value after the rate of change turns negative; a storage section 31 for storing sampling-rate information which relates the value of the output signal to the time interval at which the controller determines the rate of change; and a sampling rate determiner 33 for determining the time interval for calculating the rate of change based on the sampling-rate information and actual values of the output signal.

A moving section that moves in the horizontal plane direction at above a collection container section where collection containers are set is provided with a nozzle holding section for holding a nozzle, and a waste port holding section for holding a waste port. The moving section is capable of moving the nozzle holding section or the waste port holding section. Accordingly, one of a state where the waste port is at a position immediately below the tip of the nozzle and a state where the waste port is not at the position immediately below the tip of the nozzle may be achieved.

A separator (e.g. an impact centrifugal separator) is for use in collection of liquid portions of a bi-phasic flowstream in a supercritical fluid system. A separator chamber defines an interior space, surrounded by a spiral channel and that has an exit at a lower portion of the separator chamber. A flowstream director (e.g. an entry lube) focuses the flowstream so that the flowstream impacts a wail of the spiral channel at an angle that promotes coalescence of the liquid component. The spiral channel may promote further coalescence of the liquid portions within the constraining spiral channel after impact. A central director may be included in the interior space of the separator chamber to promote flow of the gaseous component toward the exit. A dripper may be included in fluid communication with the spiral channel, for example, in the exit and to direct the coalesced liquid into a collection vessel.

A nano-flow fractionator apparatus, comprises: one or more sources of mobile phase solvent; a source of auxiliary solvent; a sample injection valve; a chromatographic column having an inner diameter of less than or equal to 75 micro-meters, a column inlet end and a column outlet end; a solvent fraction delivery line comprising: an inlet end that is configured to receive eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and an outlet end that is configured to dispense the eluate to each of a plurality of sample fraction containers; a fluid junction configured to receive the eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and to receive a flow of the auxiliary solvent that is delivered from the source of auxiliary solvent and to deliver the eluate and the flow of auxiliary solvent to the solvent fraction delivery line.

A fluidic valve for switching between different fluid coupling states includes a stator having at least one fluidic stator interface, a rotor having at least one fluidic rotor interface, wherein the rotor is rotatable relative to the stator to thereby switch the fluidic valve between a plurality of different fluid coupling states between the at least one fluidic stator interface and the at least one fluidic rotor interface, and a force transmission mechanism configured for pressing the stator and the rotor together by a contactless force transmission to provide for a fluid tight sealing between the stator and the rotor.

The invention relates to analyzing and controlling collection of liquid eluate output from a separation process, in particular by use of a measure of suspended material in the eluate based on a light scattering detection method. Exemplary embodiments include a method of controlling collection of a sample of a liquid eluate output from a separation process. The method includes exposing the liquid eluate to light from a light source; detecting light from the light source scattered by suspended material in the eluate at a detector; and beginning and ending collection of the sample when a measure of the suspended material derived from the detected scattered light enters and leaves a predetermined range.