System and method for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system

A system for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system, the system comprising:

• a makeup pump configured to pump a makeup fluid into a chromatography system downstream of a column;
• a first restrictor located downstream of the makeup pump and upstream of a detector;
• a second restrictor located downstream of the makeup pump and the column and in parallel with the first restrictor and the detector;
• and
• a computing device configured to determine a flow rate through the first restrictor and control an operation of the makeup pump in order to:
• decrease an output volume of the makeup pump in order to direct a portion of an output from the column through the first restrictor and to the detector;
• and
• increase an output volume of the makeup pump in order to direct the output from the column to the second restrictor.

A method for controlling fluid flow within a chromatography system, the method comprising:

• activating a makeup pump configured to pump a makeup fluid including CO2 into a CO2-based chromatography system downstream of a column;
• measuring a flow rate through a first restrictor, wherein the first restrictor is located upstream of a detector and downstream of both the makeup pump and the column;
• increasing an output volume of the makeup pump in order to direct an output from the column to a second restrictor located downstream of the makeup pump and the column and in parallel with the first restrictor and the detector;
• decreasing an output volume of the makeup pump during a predetermined segment of a chromatographic run in order to direct a portion of the output from the column through the first restrictor and to the detector;
• and
• increasing the output volume of the makeup pump after the predetermined segment of the chromatographic run in order to redirect the output from the column away from the detector and to the second restrictor.