Valve and splitting system for multi-dimensional liquid analysis

A multi-dimensional liquid analysis system, comprising:

• a first separation system including a first separation column, the first separation column configured to chromatographically separate a sample within a liquid mobile phase and to provide a liquid mobile phase into a first dimension outflow having a first outflow rate;
• a flow splitter fluidly coupled to the first dimension outflow, the flow splitter configured to split the first dimension outflow into a first split outlet flow and a second split outlet flow;
• a second separation system including a multiple-port injection valve comprising a sample loop, the second separation system also including a second separation column, wherein the multiple-port injection valve is configured to receive, at a port, the second split outlet flow such that the sample loop receives a sample volume from the second split outlet flow, and wherein the second separation column is configured to chromatographically separate the sample volume from the second split outlet flow;
• and
• a flow controller fluidly coupled to and located downstream of one of the first split outlet flow and the second split outlet flow, the flow controller configured to control the one of the first split outlet flow and the second split outlet flow from the flow splitter at a controlled flow rate to effectuate consistent splitting of the first dimension outflow to obtain, in the sample volume from the second split outlet flow, a representative sampling of compounds in the first dimension outflow for separation in the second separation system.

A method of multi-dimensional liquid analysis, comprising:

• chromatographically separating, using a first separation column, a sample within a liquid mobile phase and providing, from the first separation column, a first dimension outflow having a first outflow rate;
• splitting, with a flow splitter having an inlet fluidly coupled to the first dimension outflow, the first dimension outflow into a first split outlet flow and a second split outlet flow;
• controlling, with a flow controller fluidly coupled to and located downstream of one of the first split outlet flow and the second split outlet flow, the one of the first split outlet flow and the second split outlet flow from the flow splitter at a controlled flow rate to effectuate consistent splitting of the first dimension outflow to obtain, in a sample volume from the second split outlet flow, a representative sampling of compounds in the first dimension outflow for separation in a second separation system;
• receiving, with a sample loop, the sample volume from the second split outlet flow;
• and
• chromatographically separating, using a second separation column, the sample volume from the second split outlet flow.