Liquid chromatograph and method for controlling same

A liquid chromatograph comprising:

• a liquid feeding device configured to feed out a mobile phase;
• a sample injection portion configured to inject a sample into the mobile phase fed out from the liquid feeding device;
• a separation column configured to separate the sample carried by the mobile phase fed out from the sample injection portion;
• a detection device configured to detect the sample separated by the separation column;
• a storage bottle storing the mobile phase fed by the liquid feeding device;
• a mobile phase supply bottle configured to supply the mobile phase to the storage bottle;
• a mobile phase supply pump configured to supply the mobile phase stored in the mobile phase supply bottle to the storage bottle;
• and
• a control unit configured to control an operation of the mobile phase supply pump and determine an amount of the mobile phase to be supplied from the mobile phase supply bottle to the storage bottle, wherein
• the liquid chromatograph further comprising:
• a monitoring sensor configured to detect a remaining amount of the mobile phase stored in the storage bottle, wherein
• the control unit is configured to, when the remaining amount of the mobile phase in the storage bottle reaches a certain level or less based on a detection value of the monitoring sensor, drive the mobile phase supply pump to supply the mobile phase in the mobile phase bottle to the storage bottle, and when it is determined that the mobile phase in the storage bottle reaches a predetermined value or more based on the remaining amount of the mobile phase detected by the monitoring sensor, stop the mobile phase supply pump, and wherein
• the liquid chromatograph further comprising:
• an air bubble detection sensor configured to detect air bubbles in a pipe provided between the mobile phase supply bottle and the mobile phase supply pump;
• a gas conduit connecting the storage bottle and the mobile phase supply bottle and configured to keep a pressure inside the storage bottle and a pressure inside the mobile phase supply bottle at a certain level;
• and
• a filter connected to a vent of the mobile phase supply bottle, wherein
• the control unit is configured to drive the mobile phase supply pump to supply the mobile phase in the mobile phase supply bottle to the storage bottle, determine that the mobile phase supply bottle becomes empty by the air bubble detection sensor detecting air bubbles inside the pipe, and stop the mobile phase supply pump.