Method for determining pipeline volume, liquid chromatography system, and pipeline volume determination device

A liquid chromatography system, characterized in that the liquid chromatography system comprises:

• a liquid chromatograph comprising:
• a marker insertion device for inserting a detectable marker into a liquid flow of the liquid chromatograph, and
• a liquid chromatography detector located in the liquid chromatograph;
• a fraction collector comprising:
• a fraction valve arranged after the liquid chromatograph and arranged to define at least two separate downstream flow paths comprising a waste flow path leading to a waste liquid collector and a collection flow path leading to a collection needle,
• a first sensor arranged after the fraction valve along the waste flow path,
• the collection needle arranged along the collection flow path, and
• a control device configured to enable the total volume of pipelines between the liquid chromatography detector and the first sensor to be determined by means of a time difference (T2−T1) between a first moment at which the liquid chromatography detector detects the marker and a second moment at which the first sensor detects the marker, and the flow rate of the liquid flow;
• wherein the detectable marker is a bubble, and wherein the marker is configured to be inserted into the liquid flow within the liquid chromatograph, before the liquid chromatography detector, or at least at the liquid chromatography detector;
• wherein the fraction valve is a multi-port valve, which at least includes a liquid inlet connected to the liquid chromatography detector, a liquid discharge port that is selectively in fluid communication with the waste flow path where the first sensor is located, and a separate collection port connected to the collection flow path.

A pipeline volume determination device, characterized in that the pipeline volume determination device comprises:

• a liquid chromatography detector located in a liquid chromatograph;
• a fraction collector including a fraction valve arranged after the liquid chromatograph and including a collection needle, wherein the fraction valve defines at least two separate downstream flow paths comprising a waste flow path leading to a waste liquid collector and a collection flow path leading to the collection needle;
• a marker insertion device for inserting a detectable marker into a liquid flow of the liquid chromatograph;
• a first sensor arranged after the fraction valve along the waste flow path;
• and
• a control device configured to enable the total volume of pipelines between the liquid chromatography detector and the first sensor to be determined by means of a time difference (T2−T1) between a first moment at which the liquid chromatography detector detects the marker and a second moment at which the first sensor detects the marker, and the flow rate of the liquid flow;
• wherein the detectable marker is a bubble, and wherein the marker is configured to be inserted into the liquid flow within the liquid chromatograph, before the liquid chromatography detector, or at least at the liquid chromatography detector;
• wherein the fraction valve is a multi-port valve, which at least includes a liquid inlet connected to the liquid chromatography detector, a liquid discharge port that is selectively in fluid communication with the waste flow path where the first sensor is located, and a separate collection port connected to the collection flow path.