Liquid chromatographic method and system

A method of performing liquid chromatography comprising:

• drawing at least first and second fluids into a plurality of pumps from at least a corresponding first and second source of fluid;
• pumping said fluid from said plurality of pumps;
• measuring fluid pressure of said fluid;
• detecting when said fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure and compensating for the pressure over said predetermined pressure;
• said step of pumping said fluid including the step of mixing said at least first and second fluids in said pumps whereby a gradient is formed;
• said step of mixing including the step of mixing said at least first and second fluids prior to pumping said at least first and second fluids from said pumps;
• said step of mixing further including the step of drawing said first and second fluids through at least one flow path, wherein the flow path is shaped to produce good axial mixing and poor transverse mixing;
• and
• injecting said fluids into a pump cylinder where it undergoes enhanced transverse mixing and axial mixing.

A liquid chromatographic system comprising:

• a plurality of pumps each having a corresponding one of a plurality of pistons and a corresponding one of a plurality of cylinders;
• at least one motor;
• means connected to said at least one motor for driving at least some of said plurality of pistons, wherein said at least one motor includes one motor driving at least two pistons;
• at least some of said plurality of cylinders being adapted to communicate with a source of solvent, whereby at least some of said plurality of pumps simultaneously pump a solvent driven by one motor;
• at least one column;
• at least some of said plurality of pumps communicating with said at least one column, whereby solvent may be applied to said at least one column from at least some of said plurality of pumps;
• at least one flow detector communicating with said at least one column, whereby effluent from said column may be detected;
• a controller communicating with said detector, whereby effluent may be channeled to predetermined locations;
• and
• an over-pressure system for compensating for pressures in a fluid above a preset pressure.

A liquid chromatographic system comprising:

• a motor;
• a plurality of pumps;
• said pumps being adapted to be connected to a two-way valve;
• said two-way valve being adapted to be connected alternately to a first solvent reservoir and a second solvent reservoir, whereby the amount of time said valve is in a first position controls the amount of solvent drawn from said first reservoir into said pumps and the amount of time in a second position controls the amount of solvent drawn from said second reservoir into said pumps;
• means for injecting said solvent into said pumps, whereby said solvent is further mixed in said pumps;
• a plurality of columns;
• a plurality of detectors;
• each of said pumps communicating with a different column and a different detector;
• each of said detectors communicating with a controller, whereby said controller received signals indicating peaks;
• an over-pressure system for compensating for pressures in a fluid above a preset pressure.

A liquid chromatographic system including:

• at least one pumping system;
• said pumping system supplying solvent to at least one detector;
• a light source;
• said light source applying light to said at least one detector;
• a first light guide receiving light from said light source and transmitting it to said at least one detector;
• a second light guide positioned to receive light from said first light guide and transmit it to the at least one detector;
• said first and second light guides having their ends positioned within a flow cell adjacent to each other so that light passes from an end of said first light guide through solute in said flow cell and into an end of the second light guide, whereby light is diminished within said flow cell by absorbance by said solute;
• and
• an over-pressure system for compensating for pressures in a fluid above a preset pressure.

A method of performing liquid chromatography comprising the steps of:

• driving a plurality of pump pistons each being part of a corresponding plurality of pumps with a single motor, wherein said plurality of pumps pump solvent simultaneously and fill with solvent simultaneously into at least one column;
• detecting solute in an effluent from said at least one column;
• and
• channeling the solute into at least one container;
• and
• compensating for pressures in a fluid above a preset pressure.

A method of performing chromatography comprising the steps of:

• pumping solvent through at least one detector;
• transmitting light through said at least one detector from a first light guide;
• receiving light passing through solute from said first light guide to a second light guide;
• and
• transmitting light received by said second light guide to a detector wherein said first and second light guides have their ends positioned within a flow cell adjacent to each other so that light passes from an end of the first light guide through solute in said flow cell and into an end of the second light guide, whereby light is diminished within said flow cell by absorbance by said solute;
• and
• compensating for pressures in a fluid above a preset pressure.

A pumping system comprising:

• at least one pump having a cylinder, a piston and a pump head with an outlet;
• at least one inlet tube having first and second ends communicating with the cylinder at one end and adapted to communicate with at least two sources of fluid at the other end;
• said at least one inlet tube having a diameter and length shaped for flow;
• and
• drive means for driving said piston with sufficient speed to cause turbulent mixing in said cylinder, wherein fluid from said at least two sources of fluid are mixed before being pumped from said outlet;
• an over-pressure system for compensating for pressures in the fluid above a preset pressure.

A method of performing liquid chromatography comprising the steps of:

• pumping solvent into at least one column;
• detecting solute in an effluent from said at least one column;
• channeling the solute into at least one container;
• compensating for pressures in the fluid above a preset pressure;
• and
• reducing the rate of flow of the solvent.

Apparatus for performing liquid chromatography comprising:

• at least one motor;
• at least one pump connected to the at least one motor to be driven by the at least one motor;
• at least one column connected to the at least one pump to receive fluid from the at least one pump;
• a detector connected to detecting solute in an effluent from said at least one column;
• a collector positioned to receive the solute and deposit the solute into at least one container;
• and
• an over-pressure system that compensates for pressures in the fluid above a preset pressure.