Electrolytic buffer generator
AssigneesBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System, Dionex Corporation
InventorsPurnendu K. Dasgupta, Yongjing Chen, Kannan Srinivasan
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Abstract
Buffer generators are described based on electrodialytic devices. The methods of using these devices can generate buffers for diverse applications, including separations, e.g., HPLC and ion chromatography. Also provided are chromatographic devices including the buffer generators, generally located upstream from a chromatography column, sample injector valve or both.
Claims21
An electrodialytic method for generating a modified buffer solution, said method comprising:
- (a) flowing a buffer solution, including cations and anions, at a concentration greater than about 10 mM through a modified-buffer generation flow channel under a pressure less than about 30 psi;
- (b) flowing an aqueous liquid stream through an ion-receiving flow channel separated from said modified-buffer flow channel by a first ion exchange barrier including exchangeable cations or anions, but not both, and capable of blocking bulk liquid flow, said membrane having a surface area greater than about 0.5 in2;
- and
- (c) passing a current between first and second electrodes across said modified-buffer flow generation channel and said ion-receiving flow channel to cause cations or anions, but not both, to be transported across said first ion exchange barrier to generate a modified buffer solution which exits from said modified-buffer generation flow channel.
An electrodialytic method for generating a modified buffer solution, said method comprising:
- (a) flowing a buffer solution, including cations and anions through a modified-buffer generation flow channel, wherein said modified-buffer generation flow channel is separated from a first ion-receiving chamber by an anion exchange membrane capable of blocking bulk liquid flow and wherein said modified-buffer generation flow channel is separated from a second ion-receiving chamber by a cation exchange membrane capable of blocking bulk liquid flow;
- and
- (b) passing a current between first and second electrodes across said ion-receiving chamber to cause cations to be transported across a cation exchange membrane and to cause anions to be transported across an anion exchange membrane, wherein said first and second electrodes are disposed within said first and second ion-receiving chambers, respectively, and are separated from said modified-buffer flow channel, thereby generating a modified buffer solution which exits from said modified-buffer generation flow channel.
An electrodialytic method for generating a modified buffer solution, said method comprising:
- (a) flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a modified-buffer generation flow channel;
- (b) passing a current between first and second electrodes across said modified-buffer flow generation channel and a first ion-receiving chamber to cause cations or anions, but not both, to be transported across said first ion exchange barrier to generate a modified buffer solution which exits from said modified-buffer generation flow channel, said first ion-receiving chamber being separated from said modified-buffer flow channel by said first ion exchange barrier including exchangeable cations or anions, but not both, and capable of blocking bulk liquid flow.
-41. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.