Apparatus for conducting high-temperature liquid chromotography analysis

A system for conducting high-temperature liquid chromatographic analysis, comprising:

• (a) a mobile-phase transport tube configured to operably convey mobile-phase from a mobile-phase source to chromatographic instruments in said system;
• (b) a pre-heater apparatus operably coupled to said mobile-phase transport tube for heating the mobile-phase to a first pre-determined set point temperature;
• (c) a chromatographic column operably coupled to, and disposed downstream from, said pre-heater apparatus such that the mobile-phase exiting said pre-heater apparatus is directed to said column through said mobile-phase transport tube, said chromatographic column having temperature stabilizing means associated therewith for maintaining said column and said mobile phase therewithin at a second pre-determined set point temperature;
• (d) a first temperature sensing means operably coupled to said pre-heater apparatus for determining the temperature of the mobile phase passing through said pre-heater apparatus;
• (e) a first temperature control means operably coupled to said first temperature sensing means, said first temperature control means being adapted to regulate power input to said pre-heater apparatus, such that the temperature of the mobile phase is maintained at said first pre-determined set point;
• (f) a second temperature sensing means operably coupled to said column and being adapted to operably determine the temperature of the mobile phase passing therethrough;
• and
• (g) a second temperature control means operably coupled to said second temperature sensing means and said column temperature stabilizing means, said second temperature control means being adapted to regulate power input to said column temperature stabilizing means such that the temperature of the mobile phase passing through said column is maintained at said second pre-determined set point, said first and second temperature control means being operably coupled to one another so as to dynamically maintain said column in a substantially adiabatic relationship with the mobile phase passing therethrough.