Nano-flow liquid chromatographic apparatus having robust capillary tubing

Abstract

A chemical processing apparatus includes a separation column, a pump unit configured to support nano-flow processing, at least one fluid transport tube for transporting the fluid between the pump unit and the separation column, and a connector disposed adjacent to an inlet or outlet end of the at least one transport tube. The fluid transport tube and/or the separation column includes an outer tube of a metallic material, a fused-silica capillary disposed in the outer tube, and an intermediate tube including a polymeric material disposed between and bonded to both the outer tube and the capillary.

1 . A chemical processing apparatus, comprising: 
 a separation column;    a pump unit configured to deliver, to the separation column, a fluid at a pressure of up to at least about 1,000 psi while at a flow rate of less than about 100 μL/min;    at least one fluid transport tube for transporting the fluid at least part way between the pump unit and the separation column, the at least one fluid transport tube comprising 
 an outer tube comprising a metallic material,  
 a liner tube comprising fused silica disposed in the outer tube, and  
 an intermediate tube comprising a polymeric material disposed between and bonded to both the outer tube and the liner tube; and  
   a connector comprising a ferrule and a compression screw that are disposed adjacent to an inlet or outlet end of the at least one transport tube to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between the end of the at least one fluid transport tube and an output port of the pump unit or an input port of the column.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liner tube defines a lumen having a diameter within a range of about 20 μm to about 40 μm.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector further comprises a threaded fitting attached to the output port of the pump unit or the input port of the column for receiving the compression screw.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the separation column comprises packed particles having a diameter of less than about 2.0 μm.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the packed particles comprise a hybrid material.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the separation column has an inner diameter in a range of about 75 μm to about 320 μm.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the separation column has a length of up to about 25 cm.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump unit is configured to deliver the fluid at any flow rate in a range of about 200 μL/min to about 100 μL/min.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connector provides a substantially leak proof seal at a fluid pressure of at least about 10,000 psi.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module in data communication at least with the pump unit to control processing of a sample by the apparatus.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a solvent source in fluid communication with an input port of the pump unit.  
     
     
         12 . The me apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the outer tube comprises a material selected from the group of materials consisting of steel and titanium.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the intermediate tube has a melt-bonded fixed contact to first portions of both the outer tube and the liner tube, wherein the fixed contact provides a fluid-tight seal to impede fluid from reaching the unfixed contact.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a second portion of the intermediate tube has a melt-bonded fixed contact to second portions of both the outer tube and the liner tube, wherein the first and second portions of the intermediate tube are disposed adjacent to opposite ends of the at least one transport tube.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer tube has an outer diameter of about 1/16 inch or less.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mass-spectrometry unit disposed to receive an eluent from the separation column.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump unit is configured to deliver the fluid at a pressure of up to at least about 5,000 psi at the flow rate of less than about 100 μL/min.  
     
     
         18 . A chemical processing apparatus, comprising: 
 a separation column comprising 
 an outer tube comprising a metallic material,  
 a liner tube comprising fused silica disposed in the outer tube, and  
 an intermediate tube comprising a polymeric material disposed between and bonded to both the outer tube and the liner tube;  
   a pump unit configured to deliver, to the separation column, a fluid at a pressure of up to at least about 1,000 psi while at a flow rate of less than about 100 μL/min;    a fluid transport tube for transporting the fluid at least part way between the pump unit and the separation column; and    a connector comprising a ferrule and a compression screw that are disposed adjacent to an outlet end of the fluid transport tube to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection between an input port of the separation column and the outlet end of the fluid transport tube.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid transport tube comprises: an outer transport tube comprising a transport metallic material; a liner transport tube comprising fused silica disposed in the outer transport tube; and an intermediate transport tube comprising a transport polymeric material disposed between and bonded to both the outer transport tube and the liner transport tube.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the separation column further comprises a medium having a particle size of less than approximately 2 μm.