Importance

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Abstract

A multichannel pump system for HPLC and other uses has a plurality of fluid pumps whose input is fed separately to at least one high pressure mixing unit downstream of the pumps and any associated items such as pulse dampeners and pressure transducers. A pump controller is connected to control each of the pumps separately in a coordinated manner to provide a plurality of operational modes. The operational modes include an isocratic mode, in which optionally the output of solvent of like composition from two or more pumps is pooled to provide increased output capacity, as well as binary, ternary, etc., gradient modes in which different solvents are selectively mixed before being applied to an analytical unit such as an HPLC column. The pump system further includes a novel linear drive pump having interchangeable piston modules providing different ranges of flow rates. The linear drive pump is capable of providing precise solvent delivery at high pressure for flow rates from 20 ml/minute down to 0.0001 ml/minute, and is particularly useful because of its microflow gradient elution capability.

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First Claim