QuickSplit™ Adjustable Flow Splitters
Unlike conventional splitters that use long lengths of capillary tubing, the ASI
QuickSplit™ Adjustable Flow Splitter uses fluid resistors to achieve a wide range
of split ratios. The flow path of the QuickSplit™ Adjustable
Flow Splitter contains two fluid resistors that form a parallel flow path. The low flow rate stream passes through a fixed
resistor cartridge, while the high flow rate stream passes through an adjustable fluid resistor (metering valve). The ratio
of these two resistors creates the split flow ratio. The fixed fluid resistor is analogous to a resistor used in an electrical
circuit. The compact fluid resistor elements are designed as cartridges for easy replacement with resistance values (L2)
rated in PSI/mL/min. Because of the extremely low internal volume of the fluid resistors, the solvent composition in both
resistors at any instant in time is the same, and therefore viscosity changes associated with gradient runs do not impact
the split ratio.
Due to the rugged design, the split ratio repeatability is +/- 1 % of setting, and unlike alternative splitter valves
or tees, will not be affected by actions that effect input flow such as turning the pump off and on, or pressure spikes.
Because the QuickSplit™ Adjustable Flow Splitter incorporates
a metering valve, split ratios can be changed frequently with flow changes that are stable and reproducible. The
QuickSplit™ Adjustable Flow Splitter will create split
ratios that are not affected by changes in solvent viscosity or pressure and provides direct real time control over split
ratio optimization.
To understand how the QuickSplit™ Adjustable Flow
Splitter works it helps to look at a diagram of the fluid resistors in relation to the flow paths and how a split ratio
is calculated.
Schematic flow diagram of the QuickSplit™
Adjustable Flow Splitter
Since the flow rate is indirectly proportional to resistance, changing the resistance in either flow path results in
a change to the split ratio. Changing resistance is accomplished by adjusting the metering valve on the high flow rate channel
or exchanging the fixed fluid resistor cartridge in the low flow rate channel with a resistor cartridge which has a different
resistance rating. Adjusting the metering valve is analogous to changing the capillary tubing length or diameter on conventional
tee type flow splitters. The QuickSplit™ Adjustable
Flow Splitter has a convenient mounting bracket and hand adjustment knob to control the split ratio. The split ratio is
adjusted by turning the adjustment knob. Split ratios are increased by turning the adjustment knob clockwise, and decreased
by turning the knob counter-clockwise. Split ratios are not affected by changes in solvent viscosities or pressure, which
makes this product suitable for gradient applications as well as isocratic. The
QuickSplit™ Adjustable Flow Splitter is shipped configured for either post-column
or pre-column applications.
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