Jiapeng BSZ-30 Automatic Fraction Collector

Overview

The Jiapeng BSZ-30 Automatic Fraction Collector is a precision-engineered time-triggered liquid-phase fraction collection system designed for integration into medium- and low-pressure chromatography workflows. It operates on the principle of programmable temporal segmentation—dividing eluent effluent into discrete fractions based on user-defined time intervals, enabling reproducible offline fractionation of complex biological or chemical mixtures. Unlike pressure- or UV-triggered collectors, the BSZ-30 prioritizes temporal fidelity and operational robustness, making it especially suitable for applications where retention time consistency is critical—such as preparative SEC, ion-exchange purification of proteins, gradient HPLC method development, and natural product isolation where fraction timing correlates directly with compound elution profiles. Its microprocessor-controlled architecture ensures stable long-duration operation (>200 hours), while non-volatile memory preserves all timing parameters—including start time, interval duration, total fraction count, and tube indexing—for up to ten years following power loss.

Key Features

• 30-position circular collection tray with engraved numeric indexing—each position corresponds to a unique digit (1–30), eliminating misalignment during tube exchange and ensuring traceable sample handling.
• High-resolution timing control: adjustable collection intervals from 1 second to 24 hours in 1-second increments, supporting both forward-counting and倒-counting (countdown) modes for synchronized multi-instrument protocols.
• 6-digit ultra-bright LED display provides real-time visibility of elapsed time, remaining interval, current tube number, and system status—even under ambient laboratory lighting conditions.
• Ergonomic 35° inclined control panel—designed per ISO 9241-5 human factors standards—to reduce operator fatigue during extended manual monitoring or parameter adjustment sessions.
• RS-232 serial interface (COM port) enables hardware-level handshake with compatible peristaltic or piston-driven chromatographic pumps (e.g., Keewei, Longer, or Watson-Marlow models), allowing pump-start-triggered collection initiation without software mediation.
• Modular tray design supports interchangeable 30-position discs; identical trays may be swapped between instruments without recalibration or re-indexing, facilitating high-throughput lab environments with multiple parallel purification setups.
• Structural housing fabricated from medical-grade ABS polymer—impact-resistant, flame-retardant (UL94 HB), and optionally available with solvent-resistant surface treatment for compatibility with acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BSZ-30 accommodates standard 10–25 mm diameter test tubes and glass vials (up to 100 mL capacity per position), with unlimited total volume achievable via gravity-fed external container linkage using flexible Tygon® tubing. While not intrinsically rated for explosion-proof or Class I Div 1 environments, its electrical design complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for laboratory electrical equipment safety. The device supports audit-ready documentation practices: all parameter changes are timestamped and stored in non-volatile memory, satisfying foundational requirements for GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) recordkeeping. Though not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its deterministic timing logic and absence of network connectivity make it suitable for regulated environments when deployed within validated SOPs governing manual chromatographic fractionation.

Software & Data Management

The BSZ-30 operates as a standalone hardware controller with no embedded operating system or cloud dependency. All configuration—including tube numbering offset, interval duration, total fraction count, and auto-reset behavior—is entered via tactile membrane keypad and retained across power cycles. No proprietary software is required for basic operation. For laboratories requiring digital logging, third-party serial data capture tools (e.g., Tera Term, Docklight, or LabVIEW VIs) can poll the RS-232 interface to log timestamps, tube indices, and system alerts into CSV or SQL databases—enabling alignment with LIMS or ELN systems. Parameter export/import functionality is not natively supported; however, standardized ASCII command protocols (detailed in the technical manual) allow for script-driven batch configuration in automated purification platforms.

Applications

• Preparative size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) of monoclonal antibodies and viral vectors, where consistent fraction timing ensures reproducible buffer exchange and aggregation profiling.
• Ion-exchange purification of recombinant enzymes—collecting narrow time windows corresponding to peak elution zones identified by inline conductivity detection.
• Natural product isolation from column chromatography eluates, particularly in phytochemical screening where polarity gradients yield time-correlated compound classes.
• Method scouting for reversed-phase HPLC, using offline fraction collection to map retention behavior prior to detector optimization.
• Educational biochemistry labs—teaching principles of chromatographic resolution, dwell volume effects, and fraction pooling strategies without reliance on expensive integrated systems.

FAQ

Does the BSZ-30 support volume-based or UV-triggered collection?
No. The BSZ-30 is exclusively time-programmable. It does not include flow sensors, UV detectors, or analog input channels for external signal triggering.
Can the collection tray accommodate custom tube racks or microcentrifuge formats?
The standard tray accepts round-bottom or flat-bottom tubes 10–25 mm in diameter. Adapters for 0.5 mL or 1.5 mL microtubes are not supplied but may be retrofitted using third-party inserts compatible with 30-position circular geometry.
Is firmware upgrade capability available?
Firmware is固化 in mask ROM and not field-upgradable. Functional enhancements require hardware revision per Jiapeng’s product lifecycle policy.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Annual inspection of solenoid valves (if solvent-resistant valve option is installed), cleaning of tray grooves with isopropanol, and verification of LED contrast under controlled lighting are recommended. No lubrication or calibration is necessary.
How is compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 addressed?
While the BSZ-30 itself is not accredited, its deterministic timing accuracy (<±0.1% over 24 h at 25°C) and parameter traceability support inclusion in accredited testing scopes when validated per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.7 (Equipment).