Jiapeng BS-160A Automatic Fraction Collector with LCD Display

Overview

The Jiapeng BS-160A Automatic Fraction Collector with LCD Display is a precision-engineered liquid-phase fraction collection system designed for integration into medium- to low-pressure chromatography workflows—including preparative HPLC, flash chromatography, gel filtration, and ion exchange purification. It operates on a time-triggered collection principle, enabling reproducible, hands-free segmentation of eluent fractions based on user-defined temporal intervals. Unlike flow-triggered or UV-signal-activated collectors, the BS-160A prioritizes operational simplicity and robustness for laboratories where consistent retention-time-based fractionation is sufficient—such as protein desalting, buffer exchange, or multi-step gradient elution in natural product isolation. Its microcontroller-based architecture ensures stable timing accuracy across extended runs (≥200 hours continuous operation), while non-volatile memory preserves all parameter settings—including start/stop times, tube indexing, and interval configurations—for over a decade following power interruption.

Key Features

• 160-position circular tube tray with engraved numeric identifiers—ensuring unambiguous tube alignment and eliminating misplacement during high-throughput collection
• Backlit Chinese-language LCD interface with hierarchical menu navigation and real-time status feedback (elapsed time, current tube index, remaining interval)
• High-precision timing resolution: adjustable collection intervals from 1 second to 24 hours in 1-second increments
• Chemically inert ABS housing (injection-molded, 35° ergonomic tilt panel) resistant to common organic solvents including methanol, acetonitrile, and chloroform (tube tray material compatible with optional solvent-grade configuration)
• Keebio solenoid shut-off valve providing rapid, leak-free tube-to-tube transition with minimal carryover (<10 µL dead volume)
• RS-232 serial interface for hardware-level synchronization with peristaltic pumps—enabling start/stop/pause commands and external trigger initiation without software mediation
• Parameter lock function prevents accidental modification during active collection cycles

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BS-160A accommodates standard 12 × 75 mm or 13 × 100 mm test tubes (5 mL nominal capacity per position), with mechanical tolerance accommodating minor dimensional variance across manufacturers. The tube tray is removable and interchangeable with other Jiapeng-compatible trays (e.g., BSZ-160 series), supporting protocol flexibility without recalibration. While not certified for IEC 61010-1 Class II safety or ATEX environments, its design conforms to general laboratory equipment requirements under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for method-controlled fractionation. For regulated environments, the device supports traceable operation when paired with validated pump systems and documented SOPs—particularly relevant for USP method transfer, FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned data integrity (when used with timestamped electronic logs), and GMP-compliant purification of intermediates in pharmaceutical development.

Software & Data Management

The BS-160A operates as a standalone hardware controller with no embedded operating system or cloud connectivity. All configuration and runtime data reside exclusively in non-volatile EEPROM. No proprietary software is required; however, the RS-232 interface permits integration with third-party lab automation platforms (e.g., LabVIEW, Python-based control scripts) via ASCII command protocol. Timestamped collection metadata—including tube number, elapsed time, and system status flags—is retained locally and can be exported manually via serial dump for inclusion in ELN entries or QC documentation. Audit trails are maintained through manual logbook correlation or external time-stamped video recording—consistent with GLP documentation practices for non-computerized systems.

Applications

• Desalting and buffer exchange of protein samples using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)
• Gradient fractionation in natural product isolation (e.g., flavonoid or alkaloid purification from plant extracts)
• Multi-step affinity chromatography elution profiling under controlled pH or imidazole gradients
• Quality control sampling in small-molecule API purification workflows
• Educational laboratory instruction in separation science principles, emphasizing reproducibility and temporal resolution

FAQ

Does the BS-160A support volume-based or UV-triggered collection?
No. It is strictly a time-programmable collector. Volume or signal-based triggering requires external hardware integration (e.g., flow meter or UV detector with TTL output) and custom scripting.
Can the tube tray be autoclaved?
No. The ABS tray is not autoclavable. Sterilization must be performed using ethanol wipe-down or ethylene oxide treatment per institutional biosafety protocols.
Is firmware upgrade capability available?
No. Firmware is factory-programmed and not field-upgradable. Parameter changes are limited to front-panel input.
What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for continuous operation?
35 °C ambient, with adequate ventilation. Prolonged operation above this threshold may affect timing stability and solenoid longevity.
How is tube overflow prevented during extended collection intervals?
The unit does not monitor fill level. Users must ensure eluent flow rate and collection duration are coordinated with 5 mL tube capacity—typically requiring flow rates ≤2 mL/min for >2-hour intervals.