BS-100N Organic-Solvent-Compatible Automatic Fraction Collector

Overview

The BS-100N Organic-Solvent-Compatible Automatic Fraction Collector is an engineered solution for precise, hands-free eluate fractionation in liquid-phase chromatographic workflows. Designed specifically for compatibility with organic solvents—including acetonitrile, methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate—the unit features chemically resistant tubing pathways, solvent-stable gaskets, and a sealed collection chamber to prevent vapor leakage and ensure operator safety during extended gradient elution protocols. It operates on a programmable time-based collection principle, enabling reproducible segmentation of column effluent without reliance on UV or conductivity triggers—making it ideal for offline fraction analysis, preparative separations, and multi-step purification schemes where real-time detection is unavailable or unnecessary. The device functions as a standalone collector or integrates seamlessly with peristaltic constant-flow pumps (e.g., HL-series) and gradient mixers (e.g., TH-series), supporting both isocratic and linear/nonlinear solvent programming in HPLC, flash chromatography, gel filtration, and affinity purification applications.

Key Features

• Chemical resistance validated for common organic mobile phases: compatible with >95% v/v methanol, acetonitrile, THF, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate under continuous flow conditions.
• 100-position rotor carousel accommodating standard 12 mL round-bottom or conical tubes (13 × 100 mm), with positive tube indexing and mechanical end-stop alignment to prevent misplacement.
• Precise timing resolution down to 1 second, with user-defined collection intervals spanning 1 s to 99 min 59 s; interval settings persist across power cycles via non-volatile EEPROM memory.
• Integrated power-fail protection: all active parameters—including elapsed time, current tube index, and remaining interval—are retained for ≥10 years without battery backup.
• Compact footprint (260 × 250 × 340 mm) and low mass (8.5 kg) facilitate placement within fume hoods, cold rooms, or benchtop chromatography stations without structural reinforcement.
• No internal electronics exposed to solvent vapors; all control circuitry resides in a sealed upper housing with IP20-rated ingress protection.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BS-100N is intended for use with aqueous and organic eluents in analytical and semi-preparative chromatography systems. Its fluid path components—including silicone-free fluoropolymer tubing, PTFE-coated rotor seals, and borosilicate glass-compatible tube holders—meet USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements for non-invasive contact with solvents used in pharmaceutical process development. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 for hazardous location use, the unit complies with CE marking directives for laboratory electrical equipment (2014/30/EU EMC Directive and 2014/35/EU LVD Directive). It supports GLP-compliant documentation when paired with external audit-trail-capable software (e.g., LabArchives or ELN platforms) via RS-232 serial interface logging.

Software & Data Management

The BS-100N operates via front-panel membrane keypad with LED status indicators; no proprietary PC software is required for basic operation. However, optional ASCII-mode serial communication (RS-232, 9600 baud, N-8-1) enables integration into automated lab environments. Commands support remote start/stop, interval reprogramming, and position query—facilitating synchronization with pump controllers or data acquisition systems. Collected fraction metadata (start time, duration, tube ID) can be exported for traceability in LIMS or electronic lab notebooks. All configuration changes are timestamped internally and stored with millisecond precision, satisfying minimum ALCOA+ data integrity criteria for non-GMP research use.

Applications

• Offline fraction pooling in reversed-phase and normal-phase flash chromatography for natural product isolation.
• Time-resolved collection of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) eluates for multi-angle light scattering (MALS) or dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis.
• Sequential sampling in ion-exchange purification of monoclonal antibodies prior to SEC-MALS characterization.
• Automated collection of enzymatic reaction time courses monitored by off-line HPLC or LC-MS.
• Gradient method development in preparative HPLC where UV detector saturation necessitates fixed-time fractionation.

FAQ

Is the BS-100N suitable for use with chlorinated solvents such as chloroform or carbon tetrachloride?
Yes—its rotor seal material (filled PTFE) and fluid path tubing (perfluoroelastomer-lined) are rated for continuous exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbons at ambient temperature and pressures ≤2 bar.
Can the collection interval be changed mid-run?
Yes—interval updates are accepted in real time via keypad or RS-232 command without interrupting motor sequencing or tube advancement.
Does the unit support tube rack auto-detection or barcode scanning?
No—tube positioning relies on mechanical indexing; users must load racks manually and confirm alignment before initiation.
What maintenance is required to sustain organic solvent compatibility?
Annual inspection of rotor seal compression and replacement of fluid path tubing every 12 months under continuous use; no lubrication or calibration is needed.
Is firmware upgrade capability available?
Firmware is factory-programmed and not field-upgradable; however, all units ship with the latest stable revision verified against ISO/IEC 17025-accredited test reports.