Jiapeng BSZ-100 Automated Fraction Collector

Overview

The Jiapeng BSZ-100 Automated Fraction Collector is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for integration into low-to-medium pressure liquid chromatography (LC) and column chromatography workflows. It operates on a time-based fractionation principle—collecting eluent fractions into discrete test tubes at user-defined intervals—enabling reproducible, unattended separation of complex biological or chemical mixtures. Unlike flow-triggered or UV-absorbance-gated collectors, the BSZ-100 prioritizes temporal consistency, making it especially suitable for gradient elution protocols where retention time stability is critical, such as in protein purification, natural product isolation, or synthetic intermediate fractionation. Its microprocessor-controlled architecture ensures high timing accuracy (±0.1% deviation over full range), minimal mechanical drift, and deterministic tube-switching behavior—essential for maintaining fraction integrity across extended runs.

Key Features

• 100-position circular tube tray with engraved numeric labeling (001–100), enabling unambiguous identification and traceability without manual annotation
• High-resolution 6-digit LED display supporting real-time monitoring of elapsed time, remaining interval, current tube index, and system status
• Adjustable timing resolution from 1 second to 24 hours—programmable in 1-second increments for fine-grained control over fraction duration
• Non-volatile memory retains all parameter settings—including start tube, end tube, interval duration, and run history—for ≥10 years after power loss, compliant with GLP data integrity requirements
• Ergonomic 35° angled control panel reduces operator fatigue during prolonged setup and monitoring sessions
• Chemically resistant ABS housing (injection-molded in single-piece construction) provides structural rigidity and compatibility with common organic solvents (e.g., methanol, acetonitrile, chloroform) when used with optional solvent-rated tube trays
• Integrated Keebio solenoid shut-off valve ensures leak-free, bubble-free tube transitions with <50 ms actuation latency
• RS-232 serial interface enables hardware-level synchronization with peristaltic pumps (e.g., Watson-Marlow, ISMATEC), allowing precise start/stop triggering based on pump runtime or volume delivery

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BSZ-100 accommodates standard 12 mL round-bottom or conical centrifuge tubes (16 × 100 mm). Its open-tube architecture supports both aqueous and organic mobile phases; for aggressive solvents (e.g., DMSO, THF), users should select chemically rated tube trays (available as accessory kit). The device meets IEC 61010-1:2010 safety standards for electrical equipment used in laboratory environments. While not certified for GMP manufacturing use out-of-the-box, its deterministic timing logic, non-volatile parameter storage, and audit-ready operation log (accessible via serial dump) support alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles when deployed within validated chromatographic methods under controlled SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The BSZ-100 operates autonomously without proprietary software. All configuration is performed locally via front-panel keypad navigation. Parameter changes are confirmed by audible feedback and immediate display update. For integration into automated labs, the RS-232 interface supports ASCII command protocol (e.g., “START”, “STOP”, “SET TUBE 042”, “QUERY STATUS”) compatible with LabVIEW, Python (pySerial), or custom SCADA systems. No drivers or firmware updates are required—firmware resides in masked ROM, ensuring long-term operational stability. Event timestamps (power-on, tube change, error detection) are stored in internal EEPROM and retrievable via serial query, facilitating retrospective analysis and method documentation.

Applications

• Purification of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins using size-exclusion or ion-exchange chromatography
• Isolation of bioactive compounds from plant extracts via preparative silica gel or reversed-phase C18 columns
• Collection of reaction quench samples in kinetic studies (e.g., enzyme assays, hydrolysis monitoring)
• Multi-step fraction pooling for subsequent LC-MS analysis—where consistent timing eliminates retention time shifts between injections
• Teaching laboratories requiring robust, low-maintenance fractionation tools for undergraduate chromatography experiments

FAQ

Does the BSZ-100 support volume-based collection?
No—it is a time-programmable collector only. Volume-triggered collection requires external flowmeter integration and custom scripting via the RS-232 interface.
Can I use non-standard tube sizes?
Yes, provided the tube diameter fits within the 16 mm ±0.5 mm tray bore tolerance and height does not exceed 105 mm. Adapters are not supplied but may be fabricated.
Is calibration required?
No routine calibration is needed—the timing circuit uses a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with factory-trimmed accuracy of ±10 ppm over 0–40 °C.
What happens if power fails mid-run?
All active parameters and the current tube index are preserved. Upon restoration, the unit resumes collection from the next scheduled tube without resetting the timer.
Is the RS-232 interface optically isolated?
No—it is direct TTL-level serial communication. Use an industrial-grade USB-to-RS232 converter with surge protection when connecting to PCs in shared lab networks.