Jiapeng BSZ-40 Automatic Fraction Collector

Overview

The Jiapeng BSZ-40 Automatic Fraction Collector is a dedicated time-triggered liquid-phase fraction collector engineered for mid-to-low pressure preparative chromatography systems. It operates on the principle of precise temporal segmentation—dividing eluent effluent into discrete, chronologically defined fractions based on user-defined collection intervals. Unlike flow- or UV-triggered collectors, the BSZ-40 prioritizes reproducible timing control, making it especially suitable for applications where retention time consistency is critical and detector signals are unavailable, unstable, or unnecessary (e.g., gradient elution scouting, buffer exchange monitoring, or multi-step column washing). Its microprocessor-based control architecture ensures stable operation across extended runs, supporting uninterrupted fractionation for over 200 hours—ideal for overnight or unattended purification protocols in academic biochemistry labs, pharmaceutical R&D, and bioprocess development environments.

Key Features

• Time-based fractionation with adjustable interval resolution from 1 second to 24 hours—enabling high-resolution temporal slicing for method optimization and peak profiling.
• Digitally numbered circular tube tray accommodating 40 standard 50 mL test tubes; each position marked with a permanent, solvent-resistant numeral for unambiguous sample identification and retrieval.
• 6-digit ultra-bright LED display providing real-time visibility of elapsed time, current tube number, and system status—even under low-ambient lighting typical in cold rooms or fume hoods.
• Ergonomic 35° inclined control panel designed per ISO 11228–2 human factors guidelines, minimizing operator fatigue during prolonged setup and monitoring tasks.
• Non-volatile memory retaining all parameter settings—including start/stop times, tube count, and interval values—for up to 10 years following power interruption, eliminating reconfiguration overhead after outages.
• RS-232 COM port enabling direct hardware-level synchronization with peristaltic or syringe pumps (e.g., Keewei or Watson-Marlow equivalents), allowing pump-triggered start/stop and coordinated flow-rate–fraction alignment.
• Structural housing molded from high-impact ABS polymer meeting UL 94 HB flammability rating; fully enclosed design prevents solvent vapor ingress and protects internal electronics during organic mobile phase use.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The BSZ-40 is validated for aqueous and moderately polar organic solvent systems (e.g., methanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, and IPA/water mixtures) when equipped with the optional solvent-resistant tube tray. It is not rated for halogenated solvents (e.g., chloroform, DCM) or strong oxidizers without additional containment measures. While not certified to IEC 61010-1 as a standalone safety-certified instrument, its electrical design complies with basic functional safety requirements for laboratory equipment operating at 220 V AC. The device supports audit-ready workflows: all timing parameters are user-configurable and retained immutably in non-volatile memory, facilitating documentation per GLP Annex 11 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 principles when integrated into validated chromatography platforms.

Software & Data Management

The BSZ-40 operates via embedded firmware without external software dependency—ensuring deterministic behavior and eliminating driver compatibility issues. All configuration is performed locally using tactile membrane keys. Though it lacks native USB or Ethernet connectivity, its RS-232 interface permits integration with third-party lab information management systems (LIMS) or custom Python/Matlab scripts via serial command protocol (ASCII-based, documented in technical manual). Timestamped collection logs can be exported manually via terminal emulation, supporting traceability requirements for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in testing laboratories performing method development or stability-indicating separations.

Applications

• Preparative gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography for protein purification, where consistent fraction timing enables pooling of monodisperse elution windows.
• Desalting and buffer exchange workflows requiring sequential collection of effluent volumes post-column equilibration.
• Method scouting in reversed-phase HPLC for initial gradient mapping prior to detector-based optimization.
• Quality control sampling in small-scale biomanufacturing, including harvest clarification supernatant fractionation for downstream process validation.
• Educational use in undergraduate biochemistry labs for hands-on instruction in column chromatography fundamentals and data reproducibility practices.

FAQ

Can the BSZ-40 collect fractions based on UV signal or flow rate?
No. The BSZ-40 is exclusively time-programmable. For detector- or flow-triggered collection, consider the BSZ-40A variant or external relay-based triggering solutions.
Is the tube tray resistant to acetonitrile or methanol?
Yes—the optional solvent-resistant tray is chemically stabilized for repeated exposure to common HPLC-grade organic solvents at room temperature.
Does the unit support programmable start delay or staggered tube indexing?
Yes. Users may define arbitrary start times, tube numbering offsets (e.g., begin at tube #5), and total collection depth (e.g., collect only tubes 1–20).
What happens if power fails mid-run?
All active parameters and progress state (current tube index, elapsed time) are preserved in EEPROM and automatically resume upon restoration.
Can multiple BSZ-40 units be daisy-chained or synchronized?
Not natively. Synchronization requires external TTL/relay logic or master-slave pump coordination via the COM port.