SSI Model SFC-24 Supercritical Fluid CO₂ Pump

Overview

The SSI Model SFC-24 Supercritical Fluid CO₂ Pump is a precision-engineered constant-flow, high-pressure delivery system designed specifically for supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), extraction (SFE), and reaction applications requiring stable, metered CO₂ delivery under extreme pressure conditions. Operating on positive displacement piston technology, the pump delivers highly reproducible flow rates across its full range (0.01–24.0 mL/min) while maintaining pressure stability up to 10,000 psi (689 bar). Its core design integrates thermodynamic control with mechanical robustness—featuring an in-situ Peltier thermoelectric cooling module that actively regulates CO₂ temperature during compression and delivery, minimizing density fluctuations and ensuring consistent fluid phase behavior. Unlike conventional chillers or external refrigerant loops, the solid-state Peltier system eliminates reliance on volatile coolants (e.g., R134a), reduces footprint, and enhances long-term operational reliability in laboratory environments where maintenance access and chemical safety are critical.

Key Features

• Integrated Peltier thermoelectric cooling module—fully embedded within the pump housing for precise CO₂ temperature stabilization without external plumbing or refrigerants
• Anodized aluminum pump head with optimized thermal mass and corrosion resistance for extended service life under repeated high-pressure cycling
• Full 316 stainless steel wetted path compliant with U.S. FDA and ASTM F821 standards for compatibility with supercritical CO₂ and common co-solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol)
• Built-in high-stability electronic pressure transducer with real-time feedback and ±2% full-scale accuracy, enabling closed-loop pressure regulation
• Front-panel keypad interface with dual-line LED display for intuitive local operation—supports both constant-flow and constant-pressure modes
• RS-232 serial interface for remote instrument control, data logging, and integration into automated SFC or SFE platforms (e.g., via LabVIEW or custom SCADA systems)
• Motor fault detection circuitry with automatic shutdown and visual alert to prevent mechanical overload or dry-run damage
• Integrated 2-µm sintered stainless steel outlet filter to protect downstream instrumentation (e.g., columns, detectors, reactors) from particulate contamination

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SFC-24 is validated for use with carbon dioxide as the primary supercritical fluid, and has demonstrated compatibility with polar and non-polar co-solvents at concentrations up to 30% v/v. Its fluid path meets ASME B31.3 process piping requirements for high-pressure gas service and conforms to ISO 13485–certified manufacturing practices for laboratory instrumentation. The pump supports GLP-compliant workflows through traceable pressure and flow logging (when paired with external data acquisition), and its pressure control architecture aligns with USP and ICH Q5C guidelines for method robustness in analytical SFC method development. No hazardous refrigerants, oils, or lubricants contact the CO₂ stream—ensuring purity for pharmaceutical-grade extractions and chiral separations.

Software & Data Management

While the SFC-24 operates autonomously via front-panel controls, its RS-232 interface enables bidirectional communication with host software for parameter scripting, real-time telemetry, and audit-trail generation. When integrated into regulated environments, third-party middleware (e.g., Thermo Fisher Chromeleon, Waters Empower) can capture timestamped pressure, flow, and temperature events—supporting 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when deployed with appropriate electronic signature and audit-log configurations. All internal firmware includes non-volatile memory for user-defined method storage and retains calibration offsets across power cycles.

Applications

• Preparative and analytical supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) for chiral and achiral separations in pharmaceutical R&D
• Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of botanical actives, lipids, and nutraceuticals under GMP-aligned protocols
• Catalytic reactions in supercritical CO₂ media for green chemistry synthesis and polymer processing
• Method development and validation studies requiring precise pressure–flow coupling (e.g., density-dependent solvation tuning)
• Calibration and challenge testing of high-pressure sensors, back-pressure regulators, and inline densitometers

FAQ

Does the SFC-24 support both constant-flow and constant-pressure operation modes?
Yes—the pump allows selection between fixed-flow rate mode and pressure-regulated mode, where flow automatically adjusts to maintain a user-defined setpoint pressure.
Is the Peltier cooling system capable of sub-ambient temperature control?
The integrated Peltier module maintains CO₂ temperature within ±1.5°C of setpoint across ambient conditions of 15–30°C; it is not designed for active sub-ambient cooling below ambient temperature.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?
Piston seals should be inspected every 500 hours of cumulative runtime; the outlet filter requires cleaning or replacement every 200 hours when used with non-filtered CO₂ sources.
Can the SFC-24 be used with fluids other than CO₂?
It is engineered and validated exclusively for CO₂ and CO₂/co-solvent mixtures; use with other supercritical fluids (e.g., N₂O, ethane) is not supported due to differing compressibility and thermal properties.
Is firmware upgrade capability available via RS-232?
Yes—field-upgradable firmware is provided by SSI upon request and can be installed using standard terminal emulation software and signed binary packages.