SSI SFC-24 Supercritical Fluid CO₂ Delivery Pump

Overview

The SSI SFC-24 Supercritical Fluid CO₂ Delivery Pump is a precision-engineered constant-flow, high-pressure pumping system specifically designed for supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and other demanding applications requiring stable, metered delivery of carbon dioxide under elevated pressure and controlled temperature conditions. Operating on the principle of positive displacement via dual-piston reciprocating actuation, the SFC-24 maintains consistent volumetric output across its full operating range while accommodating the compressibility and phase-sensitive behavior of CO₂ near and above its critical point (31.1 °C, 1070 psi). Its architecture integrates thermal management directly into the pump head assembly—eliminating reliance on external chillers, refrigerant loops, or cryogenic fluids—thereby enhancing system stability, reducing footprint, and minimizing maintenance overhead in regulated laboratory environments.

Key Features

• Integrated Peltier thermoelectric cooling module mounted directly within the pump head, enabling precise temperature stabilization of the CO₂ fluid path without external coolant circulation or hazardous refrigerants.
• Aluminum pump head with optimized thermal mass and surface finish to minimize thermal gradients and ensure mechanical stability during extended operation at high pressure.
• Full stainless-steel wetted path—including inlet/outlet fittings, check valves, and internal tubing—designed for compatibility with CO₂, co-solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol), and trace additives used in SFC method development.
• Built-in high-resolution electronic pressure transducer with real-time feedback, supporting both constant-flow and constant-pressure operational modes.
• Front-panel control interface with LED display and tactile keypad for local parameter entry, status monitoring, and diagnostic access—no external PC required for basic operation.
• Motor fault detection circuitry providing immediate shutdown and visual alert upon abnormal current draw, phase loss, or encoder error—enhancing equipment longevity and operator safety.
• Integrated outlet particulate filter (0.2 µm rated) to protect downstream instrumentation (e.g., SFC columns, detectors) from particulate carryover originating in CO₂ supply lines or cylinder regulators.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SFC-24 is validated for use with food-grade and research-grade CO₂ (99.995% purity minimum), as well as common polar modifiers including methanol, isopropanol, and acetonitrile at concentrations up to 30% v/v. Its pressure rating of 10,000 psi supports operation across the full supercritical region of CO₂ (up to ~70 °C and 5000 psi typical for analytical SFC; up to 10,000 psi for preparative-scale extraction). The pump meets mechanical safety requirements per ISO 12100:2010 (risk assessment principles) and electrical safety standards IEC 61010-1:2010. While not intrinsically rated for hazardous area use, it is suitable for installation in general laboratory spaces compliant with NFPA 45 and local gas-handling codes. For GLP/GMP environments, the RS-232 interface supports integration with validated data acquisition systems capable of 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails when paired with appropriate software.

Software & Data Management

The SFC-24 supports bidirectional RS-232 communication using ASCII-based command protocols (e.g., “SET FLOW=12.5”, “READ PRESSURE”). It does not include proprietary software but is compatible with third-party control platforms such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom Python-based instrument drivers using standard serial libraries. All setpoints, actual flow/pressure readings, and system status flags (e.g., “PUMP RUNNING”, “TEMPERATURE FAULT”) are accessible via serial query. The front-panel display logs last-known operational parameters and stores up to 10 user-defined presets for rapid method recall. No onboard non-volatile memory retains historical run data; therefore, continuous logging must be implemented externally.

Applications

• Analytical and preparative supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) for chiral separation of pharmaceutical intermediates, natural products, and synthetic polymers.
• Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of lipids, caffeine, essential oils, and pesticide residues from botanical matrices.
• CO₂-assisted particle formation (e.g., SAS, PGSS) in formulation development for inhalable or injectable drug delivery systems.
• High-pressure reaction studies involving CO₂ as solvent or reactant in catalytic hydrogenation, carboxylation, and polymerization kinetics.
• Calibration and validation of high-pressure flow meters and pressure sensors in metrology laboratories.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable CO₂ temperature at the pump head?
The integrated Peltier module maintains the fluid path at temperatures between 5 °C and 45 °C. Ambient temperature must remain below 35 °C for sustained operation at maximum pressure.
Can the SFC-24 deliver liquid CO₂ below its critical temperature?
Yes—provided the upstream CO₂ supply is subcooled and pressure-regulated appropriately, the pump can meter liquid-phase CO₂ at temperatures as low as –20 °C (with optional low-temp seal kit).
Is the flow accuracy specified for gaseous or liquid CO₂ delivery?
The ±5% flow accuracy specification applies to liquid-phase delivery calibrated using gas-volume-derived calculations per ASTM D5292 and ISO 14475 methodologies.
Does the pump support gradient elution in SFC?
No—the SFC-24 operates in single-solvent mode. Gradient capability requires integration with a secondary pump (e.g., modifier pump) and external mixing manifold.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?
Piston seals should be inspected every 500 hours of cumulative runtime; inlet filters replaced quarterly; and Peltier module thermal interface compound reapplied annually per manufacturer service bulletin SFC-24-REV7.