SSI SFC-24 Supercritical Fluid Pump

Overview

The SSI SFC-24 Supercritical Fluid Pump is an engineered constant-flow, high-pressure delivery system specifically designed for supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), preparative SFC purification, and other demanding applications requiring precise CO₂ or mixed-fluid pumping under elevated pressure and temperature conditions. It operates on a positive displacement principle using dual-synchronized stainless steel pistons driven by a precision stepper motor, ensuring pulse-free, repeatable delivery across its full operational range. Unlike conventional HPLC pumps, the SFC-24 integrates active thermal management via a solid-state Peltier cooling module directly mounted within the pump head assembly—eliminating reliance on external chillers, refrigerant lines, or cryogenic fluids. This architecture maintains CO₂ in its supercritical phase (T_c = 31.1 °C, P_c = 1070 psi) with minimal thermal lag and enables stable density-controlled elution critical for method robustness in chiral separations, natural product isolation, and pharmaceutical impurity profiling.

Key Features

• Integrated Peltier thermoelectric cooling system—fully self-contained, no external coolant loops or CFC/HCFC refrigerants required
• Aluminum alloy pump head with optimized thermal mass for rapid equilibration and reduced temperature drift
• Stainless steel fluid path (316 SS) compliant with CO₂ compatibility standards and resistant to corrosion from co-solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol)
• High-resolution electronic pressure transducer with real-time feedback and closed-loop pressure regulation
• Front-panel keypad interface with dual-line LED display showing setpoint pressure, actual pressure, flow rate, and system status
• Motor fault detection circuitry with automatic shutdown and diagnostic error code reporting
• Integrated 0.5 µm sintered stainless steel outlet filter to prevent particulate ingress into downstream instrumentation
• RS-232 serial interface supporting ASCII command protocol for integration into automated SFC workstations and LIMS environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SFC-24 is validated for use with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) as the primary mobile phase, and compatible with common polar modifiers including methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate at concentrations up to 30% v/v. Its wetted materials meet ASTM F2029-19 requirements for elastomer compatibility with scCO₂ and conform to ISO 13485–aligned manufacturing controls. The pump supports GLP/GMP-compliant operation through configurable audit trail logging (when paired with compliant host software), and its pressure and flow control architecture satisfies the performance criteria outlined in USP for supercritical fluid chromatographic systems. No hazardous refrigerants are employed—fully aligned with EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 and EPA SNAP program restrictions.

Software & Data Management

While the SFC-24 operates autonomously via front-panel control, its RS-232 interface enables bidirectional communication with third-party chromatography data systems (CDS) such as Chromeleon, Empower, or OpenLab. Supported commands include pressure setpoint adjustment, flow rate override, start/stop control, and real-time parameter polling (pressure, temperature, motor steps). All analog sensor outputs—including pressure and Peltier junction temperature—are digitized with 16-bit resolution and timestamped to ±10 ms accuracy. When integrated into 21 CFR Part 11–compliant workflows, the pump’s operational logs (including parameter changes, error events, and runtime statistics) can be archived alongside chromatographic data for full traceability during regulatory submissions.

Applications

• Preparative and analytical supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) for chiral compound separation and purification
• Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of thermolabile phytochemicals, lipids, and cannabinoids
• CO₂-based cleaning and surface modification processes in microelectronics and medical device manufacturing
• Method development for green chemistry alternatives to reversed-phase HPLC using scCO₂–alcohol gradients
• In-process monitoring of density-dependent reactions in continuous-flow supercritical reactors

FAQ

Does the SFC-24 support gradient elution with modifier solvents?
Yes—the pump delivers scCO₂ at constant flow or pressure while external solvent delivery modules (e.g., LC-grade isocratic pumps) introduce co-solvent streams upstream of the mixing tee; SFC-24 maintains total system pressure stability during gradient transitions.
Is Peltier cooling sufficient for subcritical CO₂ condensation control?
Within its specified operating envelope (−10 °C to +25 °C ambient), the integrated Peltier module maintains pump head temperature between 5 °C and 15 °C—sufficient to prevent liquefaction during low-temperature, high-density CO₂ delivery at pressures >3000 psi.
Can the SFC-24 be operated in pressure-control mode without external feedback?
Yes—its internal pressure transducer provides real-time feedback to the onboard controller, enabling fully autonomous pressure-regulated flow adjustment without need for external PID controllers or PLC integration.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the piston seals and check valves?
Under typical SFC usage (≤8 h/day, ≤5000 psi average), stainless steel check valves require inspection every 6 months and piston seal replacement every 12–18 months—documentation and OEM spare parts kits are provided with each unit.