Tongtian TBP-5020 Dual-Piston Constant Flow Pump, 20 MPa High-Pressure Precision Metering Pump

Overview

The Tongtian TBP-5020 is a dual-piston, microprocessor-controlled constant flow pump engineered for high-precision, continuous liquid delivery under sustained high pressure up to 20 MPa. It operates on positive displacement principle using sapphire-plunger and sapphire-ball check valves, ensuring minimal compressibility error and exceptional long-term volumetric accuracy. Designed for laboratory-scale applications requiring strict flow stability and chemical compatibility—particularly in preparative chromatography, reaction monitoring, catalyst screening, and continuous-flow synthesis—the TBP-5020 delivers robust performance where pulse-free flow, solvent resistance, and trace-level reproducibility are critical. Its architecture conforms to fundamental principles of reciprocating piston metering: two synchronized pistons operate out-of-phase to cancel volumetric pulsation, while integrated pressure transduction and real-time feedback enable closed-loop regulation of both flow rate and system backpressure.

Key Features

• Dual-piston configuration with phase-shifted actuation reduces pressure pulsation to ≤ 0.10 MPa—critical for minimizing baseline noise in UV/Vis detection and preventing column damage in HPLC-like systems.
• Chemically inert wetted path composed of sapphire (plungers and ball valves), 316L stainless steel (pump head and tubing), and zirconia ceramic (seals)—validated for compatibility with acetonitrile, THF, DCM, DMF, methanol, and dilute mineral acids/bases.
• High-resolution flow control across 0.1–50.0 mL/min range with ≤ ±1% setting error and ≤ ±1% repeatability (measured per ISO 5199 Annex B protocols for positive displacement pumps).
• Integrated overpressure protection circuitry automatically halts operation if system pressure exceeds user-defined threshold—preventing seal failure and safeguarding downstream instrumentation.
• Large backlit LCD display provides simultaneous readout of setpoint flow, actual flow, system pressure, elapsed runtime, and error status codes.
• RS232 serial interface enables bidirectional communication with host PCs; supports ASCII command protocol for integration into custom LabVIEW, Python, or MATLAB automation frameworks.
• Onboard timer function allows programmable start/stop sequences with resolution down to 1 minute—ideal for unattended overnight reactions or gradient elution protocols.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TBP-5020 is suitable for handling low-to-medium viscosity Newtonian liquids (up to ~500 cP) including organic solvents, aqueous buffers, polymer solutions, and mildly abrasive suspensions. Its wetted materials meet ASTM F2028-18 requirements for biocompatible fluid-contact surfaces and demonstrate no measurable leachables in extractables testing per USP . While not certified to IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 for EMC or CE-marked for EU medical device use, the pump complies with general laboratory equipment safety standards (GB 4793.1–2007 / IEC 61010-1) and is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant analytical labs conducting method development per ICH Q2(R2). Optional firmware upgrades support audit trail logging aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated PC-based control software.

Software & Data Management

The included Windows-compatible control software provides full remote operation via RS232—including real-time plotting of pressure vs. time curves, export of CSV-formatted operational logs (timestamp, setpoint flow, actual flow, pressure, temperature), and password-protected parameter locking for SOP enforcement. All data points are time-stamped with millisecond precision using the host PC’s system clock. The software supports batch-mode method loading, enabling rapid reconfiguration between different application profiles (e.g., “Flash Chromatography” vs. “Catalytic Reaction Feed”). Raw pressure waveform data can be exported for FFT analysis to assess mechanical wear or identify cavitation onset—facilitating predictive maintenance planning without disassembly.

Applications

• Preparative liquid chromatography (prep-LC) and flash chromatography systems operating at ≤ 20 MPa, especially when interfaced with UV detectors or fraction collectors requiring stable baseline conditions.
• Continuous-flow reactor feed systems for pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis, where stoichiometric precision and residence time control directly impact impurity profile and yield.
• Calibration of flow meters and pressure sensors in metrology labs, leveraging its certified repeatability and traceable pressure transducer output.
• Delivery of aggressive reagents (e.g., anhydrous AlCl₃ solutions, HF-containing etchants) in semiconductor R&D, enabled by zirconia/sapphire corrosion resistance.
• Long-duration environmental simulation studies—such as soil column leaching or membrane fouling tests—where uninterrupted 72+ hour operation at fixed flow is required.

FAQ

What solvents are compatible with the TBP-5020’s fluidic path?
The sapphire/316L/zirconia construction is compatible with most common HPLC-grade organic solvents, aqueous buffers (pH 2–12), and halogenated hydrocarbons. Avoid concentrated oxidizing acids (e.g., >30% HNO₃), molten alkalis, and hydrofluoric acid.
Can the pump be operated without a computer connection?
Yes—full local control is available via front-panel keypad and LCD. RS232 is optional for automation or data logging.
Is flow calibration traceable to national standards?
Factory calibration uses gravimetric measurement against NIST-traceable mass standards (OIML R117 compliant); users may perform field recalibration using certified volumetric flasks and stopwatch timing.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Sapphire components require no scheduled replacement; pump seals should be inspected every 6 months or after 2000 hours of operation—whichever occurs first.
Does the pump support analog input for external flow setpoint modulation?
No—only digital RS232 command interface is provided. Analog voltage input (0–5 V or 4–20 mA) is not supported in current firmware revision.