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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:36 pm
In our lab we use a constant volume Eldex Optos 2SI single-head reciprocating pump (PEEK flow path; ruby seats and sapphire balls) to create a very thin liquid jet for spectroscopic study of the resultant jet solution. Since this single-head HPLC solvent pump introduces pulsing (which is terrible if you want to overlap the jet with a laser, for example) two pulse dampeners downstream of the HPLC pump were introduced. (SSI Lo-Pulse LP-21; PEEK). Inlet tubing is 1/8'' OD PTFE and the outlet tubing is 1/16'' OD PEEK rated to 5000 psi.
These pulse dampeners dampened the pulsations considerably. Since these dampeners are rated to work optimally at 1000 psi, I introduced a 1000 psi backpressure regulator (Upchurch; PEEK) after both the pulse dampeners, however the pulsations again returned after installation of the regulator.
I figure that I must be doing something fundamentally wrong with the backpressure regulator such that I re-introduce pulsations. Is it a matter of tightening the backpressure assembly at a given flow-rate such that the pulsations disappear? I'm unsure as to whether the regulator needs recalibration at different flow rates.
All the best,
Ryan