30 ANALYTICAL AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
BRINGING INTELLIGENCE to instrumentation
Media control and the concept of embedded fluidic systems for instrumentation. By Gary Stevens
for connecting discrete fluidic components together:
l Composite functioning components
l Manifolded components l Manifold-mounted or cartridge components
l Hybrid bespoke components
Fig. 1. Example of composite components
W
e hear much about the use of ‘embedded electronics’ and the
‘intelligence’ that is incorporated into modern instrumentation systems, but less about any advances made to the ‘plumbing’ of these high-tech devices. Plumbing may seem an
archaic expression for describing the routing of a fluidic system in a sophisticated instrument, but if you are still using tubes and fittings to connect ‘everything’ together, that’s exactly what it is. Although we will always need to use tubes and fittings somewhere in the instrument it is worth considering the alternatives to identify what benefits are available from other technologies. It’s worth remembering that many faults emanate from leaky connections that find their way inside that pristine instrument we have just designed or purchased. Analysis of the flow paths of the various media and functions
www.scientistlive.com
to be controlled is essential to evaluate a suitable method of interconnecting the various elements of a system, taking into account such aspects as internal volume, switching functions, the possibility of pre-mix of reagents, any suspended solids that may be present and materials compatibility.
Conceptually there are a number of alternative methods
Composite components are where a specific function has been built into a single entity such as the dual three-way valve shown in Fig. 1. In this device two independent valves are operated together by a single solenoid actuator; this ensures a synchronous operation where it is required.
Manifold components Manifolded components are just that, a method of assembling a number of similar components to form an array for a specific mode of operation, and a sample of that is shown in Fig. 2. Te individual components cannot be serviced independently. However, special designs for in situ cleaning and fast flush purging can easily be achieved. Manifold-mounted or
cartridge designed manifolds are usually client specific and can
Fig. 2. Example of manifolded components
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100