Ultrasonic Flow Sensors Application in the Chromatographic Filtration Process

With the rapid development of biopharmaceutical technology, the demands for detecting and quantifying biologics are increasing.

Chromatographic filtration is a commonly used analytical method in biopharmaceuticals, where flow control plays a crucial role in achieving efficient analysis.

In recent years, ultrasonic flow sensors have gradually become the focal point of chromatographic filtration process in the biopharmaceutical industry due to the advantages of high precision, high stability, no pollution, no need movingc parts.

Fact about Chromatographic

Filtration Chromatographic filtration is an important separation and quantification technology in biopharmaceuticals, widely used in the purification, detection, and quantitative analysis of biomolecules process.

Chromatographic filtration refers to the separation and determination of multi-component mixtures by utilizing the differences in the physical and chemical properties of each component in the mixture.

The mechanism of chromatography can be divided into adsorption chromatography, distribution chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, and so on.

In the process of chromatography, controlling the flow rate significantly influences the efficiency of the chromatographic column, the separation effect of the samples, and the overall results of the experiment.

Traditional flow controllers, such as rotary pumps and piston pumps, have achieved some success in practical applications. However, their complex structure and limited lifespan make it challenging to meet the demand for high-precision and high-stability flow control in the field of biopharmaceuticals.

Therefore, the adoption of a new type of flow control technology has become an urgent need.

The Working Principle of Ultrasonic Flow Sensor

Ultrasonic flow sensors, as a new type of flow measurement equipment, have garnered widespread attention in recent years for their applications in biopharmaceutical chromatography filtration.

Ultrasonic flow sensors utilize ultrasonic propagation characteristics in the fluid medium to measure the flow. Their working principle is based on tTransit-time difference technology.

When the ultrasonic wave propagates downstream, its propagation time decreases due to the fluid flow; conversely, in the upstream, its propagation time increases due to the fluid flow. Ultrasonic flow sensors or ultrasonic flow meters measure the ultrasonic propagation time in both downstream and upstream to calculate fluid flow rates and cumulative volume.

The main components of the ultrasonic flow sensor include the transmitter, receiver, signal processor, and optional display . The transmitter is responsible for generating ultrasonic signals, the receiver is responsible for receiving the ultrasonic signals during the propagation process, the signal processor processes and calculates the received signals, and finally, the display shows the measurement results.

This non-invasive measurement method not only reduces interference with the fluid but also achieves high accuracy and stability.

XY-TEK Ultrasonic Flow Sensor Introduction

XY-TEK has developed an ultrasonic flow sensor with a measurement accuracy of ±1%. The clamp on design enables the ultrasonic sensor does not direct contact with the measured fluid. It can be easily disassembled and installed within seconds.

In addition, the clamp-on ultrasonic flow sensors can be flexibly deployed near the inlet and outlet of critical piping and pumps to monitor the aging of the tubing or the degradation of the pump performance.

This allows for early intervention to prevent unnecessary wastage of reagents and experimental failures.

Advantages of XY-TEK Ultrasonic Flow Sensors in Biopharmaceuticals Chromatographic Filtration

Compared to traditional flow meters, XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensors offer the following advantages in the biopharmaceuticals chromatographic filtration.

1. High Accuracy The XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor offers an accuracy of up to ±1%, allowing precise control of the flow rate and improve the g the analysisresult of chromatographic experiments.
2. High Stability The XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor features no movingparts, and reduces measurement errors caused by wear and tear of components
3. Non-contact Measurement The XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor utilizes non-invasive measurement, not directly interference with the fluid. This approach effectively prevents the risk of sample contamination and loss of biological activity.
4. Wide Range The XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor offers a broad measurement range, enabling accurate measurement of both low and high flow rates. It is suitable for various chromatography applications in biopharmaceuticals industry
5. Easy to Maintain The structure of the XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor is simple, with no wear and tear during use, and no need for regular part replacements, reducing maintenance costs.

Application in Biopharmaceuticals Chromatographic Filtration

1. Protein Purification High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a commonly used method for separating and analyzing proteins during the purification process. By using XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensors, precise control of the mobile phase and the sample can be achieved, thereby enhancing the efficiency of protein separation. In this process, the high accuracy and stability of XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensors help enhance protein purity and yield while reducing the risk of protein inactivation.
2. Antibody-drug Analysis Antibody drugs, as crucial products in the biopharmaceutical field, have stringent requirements for quality and purity. XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor plays a crucial role in the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for analyzing antibody drugs. By controlling the flow rate accurately, effective separation of antibody drugs can be achieved, thereby enhancing the quality and efficacy of the drugs.
3. Biopharmaceutical Production Process Monitoring and Control In the biological drug production process, real-time monitoring of key parameters is essential. For example, in the chromatographic online monitoring of the production process of biological drugs, the sample is separated by the chromatographic column. The components will flow out in a certain order. The XY-TEK ultrasonic flow sensor can monitor the flow rate of the components as they flow out..

Then, according to the detector to obtain the signal, combined with the retention time of the chromatographic column, the computer software processes the data in real-time to monitor the concentration of nutrients in the culture medium. This helps optimize the production process and improve the yield and quality of biopharmaceuticals.

Ultrasonic flow sensors play a significant role in the chromatographic filtration of biopharmaceuticals, offering notable advantages. This technology has emerged as a new focal point in biopharmaceutical applications.

With the continuous development of ultrasonic flow sensor technology, its application in the chromatographic filtration of biopharmaceuticals will become more extensive and in-depth.

Through continuous optimization of ultrasonic flow sensor performance and functionality, it is expected to provide more efficient, accurate, and reliable analysis methods for the biopharmaceutical industry, and to promote the ongoing development of biopharmaceutical technology.