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ASI QuickSplit™ Flow Splitters
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Product Description
The ASI QuickSplit™ Flow Splitters divide a chromatographic fluid stream in an exactly defined ratio, from 1:1 to 20.000:1. Instead of the usual long capillaries, ASI uses interchangeable fluid resistors, so the split ratio stays stable and reproducible and does not shift with viscosity or pressure changes during gradient elution. Available as fixed, adjustable, multiport and makeup-flow versions, for inlet flows from 0,1 mL/min to 1 L/min.
Product specifications
| Product specifications | Test method | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Measuring and controlling gases & liquids | ||
| Product group | HPLC pumps | ||
Why a flow splitter in your HPLC or LC/MS system?
Your column runs at 1 mL/min. Your mass spectrometer works best at 20 µL/min. That difference has to be bridged somewhere, and redeveloping a validated separation is rarely an option. FDA regulations and established SOPs make every method change costly, and working at mL/min level is in practice simpler and more robust than at µL/min level. Flow splitting lets you run a proven method unchanged while coupling a mass spectrometer or second detector to it.
There are three main reasons to split:
Multiple detectors in parallel. Split between two or more detectors, for example MS alongside ELSD, UV or IR. This is essential when one of the detectors is destructive, such as a mass spectrometer or an evaporative light scattering detector.
Flow reduction for LC/MS. Reduce the column flow from 0,5–2 mL/min to a level at which the ion source works efficiently, without changing the separation.
Mass-directed fraction collection. Split off a small part of the outgoing stream of a preparative column, dilute it with a makeup flow and use the detector signal to control the fraction collector on the remaining preparative stream.
How does the fluid resistor technology work?
A conventional splitter uses capillaries of precisely matched length and diameter. If you want to change the ratio, you have to cut, measure and recalibrate, and every fitting you tighten changes the result.
ASI replaces those capillaries with interchangeable resistor cartridges. The splitter body contains two parallel flow paths, each with a fluid resistor. The split ratio is simply the ratio between those two resistors:
Split ratio = Q1/Q2 = L2/L1where Q1 is the high flow, Q2 the low flow, and L1/L2 the resistance values.
A different split ratio therefore means: cartridge out, another cartridge in. No calibration, no capillary work. Because both paths see the same liquid under the same conditions, the ratio stays constant regardless of viscosity, which is crucial in gradient chromatography, where the solvent mixture changes continuously during the run.
Four versions
QuickSplit Fixed Flow SplitterTwo fixed resistor cartridges form a factory-set split ratio of 1:1 to 20.000:1. No adjustment, no calibration, no moving parts. Accuracy ±10%, with the option to correct within that tolerance via the inlet flow: 10% more inlet flow gives 10% more flow in both channels. Working pressure up to 350 bar, pressure drop at most 500 PSI at the calibration flow.
QuickSplit Adjustable Flow SplitterThe low-flow side runs through a fixed cartridge, the high-flow side through an adjustable resistor (metering valve). With the adjustment knob you change the split ratio in real time over a range of a factor 20, for example 1:1 to 20:1. At a fixed inlet flow you vary the low split flow by a factor 10 (for example 10 to 100 µL/min); conversely, you keep a fixed split flow while the inlet flow varies by a factor 10. Repeatability ±2% of the setting. A graduated indicator rod shows the position, documented in the supplied calibration data. Unlike splitter valves or tees, the setting is not disturbed by pump stops or pressure spikes.
QuickSplit Multiport Fixed Flow SplitterDivides the incoming flow over three or four channels, with identical or channel-specific ratios. Intended for setups with multiple detectors and/or a fraction collector. Low internal dead volume, replaceable inlet filter. Available for analytical and semi-preparative flows.
QuickSplit Makeup-Flow SplitterSpecifically for mass-directed fraction collection. A small part of the preparative stream is split off and combined directly in the splitter body with a makeup flow, without intermediate tees or fittings. The unique manifold design keeps dead volume and peak dispersion extremely low. The integrated delay coil provides a delay of at least 5 seconds at maximum inlet flow, so detection and fraction collection run correctly in sequence. Available in fixed and adjustable versions, for 1 to 150 mL/min.
Aangetoond: dood volume is geen probleem
ASI measured band broadening by comparing a direct flow at 10 µL/min with a split flow via the Adjustable Makeup-Flow Splitter (Shimadzu LC10 AD VP, UV @254 on-column, water).
| Configuration | Variance |
|---|---|
| Direct flow, 10 µL/min | 1,2 µL² |
| Split flow without makeup, 10 µL/min | 0,8 µL² |
| Split flow + 7 µL/min makeup (total 17 µL/min) | 1,4 µL² |
The split flow performs comparably to the direct flow. The dead volume of the splitter does not contribute significantly to system dispersion, and the makeup flow improves the peak shape while also giving an extra control to tune the timing between MS detector and fraction collector.
Which QuickSplit suits your application?
| Version | Inlet range | Split ratio | Accuracy | Best choice for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed, binary | 0,1 mL/min – 1 L/min | 1:1 – 20.000:1 (fixed) | ±10% | Fixed, validated method; lowest cost; no operation |
| Fixed, multiport (3/4 ports) | 0,1 – 40 mL/min | Custom per channel | ±10% | Multiple detectors and/or fraction collector in parallel |
| Adjustable | 0,25 mL/min – 1 L/min | Adjustable over a factor 20 | ±2% of setting | Method development; optimising the MS flow during the run |
| Makeup flow, fixed | 1 – 150 mL/min | 40:1 – 20.000:1 | ±10% | Routine mass-directed fraction collection |
| Makeup flow, adjustable | 1 – 150 mL/min | Adjustable | ±10% | Prep HPLC with varying inlet flows or varying split flow |
Three questions that determine your choice
Is your method fixed or still in development? With a validated routine method, the Fixed Flow Splitter is the logical choice: cheaper, simpler, nothing to adjust. If you are still developing or regularly change methods, the Adjustable pays for itself: you adjust the ratio without changing cartridges.
Do you split before or after the column? Post-column splitting is straightforward. With pre-column splitting, the effective split ratio changes as soon as the column is installed, because the column adds resistance to the low-flow channel. That resistance must be taken into account when choosing the cartridge. When ordering a pre-column splitter, always state the column flow and the column back pressure; without that data, ASI configures by default for 0,5 mL/min and 1.500 PSI pressure drop. For accurate pre-column splitting we recommend the ASI A650 Automated Flow Splitter.
Are you controlling a fraction collector? Then you need a makeup flow and a delay coil. These are integrated as standard in every Makeup-Flow Splitter; building them separately with tees costs you dead volume and peak shape.
Properties
- Split ratio from 1:1 to 20.000:1, fixed or adjustable
- Interchangeable fluid resistors: change the split ratio without capillary work or recalibration
- Split ratio not affected by viscosity or pressure changes in post-column applications
- Inlet flow from 0,1 mL/min to 1 L/min (higher flows on request)
- Maximum working pressure 350 bar; pressure drop < 500 PSI at the specified inlet flow
- Binary, three-port and four-port configurations
- Ultra-low dead volume for minimal dispersion
- Compact housing, can be placed close to the detector
- Replaceable inlet filters (2, 10 or 20 micron) for long-term operational reliability
- Replacement resistor sets for all models, standard and custom
- Optional mounting bracket
- Makeup port and delay coil on all makeup-flow versions
- Installation within minutes
Technical specifications
Fixed splitters: ranges and type numbers (binary, post-column)
| Range | Inlet flow | Calibration flow | Available split ratios | Type number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical | 0,1 – 5 mL/min | 1,0 mL/min | 1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1, 200:1, 500:1, 1.000:1, 2.000:1 | 620-PO10-xx |
| Analytical, high ratio | 0,1 – 5 mL/min | 1,0 mL/min | 2.000:1 – 20.000:1 | 620-PO10-HS |
| Semi-preparative | 5 – 40 mL/min | 20,0 mL/min | 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1, 200:1 | 620-PO20-xx |
| Semi-prep, high ratio | 5 – 40 mL/min | 20,0 mL/min | 500:1 – 20.000:1 | 620-PO20-HS |
| Preparative | 30 – 200 mL/min | to specification | custom | 620-PO40-CS |
| High-preparative | 200 – 1.000 mL/min | to specification | custom | 620-PO60-CS |
| Multiport, 3 ports | 0,1 – 5 / 5 – 40 mL/min | to specification | custom | 630-PO10-CS / 630-PO20-CS |
| Multiport, 4 ports | 0,1 – 5 / 5 – 40 mL/min | to specification | custom | 640-PO10-CS / 640-PO20-CS |
Replacement resistor sets: 620-1110-xx (analytical), 620-1120-xx (semi-prep), 620-1140-CS (prep), 620-1160-CS (high-prep).
Adjustable splitters: ranges and type numbers
| Range | Inlet flow | Calibration flow | Split ratio range | Type number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical, post-column | 0,25 – 5 mL/min | 1,0 mL/min | 1:1–20:1 / 5:1–100:1 / 15:1–300:1 / 50:1–1.000:1 | 600-PO10-06 / -04 / -03 / -01 |
| Analytical, pre-column | 0,25 – 1 mL/min | 0,5 mL/min | same (< 3.500 PSI at 0,5 mL/min) | 600-PR10-06 / -04 / -03 / -01 |
| Semi-preparative | 5 – 40 mL/min | 20,0 mL/min | 1:1–20:1 / 15:1–300:1 / 100:1–2.000:1 / 1.000:1–20.000:1 | 600-PO20-03 / -02 / -01 / -00 |
| Preparative | 40 – 125 mL/min | custom | custom | 600-PO30-CS |
| Preparative | 75 – 200 mL/min | custom | custom | 600-PO40-CS |
| Preparative | 100 – 1.000 mL/min | custom | custom | 600-PO60-CS |
Replacement resistor cartridges: 600-1110-xx (analytical), 600-1120-xx (semi-prep), 600-1130/1140/1160-CS (prep).
Makeup-Flow Splitters, fixed version (selection)
| Inlet range | Split ratio | Split flow at calibration flow | Type number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 5 mL/min | 400:1 / 200:1 / 100:1 / 40:1 | 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 µL/min at 2 mL/min | 692-PO01-05 t/m -50 |
| 5 – 10 mL/min | 2.000:1 / 1.000:1 / 500:1 / 200:1 | 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 µL/min at 10 mL/min | 692-PO05-05 t/m -50 |
| 10 – 20 mL/min | 4.000:1 / 2.000:1 / 1.000:1 / 400:1 | 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 µL/min at 20 mL/min | 692-PO10-05 t/m -50 |
| 20 – 50 mL/min | 10.000:1 / 5.000:1 / 2.500:1 / 1.000:1 | 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 µL/min at 50 mL/min | 692-PO20-05 t/m -50 |
| 50 – 150 mL/min | 20.000:1 / 10.000:1 / 5.000:1 / 2.000:1 | 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 µL/min at 100 mL/min | 692-PO50-05 t/m -50 |
Makeup-Flow Splitters, adjustable version
| Inlet range | Split flow range / fixed split flow | Type number |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 10 mL/min (calibration 5 mL/min) | 1,2–10 / 2,5–20 / 5–40 / 12,5–100 µL/min | 690-PO01-05 t/m -50 |
| 10 – 50 mL/min (calibration 30 mL/min) | same | 690-PO10-05 t/m -50 |
| 50 – 150 mL/min (calibration 100 mL/min) | same | 690-PO50-05 t/m -50 |
Each adjustable makeup-flow splitter is supplied with a calibration plot of inlet flow versus resistor rod position. Pressure range approx. 100–800 PSI over the specified split flow range.
Important when ordering: always state the actual inlet flow if it differs substantially from the standard calibration flow. Only then is the pressure drop across the splitter guaranteed below 500 PSI and does the pressure profile match the supplied calibration data. For preparative and high-preparative models, stating the inlet flow is mandatory.
Applications
LC/MS and flow reduction to the ion source · parallel detection with MS, ELSD, UV, IR or CAD · mass-directed fraction collection in preparative HPLC · flow fractionation · pre- and post-column splitting · capillary and nano chromatography · sample introduction in process analysis systems · OEM integration in analytical instruments.
Custom split ratios
Split ratios and resistor cartridges outside the standard tables are available (type numbers ending in -CS). Multiport configurations with different ratios per channel are also supplied to specification; state the inlet flow and the required outlet flow per channel. Inacom works with ASI to determine the right configuration for you.
