Preparative & Semi-Preparative HPLC Purification System
Preparative & Semi-Preparative HPLC Purification System
Mechotech designs and manufactures turnkey preparative and semi-preparative HPLC systems that separate and purify target compounds — peptides, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and natural-product monomers — from complex reaction mixtures to high purity. Where analytical HPLC only measures a sample, a preparative system is built to recover it: high-pressure infusion pumps drive milligram-to-multi-gram loads through a packed column, a UV or dual-wavelength detector tracks each eluting band, and an automatic fraction collector captures the purified peaks. The result is an isolated, high-purity product ready for further processing, characterisation or formulation. Mechotech engineers the complete system — pumps, injection valve, column, detector, fraction collector and chromatography workstation — for universities, pharmaceutical R&D laboratories and small-scale production.
A Mechotech preparative HPLC system is built around one or more high-pressure infusion pumps that deliver a precise, pulseless mobile-phase gradient, an injection valve sized for preparative loads, and a stainless-steel column packed with the chosen stationary phase. As the sample separates, a UV/Vis or dual-wavelength detector fitted with a preparative flow cell monitors the eluent and triggers the automatic fraction collector to divert each resolved peak into its own vessel. The chromatography workstation controls the gradient, records the full chromatogram, and manages peak-based or time-based fraction logic; where regulated work is required, the software supports audit-trail and electronic-record functions in line with 21 CFR Part 11. Column inner diameter typically spans 10–80 mm for semi-preparative to preparative duty, product-contact parts are stainless steel and inert polymers, and pump heads, column dimensions and detector optics are configured to the customer's separation and loading. It integrates naturally upstream or downstream of Mechotech's purification line, taking a crude synthesis mixture through to a purified, collected fraction.
Technical Specifications
| Technology | Preparative / semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography |
|---|---|
| Working Principle | Affinity-based separation on a packed column with fraction recovery |
| Column Inner Diameter | ~10–80 mm (semi-prep to prep, configurable) |
| Pump | High-pressure infusion pump(s), configurable head size for flow range |
| Delivery Mode | Isocratic or binary/ternary gradient (configurable) |
| Injection | Preparative injection valve, loop or pump-assisted loading |
| Sample Loading | Milligram to multi-gram per run (application-dependent) |
| Detector | UV / Vis single- or dual-wavelength with preparative flow cell |
| Fraction Collector | Automatic, peak-threshold or time-window triggered |
| Workstation | Chromatography software with audit trail & e-signature (21 CFR Part 11 support) |
| Product-contact Material | Stainless steel and inert polymers (PEEK / PTFE) |
| Utilities | Electrical power, solvents, compressed gas / vacuum for degassing |
| Safety | Over-pressure protection, solvent-leak sensing (configurable) |
| Output | High-purity collected fraction of peptide, API or isolate |
Plant Capacities
| Scale | Column ID | Typical Loading | Configuration | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical (reference) | ~4.6 mm | µg–mg | Single pump, standard flow cell | Method scouting & analysis |
| Semi-preparative | ~10–20 mm | mg–100s of mg | High-pressure pump, prep flow cell | R&D isolation & purification |
| Preparative | ~20–50 mm | 100s mg–multi-gram | High-pressure pump, auto fraction collector | Peptide / API purification |
| Large preparative | ~50–80 mm | multi-gram | Twin high-pressure pumps, gradient | Small-scale production |
Column inner diameter, stationary phase, pump head size and detector optics are configured to the separation and loading; analytical dimensions are listed only as the method-development reference. Loading depends heavily on the sample and required purity — larger and custom configurations on request.
Manufacturing Process
Sample & Mobile-Phase Preparation
The crude mixture is dissolved and filtered, and the aqueous/organic mobile phases are degassed and staged so the gradient can be delivered cleanly to the column.
Injection
The preparative injection valve loads a metered milligram-to-multi-gram charge onto the head of the column, using loop or pump-assisted loading matched to the load size.
High-Pressure Gradient Delivery
High-pressure infusion pumps drive a precise, reproducible gradient through the packed bed, so components separate by their differing affinity for the stationary phase.
Chromatographic Separation
As the mobile phase carries the sample through the column, the target compound resolves from impurities and closely related species into distinct eluting bands.
UV / Dual-Wavelength Detection
A detector with a preparative flow cell tracks the eluent at one or two wavelengths, drawing the chromatogram and marking each peak in real time.
Automatic Fraction Collection
Peak-threshold or time-window logic in the workstation triggers the fraction collector to divert each resolved band into its own vessel, isolating the target cut.
Concentration & Recovery
Collected fractions are pooled and the solvent removed by evaporation or lyophilisation to recover the purified compound as a concentrate or solid.
Re-Injection / Polishing (Optional)
For very high purity the target cut can be re-injected or polished on a second method, and the column re-equilibrated for the next run.
Applications
- Synthetic and recombinant peptide purification and desalting
- Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and intermediate purification
- Isolation of natural-product monomers, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides
- Reference-standard and impurity-marker preparation
- Method development and small-scale production in pharma R&D
- Teaching and research chromatography in universities and institutes
- Purification of fine chemicals and specialty organics
- Enrichment of trace compounds for characterisation and assay
Key Features
Preparative-Scale Recovery
Unlike analytical HPLC, the system is built to collect product — milligram-to-multi-gram loads are separated and the purified peaks are physically recovered.
High-Pressure Infusion Pumps
Precise, low-pulsation pumps deliver reproducible isocratic or gradient mobile phases for sharp, repeatable separations run after run.
UV / Dual-Wavelength Detection
A detector with a preparative flow cell monitors the eluent at one or two wavelengths, so peaks are identified accurately even at high concentration.
Automatic Fraction Collection
Peak-threshold or time-based logic diverts each resolved band into its own vessel, capturing the target cut cleanly without operator intervention.
Compliant Chromatography Workstation
Method control, full chromatogram recording and fraction logic, with audit-trail and electronic-record support in line with 21 CFR Part 11 for regulated work.
Configurable Column & Optics
Column inner diameter, stationary phase, pump heads and detector optics are configured to the separation, from semi-preparative to preparative loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a preparative HPLC system?
How does preparative HPLC differ from analytical HPLC?
What can a preparative HPLC system purify?
What is the difference between semi-preparative and preparative scale?
How does automatic fraction collection work?
Is the software suitable for regulated pharmaceutical work?
Does Mechotech supply the system turnkey?
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