Preparative & Semi-Preparative HPLC System
Preparative & Semi-Preparative HPLC System
Mechotech designs and manufactures preparative and semi-preparative HPLC systems that separate a target compound from a crude mixture and collect it. Where analytical HPLC only measures a sample, a preparative system is built to recover it: pumps drive the mobile phase through a packed column, a detector tracks each eluting band and an automatic fraction collector captures the purified cut. Mechotech’s company profile lists Preparative & semi-preparative HPLC in its peptide and purification line, which also includes peptide synthesisers, rotary evaporators and acetonitrile recovery systems. The system is configured to the separation and the load; the industrial skid with a dynamic axial compression column is the separate Industrial Preparative HPLC page.
A Mechotech preparative HPLC system is built around pumps that deliver the mobile phase as an isocratic or gradient flow, an injection valve for the load, a column packed with the chosen stationary phase, a detector with a flow cell suited to preparative flow, and an automatic fraction collector. A chromatography workstation controls the method, records the chromatogram and manages peak-based or time-based fraction logic. Column size, pump heads, detector optics, product-contact materials and the control and documentation scope are configured to the customer’s separation and facility and are confirmed during project definition; this page quotes no fixed column, flow, loading or pressure figures.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Preparative & Semi-Preparative HPLC System |
|---|---|
| Technology | Preparative and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography with fraction collection |
| Working Principle | The components of a crude mixture separate as the mobile phase carries them through a packed column, at different rates according to their affinity for the stationary phase, and the target band is collected |
| Scale | Laboratory and semi-preparative scale, configured to the separation (the production-scale skid is the separate Industrial Preparative HPLC page) |
| Column | Stainless-steel column; inner diameter, length and stationary phase configured to the separation and the load |
| Pumps | High-pressure pump(s); head size and flow range configured to the column and method |
| Mobile-phase Delivery | Isocratic or gradient, configured to the method |
| Injection | Preparative injection valve; loop or pump-assisted loading, configured to the load |
| Detection | UV / Vis detector with a flow cell suited to preparative flow; wavelength configuration confirmed per project |
| Fraction Collection | Automatic collector triggered by peak threshold or time window |
| Workstation | Chromatography software for method control, chromatogram recording and fraction logic; audit-trail / electronic-record scope confirmed with the client |
| Product-contact Material | Stainless steel; polymer wetted parts selected for the mobile phase and confirmed per project |
| Utilities | Electrical power, solvents and, where specified, degassing facilities |
| Safety | Solvent-handling and pressure-protection features specified and confirmed per project |
| Compliance | GMP hygienic design; full documentation for qualification |
| Output | Collected fractions of the purified target, for downstream concentration, solvent recovery and drying |
Plant Capacities
| Scale | Column / Loading | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-preparative | Configured to the separation and the load | Laboratory-scale isolation and purification |
| Preparative | Configured to the separation and the load | Small-scale purification of peptides, APIs and isolates |
| Industrial | See the Industrial Preparative HPLC (DAC) page | Production-scale purification |
Column inner diameter, stationary phase, pump head size and detector optics are configured to the separation and the load, and no fixed figures are quoted on this page. A trial on the actual mixture is recommended before the system is specified.
Manufacturing Process
Sample & Mobile-Phase Preparation
The crude mixture is dissolved and filtered, and the mobile phases are prepared and degassed so the gradient can be delivered cleanly to the column.
Injection
The preparative injection valve loads a metered charge onto the head of the column, using loop or pump-assisted loading matched to the load.
Gradient or Isocratic Delivery
The pumps drive the mobile phase through the packed bed as an isocratic or gradient flow, as the method requires.
Chromatographic Separation
As the mobile phase carries the sample through the column, the target compound separates from impurities and closely related species into distinct eluting bands.
UV Detection
A detector with a preparative flow cell tracks the eluent, 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, for example with the rotary evaporator or freeze dryer in Mechotech’s peptide line.
Re-Injection / Polishing (Optional)
Where the target purity needs it, the target cut can be re-injected or polished on a second method, and the column re-equilibrated for the next run.
Major Plant Equipment
- High-pressure pump(s) with solvent / buffer delivery
- Preparative injection valve
- Stainless-steel preparative column with stationary phase
- UV / Vis detector with preparative flow cell
- Automatic fraction collector
- Mobile-phase bottles and degassing, where specified
- Chromatography workstation
- Collected-fraction vessels
Plant Output
Applications
- Purification of peptides from a synthesis step, as part of Mechotech’s peptide and purification line
- Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and intermediate purification
- Isolation of natural-product compounds from botanical extracts
- Fine-chemical purification
Key Features
Preparative-Scale Recovery
Unlike analytical HPLC, the system is built to collect product: the purified peaks are physically recovered.
Isocratic or Gradient Delivery
High-pressure pumps deliver the mobile phase as an isocratic or gradient flow, as the method requires.
UV Detection with Preparative Flow Cell
The detector monitors the eluent so that peaks can be identified and collected; wavelength configuration is confirmed per project.
Automatic Fraction Collection
Peak-threshold or time-based logic diverts each resolved band into its own vessel.
Configured Column and Optics
Column dimensions, stationary phase, pump heads and detector optics are configured to the separation and the load.
Turnkey Supply
Pumps, injection valve, column, detector, fraction collector and workstation are supplied as one configured system with installation, commissioning and after-sales service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a preparative HPLC system?
How does preparative HPLC differ from analytical HPLC?
What can a preparative HPLC system purify?
How does automatic fraction collection work?
What column size and loading are available?
What compliance and documentation support is available?
How does this system differ from the Industrial Preparative HPLC system?
Where does it sit in the peptide and purification line?
Does Mechotech supply the system turnkey?
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