Technical Q & A, Static Mixers

Question 1 “What mixer will fit my app? I want to optimize it to get as much mixing as I can without creating too much noise or dead volume. How do I know what will be the optimal mixer volume?”
Answer 1 There is no one correct answer for this question. Our Static Mixer Selection Chart will provide a good estimate. However, to refine the solution the user will need to keep in mind that more mixing volume will create more delay time and less mixing noise. To optimize the mixer volume, the scientist must tune the mixer volume to meet performance specifications of the system method.To save time and development effort, you might consider the new ASI Static Mixer Development Kit.
Question 2 “How do I select the best fit mixer volume for my application?
Answer 2 HPLC– select smallest volume to limit dwell time & peak dispersion Non-reactive reagent mixing– select by largest flow rate Reactive mixing– select larger volume – up to 10x flow of rate-limiting reagent. Other– contact ASI! DWELL volume(supply app note for measuring dwell volume) If dwell volume of system is known, then pick a mixer with that volume. If dwell volume is not known, then determine it (see app note) and match the experimentally determined volume. There is no one correct answer for this question. Our Static Mixer Selection Chart will provide a good estimate. However, to refine the solution the user will need to keep in mind that more mixing volume will create more delay time and less mixing noise.
Question 3 I would like to incorporate 50 µL mixer in a HPLC system to mix two solutions with a 6:1 concentration ratio (0.2 M permanganate at pH 14 + 0.03 M sodium iodide, both aqueous solutions), working between 0.5 mL/min. and 2 mL/min. flow rate. Could you please inform me about the approximate degree of mixing achieved in this case?
Answer 3 PEEK and chemical compatibility are easy — we have PEEK mixers and they are compatible with your reagents. More mixing volume will create more delay time and less mixing noise. Not enough mixing may result in a failed experiment. We can’t accurately predict if 50 µL is enough for your application. Based on flow only, you might consider a 350µL mixer. However, you must confirm if this general approach will meet your performance specifications.
Question 4 I was wondering if you could tell me if ASI Dynamic Mixers are compatible with Agilent 1100/1200/1260 HPLC.
Answer 4 Our Dynamic mixers were developed for use with the Agilent 1100 series pumps, especially when using TFA or other difficult mixing applications.

For illustration ONLY

1. When mixing noise is limiting, use Flow Rate, Column 1

2. Mixing delay volume is sometimes referred to as dead volume. It affects peak shape or dispersion. Use Flow Rate, Column 2 when this is critical.

 

Flow RateMaximum Operating Pressure
Column 1 Column 2   Product Links
The lower limit will be defined by the amount of mixing noise that can be tolerated The upper limit will be the maximum delay time that can be tolerated ASI Mixer Cartridge Volume SST 6K PSI SST 18K PSI Biocompatible 3K PSI
  < 1µL/min. 0.5 µL 40X-000.5 40X-000.5HP 40X-000.5B
0.5 µL/min. 2 µL/min. 1 µL 40X-0001 40X-0001HP 40X-0001B
1 µL/min. 5 µL/min. 2 µL 40X-0002 40X-0002HP 40X-0002B
2 µL/min. 10 µL/min. 5 µL 40X-0005 40X-0005HP 40X-0005B
5 µL/min. 20 µL/min. 10 µL 40X-0010 40X-0010HP 40X-0010B
10 µL/min. 50 µL/min. 25 µL 40X-0025 40X-0025HP 40X-0025B
20 µL/min. 100 µL/min. 50 µL 41X-0050 41X-0050HP 41X-0050B
40 µL/min. 160 µL/min. 80 µL 41X-0080 41X-0080HP  
60 µL/min. 200 µL/min. 100 µL 41X-0100 41X-0100HP 41X-0100B
100 µL/min. 250 µL/min. 150 µL 41X-0150 41X-0150HP 41X-0150B
150 µL/min. 400 µL/min. 200 µL 41X-0200 41X-0200HP 41X-0200B
200 µL/min. 500 µL/min. 250 µL 41X-0250 41X-0250HP 41X-0250B
500 µL/min. 2 mL/min. 350 µL 42X-0350 42X-0350HP 42X-0350B
1 mL/min. 5 mL/min. 500 µL 42X-0500 42X-0500HP 42X-0500B
2 mL/min. 10 mL/min. 800 µL 43X-0800 43X-0800HP 43X-0800B
5 mL/min. 20 mL/min. 1.0 mL 43X-1000 43X-1000HP 43X-1000B
10 mL/min. 30 mL/min. 1.5 mL 43X-1500 43X-1500HP 43X-1500B
20 mL/min. 50 mL/min. 3.0 mL 45X-30X0    
30 mL/min. 80 mL/min. 6.0 mL 45X-60X0
    
50 mL/min. 100 mL/min. 9.0 mL 45X-90X0    
80 mL/min. 1 L/min. 15 mL 45X-150X0