Chromatographic system temperature control system
A temperature controller for simultaneously controlling the temperatures of a plurality of heating elements for use in chromatographic analysis including columns, detectors, valves, transport lines and other components.
1. A method for controlling at least two chromatographic components in a chromatographic system, comprising:
determining a power/temperature relationship for a first component;
determining a power/temperature relationship for a second component;
receiving a time/temperature profile for the first component;
receiving an input identifying whether a time/temperature profile for the second component will track an actual time/temperature profile of the first component;
applying power to the first component to alter a temperature of the first component according to the power-temperature relationship for the first component;
obtaining a temperature measurement of the first component;
constructing the actual time-temperature profile of the first component;
adjusting a first component power supplied to the first component to alter the temperature of the first component according to the power-temperature relationship for the first component as determined by the temperature measurement of the first component;
applying a second component power to the second component to alter the temperature of the second component according to one of the power-temperature relationship for the first component and the actual time-temperature profile of the first component;
obtaining a temperature measurement of the second component;
adjusting the first component power supplied to the first component to alter the temperature of the second component according to one of the group of relationships consisting of the power-temperature relationship for the first component and the actual time-temperature profile of the first component as determined by the temperature measurement of the second component.