Single stage flow modulator for performing comprehensive chromatography

1. A single stage flow modulator for performing comprehensive chromatography, comprising:

a first chromatographic column; and

a valve fluidically coupled to at least two fluid conduits, wherein when in a first position, the valve directs a control flow to direct an output of the first chromatographic column to a first detector; and

wherein when in a second position, the valve directs a control flow to direct a portion of an output of the first chromatographic column to a second chromatographic column, wherein the valve is isolated from the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column and from an input of the second chromatographic column and uses pressure to direct the control flow, wherein the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column directed to the second chromatographic column is directly transferred from the first chromatographic column to the second chromatographic column and is continuously modulated throughout a sample run to perform continuous heart cutting throughout the sample run resulting in each peak eluting from the first chromatographic column having at least some portion transferred to the second chromatographic column.

2. The flow modulator of claim 1 , wherein the valve and the at least two fluid conduits are part of a Deans switch.

3. The flow modulator of claim 2 , further comprising:

a first data channel resulting from a one-dimensional separation of a sample using the first chromatographic column; and

a second data channel resulting from an interaction of the sample on the first chromatographic column and the second chromatographic column, thus providing comprehensive chromatography, wherein the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column that is diverted to the second chromatographic column is approximately 5% to 10% of the output of the first chromatographic column.

4. The flow modulator of claim 3 , wherein a portion of the sample is directed through the first chromatographic column and analyzed using a primary detector.

5. The flow modulator of claim 4 , wherein the first data channel further comprises a selective detector to perform analysis chosen from detecting and quantifying trace compounds in a complex sample and obtaining spectral data of compounds eluting from the first chromatographic column.

6. The flow modulator of claim 3 , wherein, the single stage flow modulator provides two separate and independent analysis channels.

7. The flow modulator of claim 6 , wherein the single stage flow modulator is selectively operated to direct only a portion of an output of the first chromatographic column to the second chromatographic column so that a chromatographic separation performed on the second chromatographic column can be fine tuned.

8. The flow modulator of claim 6 , wherein the single stage flow modulator performs heart cutting two-dimensional chromatography.

9. A method for performing comprehensive chromatography, comprising:

directing an output of a primary chromatographic column to a restrictor and a primary detector;

performing chromatographic analysis using the primary column;

determining an amount of effluent from the primary column to direct to a secondary column;

controlling a valve to direct the desired amount of effluent from the primary column to the secondary column using a single stage flow modulator using pressure to direct the control flow; and

performing comprehensive chromatography using the secondary column, wherein the portion of the output of the primary column directed to the secondary column is directly transferred from the primary column to the secondary column and is continuously modulated throughout a sample run to perform continuous heart cutting throughout the sample run resulting in each peak eluting from the primary column having at least some portion transferred to the secondary column.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the valve and the at least two fluid conduits are part of a Deans switch.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

forming a first data channel resulting from a one-dimensional separation of a sample using the primary column; and

forming a second data channel resulting from an interaction of the sample on the primary column and the secondary column, thus providing comprehensive chromatography, wherein the portion of the output of the primary column that is diverted to the secondary column is approximately 5% to 10% of the output of the primary column.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

directing a portion of the sample through the primary column; and

analyzing the portion of the sample using a primary detector.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first data channel further comprises analysis chosen from detecting and quantifying trace compounds in a complex sample and obtaining spectral data of the eluting compounds.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the single stage flow modulator provides two separate and independent analysis channels.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising selectively operating the single stage flow modulator to direct only a portion of an output of the primary column to the secondary column so that a chromatographic separation performed on the secondary column can be fine tuned.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising performing heart cutting two-dimensional chromatography.

17. A chromatograph, comprising:

a first chromatographic column; and

a valve fluidically coupled to at least two fluid conduits, the at least two fluid conduits, wherein when in a first position, the valve directs a control flow to direct an output of the first chromatographic column to a first detector; and

wherein when in a second position, the valve directs a control flow to direct a portion of an output of the first chromatographic column directly to a second chromatographic column, wherein the valve is isolated from the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column and from an input of the second chromatographic column and uses pressure to direct the control flow, wherein the valve continuously modulates the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column directed to the second chromatographic column throughout a sample run to perform continuous heart cutting throughout the sample run resulting in each peak eluting from the first chromatographic column having at least some portion transferred to the second chromatographic column.

18. The chromatograph of claim 17 , wherein the valve and the at least two fluid conduits are part of a Deans switch.

19. The chromatograph of claim 18 , further comprising:

a first data channel resulting from a one-dimensional separation of a sample using the first chromatographic column; and

a second data channel resulting from an interaction of the sample on the first chromatographic column and the second chromatographic column, thus providing comprehensive chromatography, wherein the portion of the output of the first chromatographic column that is diverted to the second chromatographic column is approximately 5% to 10% of the output of the first chromatographic column.

20. The chromatograph of claim 19 , wherein the first data channel and the second data channel are two separate and independent analysis channels.