Both the Conjure and Propel meticulously prepare experiments (segments) as discrete volumetric controlled mixtures by independently controlling the volume of each reaction material and rate of mixing.

In the Conjure a segment may be composed of up to four materials (four syringes) and in the Propel the segment may be comprised of up to three materials (three syringes). Depending upon the volumetric configuration of the systems, segment volumes may range from 250µL to 2.5 ml.

Once each reactant material is metered, the materials are synchronously pumped through a mixer, to form the reaction segment. As the segment is formed it is dispensed into an injection loop. Once in the loop, the segment is injected into the primary flow of the reactor and carried through the reactor via an inert primary solvent.

During the synchronized mixing the syringe pumps dispense each material into the mixer at a predetermined rate in order to equally dispense each material across the entire segment so that all materials are proportionally mixed with the others.

When material usage is compared in segmented and continuous flow systems, there is a dramatic reduction in the amount of material required in a segmented flow system.

To achieve a homogeneity solution in continuous flow, reactants must continue to flow in order to reach a steady-state concentration. Whereas in Segmented flow, the components are mixed when the segment is created and in a homogeneous state when injected.

In Segmented flow, 100% of the metered reactant is used in the segment there is little to no waste. Whereas in Continuous flow, a substantially large amount of reactant is not used due to reaction mixing and diffusion rate to achieve a homogeneous mixture.

The volume of reactants used in a single experiment are determined by the following set of equations:

1. Time to steady-state concentration = (2) x (Residence Time)
2. Flow rate = Reactor Volume/ Residence Time
3. Volume to Steady-State = (Flow Rate) x (Time to Steady-state)
4. Experimental Volume = (Volume to Steady-State) + (Desired Reaction Volume)

Example: Residence Time: 5 minutes, Reactor Volume: 2 ml, Desired Volume 200µL

1. Time to steady-state concentration = (2) x (5 minutes) = 10 minutes
2. Flow Rate = (2 ml) / 5 minutes = 400µL/minute
3. Volume to Steady-State = 400µL/minutes x 10 minutes = 4,000µL
4. Experimental Volume = 4,000µL + 200µL = 4,200µL

Therefore, a 200µL experiment in Continuous flow will require 4,200µL of total reactant as compared to 200µL of reactant in Segmented flow.



In addition to a dramatic reduction in material waste, a segmented flow out performs a continuous flow in the speed in which it processes experiments. If you would like to learn more on how a Segmented flow system increases experimental throughput, click on the line for Serial/Parallel Processing.

If you have an immediate question, please click on the link for Questions.