QuantaSep® 1000 LC System Specifications

1.0 System Overview

This specification describes a benchtop chromatography automation system. System is integrated into a single cabinet weighing approximately 140 lbs. The cabinet is approximately 21″ x 26.5″ x 15.8″ tall. A personal computer is used to control the system and can be located up to 25 ft away. The system is compatible with aqueous buffers and 1M NaOH or 19% alcohol for CIP operations and operable at 2° to 30° C, thus applicable for cold room processing.

Other, more general, descriptions of the system can be found in the QuantaSep® 1000 brochure.

1.1 The fluid handling module

The fluid handling module contains: two Rotary Piston pumps, reinforced silicone tubing with sanitary connections, diaphragm shielded valves, UV 280nm, pH, conductivity, pressure, temperature, air sensor and air purge valve, sanitary inlets and outlets all enclosed in a 316-Stainless-Steel cabinet. Total hold-up volume is approximately 120 mls from any one buffer inlet to any one fraction outlet.

Recommended minimal flowrate 10ml/min; Maximum flowrate 1.000ml/min.

1.2 The control module

The control module contains: All power supplies, circuit boards, alarm controls, sensor electronics including A/D and D/A converters, internal and external detector connections and emergency switch, internal cables, computer interface, fuse blocks, etc.

1.3 System control

The system is controlled by a Pentium personal computer which includes a 1.2 GB hard drive, VGA graphics card 4MB VRAM, printer port, single 3.5″ floppy disk drive, SVGA 17″ Monitor, resident DOS 6.2, mouse drivers, QuantaSep® version 2.3 control/documentation software (current versions) etc. and 32 MB RAM, or current market available, upgraded versions of the above.

2.0 Flow Path Description

2.1 Inlets

Sample feed and buffer tanks are connected to 2 x 6 sanitary flanged inlets positioned on the system’s left side as you face the front. These 1/4″ bore inlets are connected to the Inlet Manifolds which supply the product to the pumps.

2.2 Pump

The two positive displacement pumps drive the selected process fluids into the system and deliver them via the static mixer to the column and sensors. The pumps are driven by computer controlled stepper-motors which will allow the system to form accurate binary gradients from 10-90% composition +/- 1% to the total gradient flow rate.

2.3 Mixer

A static mixer combines the two flow streams to produce a single uniform binary composition gradient.

2.4 Pressure and air detectors

A pressure transducer detects process stream pressure for recording to the computer and alarm control.A non-invasive air sensor detects air for system alarm or purging through the air purge valve, if this option is selected. Alternatively, a bubble trap can be provided to remove air from the system.

2.5 Column valve manifold

The column manifold with bypass valve follows the air purge valve in sequence. This allows for connection of up to three columns in forward flow.

2.6 Process Sensors

UV 280nm , pH, temperature, and conductivity sensors continuously monitor the column effluent. Flow cells are cleanable and have sanitary connections. For hold-up volume reduction, UV, pH and temperature probes are mounted in one detector unit.

Additional UV, pH and conductivity sensors can be provided (as an option). One “User Input” is available (standard) on the system.

2.7 Fraction outlets

After the system monitors, the process stream flows to one of ports of the 10-port fraction manifold.

2.8 Alarm

An audible alarm will sound at the instrument and the computer in case of activation of one of the limits of pressure, temperature, air, leakage or communication loss. Over-pressure will automatically halt a running process. Any activated alarm status needs to be acknowledged by the operator.

3.0 Components

3.1 Pumps, Valves & Fittings:

3.2. Sensors:

3.3. Computer

• Qty 1
• Type Pentium, 1.2 GB HD ,32 MB RAM, 3.5″ FD
• Monitor 17″ VGA
• Keyboard 101 KB
• Mouse / Track-ball Mouse

4.0 Material of Construction

• Benchtop system Wet section: 316 SS
• Pump head Ceramic, PVDF
• Seals Silicone
• Valve Manifolds Polypropylene
• Valve Diaphragms PTFE
• pH electrode Glass
• Conductivity electrode Platinum
• UV flow cell window Quartz
• Pressure Sensor 316-L SS
• System Tubing Silicone
• Mixer Polypropylene

5.0 System Control

A system user is given access to a matrix of operations based on a security password. Options that can be specified by a system administrator include:

• Process observations
• Starting and stopping automatic methods
• Manual and automatic control of the system
• Calibrating
• Programming system parameters
• Writing and editing methods

The software is designed to provide easy manual and automatic control of the fluid handling flow path. The main run screen is a Piping and Instrument Diagram (P&ID) of the system flow path. Manual control is actuated via a mouse. For example, to open an inlet valve you first select the valve using the mouse to position the cursor on a valve screen symbol; then, actuate the valve by pressing a mouse button. The color of the valve symbol on the screen changes from red to green to indicate that the valve is now on. Pumps are turned on or off in the same fashion. Pump flow rate is entered by highlighting the appropriate screen sector under the pump and entering the desired value using the keyboard. Flow rate can also be increased or decreased by increments using a second button on the mouse.

Also displayed on the main run screen are: the method name being run, method step number and total steps, and run time. On-screen buttons allow you to begin a method, hold and continue the run, and move to all other menus in the software, all while a method may be running in the background.

Each sensor is represented on the screen by a box which displays the real time output. Monitor trends are color coded and labeled.

Unattended operation is programmed using a spreadsheet like interface. A scrollable display allows enough programming capacity to program system cleaning and storage programs along with multiple step chromatography runs (a cleaning and storage program is supplied with the system). Steps may be advanced based on time, air sensor or the level of any internal or external monitor’s ascending or descending signal. The user may also program loops and sub-routines into any method.

Process run history files and alarm/event data are continuously recorder as they occur. A user can view the data history, and zoom in or out on any process data.

The time width of the display window is determined by default or user entered maximal and minimal data. The software provides all the tools needed to copy, delete, and add file data. The capacity of your data storage files is only limited by the size of the computer hard disk drive. All data is stored in a database file format to provide for integration into other software packages for further data analysis through MicrosoftÒ Access.

6.0 Documentation

The system is delivered with one user manual and the system calibration document. Comprehensive validation documentation is available on request at additional cost.

7.0 Installation and Service

Installation and system start-up training are included and will be scheduled by the representative at time of system delivery or at another mutually agreed time.

Service will be provided by an authorized Service Representative.