Waters ACQUITY UPLC Operator's, Overview And Maintenance Manual

ACQUITY UPLC

Column Compartments Operator’s Overview

and Maintenance Information

Revision C

ii

Copyright notice

DOCUMENT OR PARTS THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY

FORM WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and

should not be construed as a commitment by Waters Corporation. Waters

Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this

document. This document is believed to be complete and accurate at the time

of publication. In no event shall Waters Corporation be liable for incidental or

consequential damages in connection with, or arising from, its use.

Considerations specific to the column compartments

Warning: Do not use the column heater with solvents that have auto

ignition temperatures below 150 C.

Warning: When dealing with hazardous solvents, run the system in a

hooded environment that provides a sufficient air exchange rate.

Warning: To prevent injury, always observe Good Laboratory Practices

when you handle solvents, change tubing, or operate the column heater.

Consult the Material Safety Data Sheets and the Solvent

Considerations section of the ACQUITY UPLC System Guide regarding

the solvents you use.

Table of Contents iii

Copyright notice ................................................................................................... ii

Considerations specific to the column compartments ................................. ii

Overview ................................................................................................................ 1

Column compartment types ................................................................................ 1

Preparing the column compartments ........................................................... 14

Installation recommendations for fittings........................................................ 14

Installing the standard column heater............................................................. 17

Installing the 30-cm column heater.................................................................. 39

Installing the column manager......................................................................... 45

Installing one CM-Aux module, in a single-stack configuration..................... 48

Installing two CM-Aux modules in a multiple-stack configuration................ 54

Installing the ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler..................................... 82

Installing the optional column in-line filter ..................................................... 87

Installing the column......................................................................................... 89

Using the column compartments ................................................................... 98

Control panels .................................................................................................... 98

Resolving column compartment leak sensor errors ......................................... 99

Maintaining the column compartments ..................................................... 110

Contacting Waters technical service............................................................... 110

Maintenance schedule ..................................................................................... 112

Maintenance considerations............................................................................ 113

Configuring maintenance warnings ............................................................... 113

Replacing the column heater’s leak sensor .................................................... 114

Replacing the 30-cm column heater’s leak sensor ......................................... 119

Replacing the column manager’s leak sensor................................................. 119

Replacing the column manager switching-valve cartridge............................ 122

Replacing the column ...................................................................................... 125

Replacing the active preheater assembly ....................................................... 127

Replacing the column stabilizer assembly (CH-A only)................................. 133

Replacing the frit in the in-line filter unit...................................................... 136

Table of Contents

iv Table of Contents

Replacing the column heater/cooler fuse (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC).... 139

Cleaning the instrument’s exterior (all models) ............................................ 140

Overview 1

Overview

Column temperature variations can shift peak retention times and alter peak

shapes, increasing the difficulty of achieving precise results. The ACQUITY

UPLC® column compartments help to ensure precise, reproducible

separations by controlling the column temperature.

Note: If you are using an ACQUITY UPLC system with two dimensional

applications, refer to the ACQUITY UPLC Systems with 2D Technology

Capabilities Guide.

Column compartment types

The following column compartments are available for use with ACQUITY

UPLC systems:

• Column heater (CH-A)

• 30-cm column heater (CH-30A)

• Column manager (CM-A)

• Auxiliary column manager (CM-Aux)

• 30-cm column heater/cooler (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm CHC)

Each of these column compartments is also available in a bio-compatible

version.

Column heater (CH-A)

A standard component of the basic ACQUITY UPLC system, the column

heater heats the column compartment to any temperature, from 20ºC to

90 ºC, that is at least 5 ºC above the ambient temperature. A standard, active

preheater heats the incoming solvent before it enters the column.

Additionally, you can install a supplementary column stabilizer.

The column heater can accommodate UPLC® columns with dimensions of as

much as 4.6 mm, internal diameter (ID), and 150-mm long.

To reduce dispersion associated with dead volume, and minimize the length of

tubing between system instruments, the column compartment is directly

above the sample manager and connected to the optical detector (on top of the

column heater). For MS applications, you can mount the column

compartment, on a bracket to the right-hand side of the system stack,

reducing the distance to the mass spectrometer’s inlet probe.

2

A receptacle on the column heater’s right-hand side receives the column's

eCord™ chip. The eCord column chip stores column manufacturing and usage

data, which you can access from the ACQUITY UPLC Console.

The column heater does not have its own power supply; it draws power from

the sample manager. Thus the column heater is automatically powered-on

when you power on the sample manager.

Restriction: The ACQUITY column heater (CH-A) cannot be used in

conjunction with the optional 30-cm column heater (CH-30A).

Active preheater

The standard, active preheater uses an electric heating element to directly

heat the column inlet tubing. The rapid heating, low volume design reduces

gradient delay and extra-column bandspreading. It ensures that high flow

rate separations occur at the column temperature, not at the temperature of

the incoming solvent. By controlling the temperature of the mobile phase at

the point of use—the column inlet—temperature differences introduced by

variations in the system configuration are eliminated.

Active preheater:

If you use the active preheater when running an HPLC or UPLC method

originally developed for use with a column stabilizer, adjusting the column

temperature can be necessary.

Overview 3

The following diagram shows the location of the column heater in the

ACQUITY UPLC system.

TP03240

Bottle tray

Detector

Column heater (CH-A)

Sample manager - flow through needle /

Sample manager - fixed loop

Solvent manager

4

Column heater, major components:

The following diagram shows the column heater’s major components.

Column heater components:

Component Description

Column

compartment

Contains the column, column heater, in-line filter, and

active preheater or column stabilizer assembly. The

column compartment insulates the column from changes

in ambient temperature. For MS applications, the

assembly can be mounted on an external bracket on the

right-hand side of the chassis, reducing the distance to

the inlet probe of a mass spectrometer.

In-line filter Protects the analytical column against contamination by

trapping impurities before they reach the column.

Active preheater

assembly

Heats the incoming solvent to the specified column

temperature before the solvent enters the column.

Active preheater

key

In the 30-cm column heater, installed in the control port

not occupied by the active preheater.

Active preheater

retainer

Secures the active preheater in the column

compartment.

eCord receptacle Receives the column eCord™ chip, which stores column

manufacturing and usage data.

Column

compartment tray

Location of

column

Fitting Active preheater

retainer

Active preheater

assembly

Overview 5

30-cm Column heater (CH-30A)

The optional 30-cm column heater heats the column compartment to any

temperature, from 20ºC to 90 ºC, that is at least 5 ºC above ambient. The

30-cm column heater mounts on the side of the system stack.

An active preheater heats the incoming solvent before it enters the column.

The active preheater can be located at the top or bottom of the column

compartment, to accommodate UPLC or HPLC columns. You can disable the

active preheater when solvent pre-heating is unnecessary.

Column stabilizer

(optional)

Passively heats the incoming solvent before the solvent

enters the column.

Drip tray Captures any leakage from the column or column

connections and routes it into the drip management

system.

Column heater components: (Continued)

Component Description

6

The column heater can accommodate UPLC® columns of 4.6 mm, or less, ID

and 150 mm, or less, length and HPLC columns of 4.6 mm, or less, ID and

300 mm, or less, length. For columns that exceed 4.6 mm ID, use the

ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm column heater/cooler with the appropriate

compatibility kit.

A receptacle atop the column heater receives the column’s eCord™ chip. The

chip stores column manufacturing and usage data, which you can access from

the ACQUITY UPLC Console.

The column heater does not have its own power supply; it draws power from

the sample manager. Thus the column heater is automatically powered-on

when you power on the sample manager. Do not use the 30-cm column heater

(CH-30A) in conjunction with the standard ACQUITY column heater (CH-A).

Overview 7

30-cm column heater components:

Column manager (CM-A) and auxiliary column manager (CM-Aux)

The column manager can regulate the temperature of as many as four

columns between 4 and 90 °C. The temperature of each column trough can be

independently set in 0.1 °C increments. The column manager can be used for

column switching applications as well as two dimensional applications. For

two dimensional applications, see the ACQUITY UPLC Systems with 2D

Technology Capabilities Guide.

Column compartment tray

Location of active preheater

or active preheater key

Location of active preheater

or active preheater key

Location of column

Drip tray with leak

sensor

8

Note: The minimum achievable column compartment temperature set point

cannot be greater than 25 °C below ambient temperature.

A supplementary pre-heating device (active preheater) can also be installed,

to heat the incoming solvent before it enters the column.

The column manager also offers a bypass channel and automated,

programmable switching between columns for methods development.

ACQUITY UPLC™ columns are equipped with eCord Information

Management Technology, which captures the history of each column to assist

in tracking column usage. Reusable high-pressure fittings ease replacement of

the columns, when needed.

The column manager can accommodate columns with inside diameters of up

to 4.6 mm. It can accommodate two 100- or 150-mm columns or four 50-mm

columns.

Receptacles on the column manager’s front panel receive the column eCord™

chips. The eCord column chip stores column manufacturing and usage data,

which you can access from the ACQUITY UPLC Console.

Column manager major components

The following diagram shows the column manager’s major components.

Column

compartment tray

eCord receptacles

Active preheater

retainer Location of active

preheater assembly

Drip tray with leak

sensor

Column switching-valves

Overview 9

Auxiliary column manager

In addition to the column manager, the system can include one or two

auxiliary column manager modules. The column manager acts as a master to

the optional auxiliary column manager modules. Although the auxiliary

column manager modules have their own power supply, the column manager

controls their power state.

Auxiliary column manager modules are not fitted with switching valves. All

plumbing connections are made to the switching valves in the column

manager.

The auxiliary column manager can accommodate two 100- or 150-mm columns

with inside diameters of up to 4.6 mm.

Each auxiliary column manager module consists of two independently heated

and cooled column troughs. Like the column manager, the temperature range

of the auxiliary column manager module is 4 to 90 °C. Each trough can

accommodate one column of 50 to 150-mm, and an active preheater.

Column manager and auxiliary column manager components:

Component Description

Column

compartment

Contains the column, column heater, in-line filter, and

active preheater assemblies. The column compartment

insulates the column from changes in ambient

temperature.

In-line filter Protects the analytical column against contamination by

trapping impurities before they reach the column.

Active preheater

assembly

Heats the incoming solvent to the specified column

temperature prior to entry to the column.

Active preheater

retainer

Secures the active preheater in the column

compartment.

Column

switching-valves

(CM-A only)

The inlet and outlet column switching-valves allow for

programmable switching access to any column installed

in the column manager as well as to column bypass

mode and to waste.

Drip tray Captures any leakage from the column or column

connections and routes it into the drip management

system.

10

Auxiliary column manager:

Column manager configurations

You can configure the column manager for use with two columns (in any

combination of 50-, 100-, or 150-mm columns), or with as many as four, 50-mm

columns. To accommodate additional 100- or 150-mm columns, the ACQUITY

UPLC system can include one or two auxiliary column manager (CM-Aux)

modules (a maximum of six columns per system).

These configurations are available for an ACQUITY UPLC system including a

CM-Aux:

• Column manager configured for two columns and, in addition, one

auxiliary column manager (as many as four, 100- or 150-mm columns,

total)

• Column manager configured for two columns and, in addition, two

auxiliary column managers as many (as six, 100- or 150-mm columns,

total)

To reduce dead volume, and ensure optimal performance, you must plumb all

column manager configurations using preconfigured tubing lengths.

Therefore, the modules must occupy specific positions in the system stack.

One auxiliary column manager can rest atop the column manager, and the

column manager can rest atop a second auxiliary column manager.

Note: See the appropriate system guide for supported system configurations.

Overview 11

Examples of column manager configurations:

Single stack

Dual stack

Triple stack

TUV

Sample

Solvent

CM-Aux

CM-A

TUV

SQD

CM-A

CM-Aux

PDA

CM-Aux

CM-A

PDA

CM-Aux

CM-A

ELS

TUV

SQD

CM-A

ELS

CM-Aux

CM-A

PDA

ELS

PDA

CM-Aux

CM-A

SQD

ELS

CM-Aux

PDA

CM-Aux

CM-A

ELS

SQD

PDA

CM-Aux

CM-A

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Solvent

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

Sample

Manager

12

For each column in a two- or four-column configuration, you can use an active

preheater. In the two-column configuration, the column manager supports

guard columns or filters. When the column manager is configured for four

50-mm columns, you cannot use guard columns or filters (see page 10).

ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm column heater/cooler (ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm

CHC)

The ACQUITY 30-cm column heater/cooler is a combination

forced-air-convection heater and cooler with a temperature range of 20 to

65 °C.

30-cm column heater/cooler:

The ACQUITY UPLC 30-cm column heater/cooler offers these features for

ease of use:

• Adjustable column clips that slide, for easy column mounting.

• Extended column compartment that allows for the use of two 300-mm

columns, with column guards; four 150-mm columns, without column

guards; or six 50-mm columns, without column guards.

• Grommet in the column mounting plate, for attaching a calibrated probe

(thermistor) for validation.

Overview 13

• Single-piece column compartment door and hinge assembly that allows

tubing to enter or exit the column compartment from all four sides.

• Columns with dimensions of up to 7.8 mm diameter.

When you specify the temperature via the operating software, thermoelectric

devices achieve the desired column temperature. The column heater/cooler’s

internal power supply provides the additional power required to operate the

thermoelectric heater/cooler engine circuit.

Door gasket

Compartment

door

Tubing guide

Drip tray

Compartment door clasp

Column clip rails

Temperature port

Column clip

Convection grid

14

Preparing the column compartments

Installation recommendations for fittings

The system uses gold-plated compression screws and two-piece ferrules. See

the diagram below for assembly orientation.

Recommendations:

• To prevent bandspreading, ensure the tubing bottoms in its fitting hole

before tightening the compression screw.

• For easier accessibility, use long compression screws to attach tubes to

the injector and vent valve.

• Whenever you loosen fittings during maintenance, examine them for

cracks, stripped threads, and deformations.

• Do not reuse stainless steel fittings more than six times.

• When installing or removing a column or optional in-line filter, always

hold the active preheater’s reusable compression fitting in place and

rotate the column or in-line filter onto the fitting.

Warning: To avoid the harmful effects of personal contact with

fittings contaminated with biologically hazardous or toxic

materials, always wear clean, chemical-resistant, powder-free

gloves when reinstalling the fittings.

TubingCompression screw

Ferrule with

locking ring

Preparing the column compartments 15

When tightening system fittings, consult the following table.

Installation recommendations for ACQUITY UPLC column compartment

fittings:

Fitting Recommended tightening

First use

Reusable finger-tight Finger-tight, plus 1/6-turn

Reinstalled

Reusable finger-tight Finger-tight, plus up to

1/6-turn; if leaking, tighten

another 1/8-turn

First use

Stainless steel (gold-plated) fitting with

long flats and 2-piece stainless steel

ferrule

Finger-tight, plus 3/4-turn

using wrench

TP02728

1/6-turn

Collet

removal tool

1/6-turn

Additional 1/8-turn

TP03378

Long flats 2-piece ferrule

3/4-turn

16

Reinstalled

Stainless steel (gold-plated) fitting with

long flats and 2-piece stainless steel

ferrule

Finger-tight, plus up to

1/6-turn using wrench

First use or reinstalled

Dual-threaded finger-tight fitting with

stainless steel cap nut

1. Loosen the stainless steel

cap nut from the gold

fitting.

2. Finger tighten the gold

fitting, with the ferrule,

into the column.

Requirement: If you are

reinstalling the fitting,

replace the PEEKTM

ferrule.

3. Rotate the column, and

tighten the column onto

the gold fitting.

4. If you are installing the

column in a system with

pressures exceeding

103,421 kPa (1034 bar,

15,000 psi), tighten the

column an additional

1/2-turn.

5. Tighten the stainless steel

cap nut onto the gold

fitting.

Installation recommendations for ACQUITY UPLC column compartment

fittings: (Continued)

Fitting Recommended tightening

TP02713

Long flats 2-piece ferrule

1/6-turn

TP03360A

Gold fitting

Ferrule

Stainless

steel cap

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Waters ACQUITY UPLC Operator's, Overview And Maintenance Manual

Waters ACQUITY UPLC Operator's, Overview And Maintenance Manual

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