Shimadzu LC-20AD XR Used HPLC Pump Module (LC-MS Front-End Configuration)

Overview

The Shimadzu LC-20AD XR is a high-precision, dual-plunger reciprocating solvent delivery pump engineered for demanding liquid chromatography applications—including front-end operation in LC-MS systems. As a core module of Shimadzu’s Nexera and Prominence UFLC platforms, the LC-20AD XR delivers exceptional flow stability, low pulsation, and wide dynamic range (0.001–10.000 mL/min), making it suitable for gradient elution, method transfer, and trace-level quantitative analysis. This unit is configured as a standalone LC-MS front-end pump module—fully refurbished, functionally validated, and supplied with a brand-new SIL-20AC or SIL-30AC autosampler (as specified), ensuring seamless integration into existing LC-MS workflows. All units undergo full electrical calibration, seal replacement, piston polishing, and leak testing per Shimadzu Factory Service Bulletin No. LC-PUMP-2022-04. The system operates under ambient temperature control (20 ± 2°C) and meets performance specifications defined in ASTM D7489-21 (Standard Practice for Calibration of HPLC Systems) and JP18 General Chapter 6.03 (Chromatographic Analysis).

Key Features

• High-accuracy dual-piston pump architecture with active backpressure compensation and real-time flow monitoring via built-in pressure sensor (0–40 MPa range)
• Low dwell volume design (< 700 µL) optimized for fast gradient formation and retention time reproducibility in LC-MS coupling
• Integrated pulse dampener and solvent selection valve supporting up to four mobile phases (A/B/C/D) with automatic degassing capability
• RS-232 and Ethernet (LAN) interfaces compliant with Shimadzu’s proprietary communication protocol for remote control and status reporting
• Full mechanical refurbishment: new ceramic pistons, sapphire seals, check valves, and primary gasket sets; all wear components replaced per Shimadzu OEM service schedule
• Factory-aligned baseline noise and drift verification using certified reference standards (e.g., caffeine in methanol/water, 1.0 µg/mL)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LC-20AD XR supports aqueous-organic mobile phases (e.g., water/acetonitrile, water/methanol, ammonium formate buffers) and is compatible with reversed-phase, HILIC, and ion-pairing columns (1.0–4.6 mm ID, up to 250 mm length). It complies with key regulatory requirements for analytical instrumentation in regulated environments: data integrity controls align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (audit trail enabled via LabSolutions software), and operational documentation satisfies ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.4.3 (equipment verification and maintenance records). Units are supplied with full calibration certificates traceable to NMIJ (National Metrology Institute of Japan) standards, including flow rate verification at 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 mL/min, and pressure accuracy validation at 5, 15, and 30 MPa.

Software & Data Management

The LC-20AD XR operates natively with Shimadzu LabSolutions LCMS v5.9x or later, enabling synchronized pump control, method storage, sequence management, and electronic logbook generation. All firmware versions are updated to the latest stable release (v3.10.01 or higher) prior to shipment. Audit trails capture operator ID, timestamp, parameter changes, and error events—retained for ≥18 months per internal SOP-INST-LC-007. Raw data files (.lcd, .lcf) are stored in vendor-neutral formats compatible with third-party CDS platforms (e.g., OpenLab CDS, Chromeleon) via Shimadzu’s ASCII export utility. Remote diagnostics and firmware updates are supported through secure SSH tunneling with authenticated access.

Applications

This refurbished LC-20AD XR module is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical QC/QA labs for assay validation (ICH Q2(R2)), impurity profiling (ICH Q3B), and dissolution testing (USP ). In academic and clinical research settings, it serves as a robust front-end for targeted metabolomics (e.g., plasma acylcarnitine profiling), therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and biomarker quantification in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or dried blood spots (DBS). Its low-flow precision enables nano-LC scale-up studies and method development for 2.1 mm ID columns used in high-throughput screening. The pump’s gradient fidelity supports method transfer between UHPLC and conventional HPLC platforms per USP .

FAQ

Is this unit eligible for IQ/OQ/PQ documentation support?
Yes—comprehensive installation qualification (IQ) and operational qualification (OQ) protocols are provided upon request, aligned with ASTM E2500-13 and Annex 15 of the EU GMP Guidelines.
What maintenance intervals are recommended post-installation?
Piston seal replacement every 6,000 operating hours or 24 months (whichever occurs first); annual recalibration and pressure sensor verification required for GLP compliance.
Can the LC-20AD XR be integrated with non-Shimadzu mass spectrometers?
Yes—via analog voltage output (0–10 V) for flow synchronization and TTL-triggered start/stop signals; digital integration requires optional Shimadzu MS Interface Kit (P/N: 228-75225-91).
Does the 1-year warranty cover labor and parts globally?
Warranty covers both labor and genuine Shimadzu parts for on-site service within mainland China; international customers receive depot repair coverage with prepaid shipping and 5-business-day turnaround.
Are original factory test reports included with shipment?
Yes—each unit ships with a signed Certificate of Conformance, full performance verification report (including flow accuracy, pressure linearity, and gradient mixing error), and firmware revision history log.