Shimadzu Prominence LC-20AB / LC-20AD / LC-30AD Used Liquid Chromatography Systems
| Brand | Shimadzu |
|---|---|
| Origin | Japan |
| Model(s) | LC-20AB, LC-20AD, LC-30AD |
| System Controller | CBM-20A or CBM-20A Lite |
| Pump Type | Parallel dual-plunger (LC-20AB/LC-20AD) or series dual-plunger (LC-20AT) |
| Max Pressure | 40 MPa |
| Flow Rate Range | 0.0001–10.0000 mL/min |
| Flow Accuracy | ±1% or ±2 µL/min (whichever greater) |
| Flow Precision | ≤0.06% RSD or ≤0.02 min SD |
| Gradient Modes | High-pressure (2–3 solvents) or low-pressure (4 solvents) |
| UV-Vis Detector SPD-20A/SPD-20AV | Wavelength Range 190–700 nm (SPD-20A) or 190–900 nm (SPD-20AV), Wavelength Accuracy <1 nm, Noise ±0.25×10⁻⁵ AU |
| PDA Detector SPD-M20A | 512-diode array, 190–800 nm, Noise ±0.3×10⁻⁵ AU |
| Autosampler SIL-20A/SIL-20AC | Sample Capacity up to 768 (384-well MTP ×2), Injection Volume 0.1–100 µL (standard), Cooling Range 4–40 °C (SIL-20AC) |
| Column Oven CTO-20A/CTO-20AC | Temp Control Range (RT +10) to 85 °C (CTO-20A) or (RT −10) to 85 °C (CTO-20AC), Stability ≤0.04 °C (typ.) |
| Data Handling | 24-hr buffer (500 ms sampling, LCsolution only) |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Operational Age | 5–10 years |
| Compliance | Designed for ASTM D4294, USP <621>, ISO 17025-aligned operation |
Overview
The Shimadzu Prominence LC-20AB, LC-20AD, and LC-30AD are high-performance, modular liquid chromatography systems originally engineered for routine and method-development applications in pharmaceutical QC, environmental analysis, food safety, and academic research laboratories. These used instruments retain the core architecture of Shimadzu’s second-generation Prominence platform—designed around robust isocratic and gradient elution via precision dual-plunger pump technology, thermally stabilized column compartments, and spectrophotometric detection with high wavelength fidelity and low baseline noise. Each system operates under Shimadzu’s proprietary LCsolution software environment, supporting full instrument control, data acquisition, peak integration, and report generation compliant with GLP documentation workflows. As pre-owned analytical platforms, these units have undergone comprehensive functional validation—including pressure integrity testing, flow rate calibration across the full dynamic range, wavelength verification per NIST-traceable standards, and autosampler carryover assessment—ensuring metrological continuity with new-system performance expectations.
Key Features
- Modular scalability: CBM-20A controller supports up to eight peripheral units (expandable to twelve), enabling flexible configurations with multiple pumps, detectors, autosamplers, fraction collectors, and auxiliary controllers.
- High-precision pumping: LC-20AB and LC-20AD employ parallel dual-plunger design (10 µL stroke) delivering sub-microliter flow accuracy and long-term stability; LC-20AT uses series dual-plunger configuration optimized for high-viscosity mobile phases.
- Gradient flexibility: Supports both high-pressure mixing (2–3 solvents) and low-pressure quaternary blending (4 solvents), facilitating method transfer from legacy HPLC systems and compatibility with complex multi-step separations.
- UV-Vis and PDA detection: SPD-20A/SPD-20AV detectors provide broad spectral coverage (190–900 nm), sub-nanometer wavelength reproducibility, and dual-wavelength quantitation; SPD-M20A offers full-spectrum acquisition at 1 nm resolution with real-time peak purity analysis.
- Cooling-enabled autosampling: SIL-20AC integrates thermoelectric cooling/heating (4–40 °C) with humidity control, preserving thermolabile analytes and minimizing evaporation during extended unattended runs.
- Column oven stability: CTO-20AC achieves ±0.04 °C temperature uniformity across its chamber volume, critical for retention time reproducibility in regulated environments where column thermal management directly impacts system suitability.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
These refurbished LC systems accommodate standard 3.0–4.6 mm ID analytical columns (up to 250 mm length), microbore and narrow-bore formats (with appropriate fittings), and UHPLC-compatible hardware when paired with 2 µm particle packings. They support aqueous, organic, and mixed-mode mobile phases—including TFA, HFBA, and ammonium acetate buffers—within pressure and pH limits defined by Shimadzu’s original specifications. All units are validated against ISO/IEC 17025:2017 general requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories. While not supplied with FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails out-of-box, LCsolution software permits configuration of electronic signatures, user access levels, and immutable data archiving when deployed on validated Windows OS environments meeting GxP infrastructure requirements.
Software & Data Management
Operation is fully integrated through Shimadzu LCsolution Ver. 5.8x or later—supporting method development, sequence definition, real-time monitoring, and post-run processing including peak tracking, library searching (for PDA data), and customizable reporting templates. Raw data files (.lcd) are stored in a structured hierarchical format compatible with third-party chemometric tools (e.g., Simca, MATLAB). The onboard 24-hour data buffer (at 500 ms sampling interval) ensures uninterrupted acquisition during transient network outages. For regulated labs, optional LCsolution Data Acquisition Module enables full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—including electronic signatures, role-based permissions, and automated audit trail generation—with periodic review logs exportable in PDF/A or CSV.
Applications
These systems are routinely deployed in quality control laboratories performing assay validation per ICH Q2(R2), residual solvent analysis (USP ), impurity profiling (ICH Q3B), and dissolution testing (USP ). Environmental labs apply them to EPA Method 8330B (PAHs), 8082 (PCBs), and ASTM D4294 (sulfur in petroleum). Food and beverage facilities use them for vitamin quantification (AOAC 992.16), pesticide residue screening (EN 15662), and mycotoxin analysis (EU Regulation 401/2006). Academic users leverage their modularity for teaching chromatographic fundamentals, method optimization studies, and hyphenated techniques such as LC–MS interface development.
FAQ
Are these instruments covered by factory warranty?
Yes—each unit carries a 12-month limited warranty covering parts and labor for defects in materials and workmanship, administered by our ISO 9001-certified service team.
Can I upgrade the system with newer Shimadzu modules?
All Prominence-era peripherals—including SIL-30AC autosamplers, SPD-M30A PDA detectors, and RF-20Axs fluorescence detectors—are mechanically and electrically compatible with CBM-20A controllers.
Is LCsolution software included and licensed?
Yes—fully licensed LCsolution Ver. 5.8x is provided with activation keys; no subscription fees apply.
What documentation accompanies each system?
You receive a Certificate of Functional Verification, calibration records traceable to NIST standards, preventive maintenance log, and complete OEM manuals (English language).
Do you offer installation and qualification support?
We provide IQ/OQ protocol templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and ISO/IEC 17025, plus remote or on-site commissioning assistance for an additional fee.
