PerkinElmer Flexar FX-20 UHPLC System (Refurbished)

Overview

The PerkinElmer Flexar FX-20 UHPLC System is a fully refurbished, rigorously tested ultra-high performance liquid chromatography platform engineered for high-resolution, high-throughput separations under pressures up to 18,000 psi. Built on PerkinElmer’s proven Flexar architecture, this system implements dual-piston reciprocating pump technology with active plunger wash capability—ensuring long-term reliability even with aggressive mobile phases containing buffers or ion-pair reagents. Its core design adheres to fundamental principles of modern UHPLC: minimized extra-column volume, low dispersion flow paths, and precise dwell volume control (<100 µL). The FX-20 delivers chromatographic efficiency gains of up to 10× over conventional HPLC systems through reduced peak broadening, improved mass sensitivity, and sub-2-µm particle column compatibility. As a pre-owned instrument certified by SpectraLab Scientific, it undergoes full functional validation—including pressure integrity testing, gradient accuracy verification, injection precision assessment, and detector linearity calibration—prior to shipment.

Key Features

• Dual binary high-pressure pump delivering stable flow from 0.001 to 5.0 mL/min with <0.07% RSD flow precision and <0.2% gradient accuracy across 0–100% B.
• FX-series autosampler with 1 µL minimum injection volume, 8-second sample load time, and three injection modes: full-loop, partial-loop, and µL-pickup—enabling zero sample waste and optimal recovery for trace analytes.
• Thermostatted column oven with Peltier-based heating/cooling (5–90 °C, ±0.2 °C stability), accommodating columns up to 30 cm in length and supporting retention time reproducibility <0.05 min RSD over 24 h.
• FX-UV/Vis detector featuring dual-beam optics (deuterium + tungsten lamps), 10-mm standard flow cell (optional micro-flow cells available), and real-time pressure monitoring via Chromera CDS interface.
• PDA Plus photodiode array detector with 200 Hz acquisition rate, wavelength accuracy ±0.5 nm, and modular flow cell design optimized for UHPLC peak sharpness and signal-to-noise ratio.
• Integrated solvent manager with 3- or 5-channel degassing, quick-connect fittings, removable solvent tray, and leak detection circuitry for operational safety and uptime assurance.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Flexar FX-20 supports a broad range of analytical applications across pharmaceutical QC, environmental residue analysis, food safety testing, and academic research. It is compatible with reversed-phase, HILIC, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion columns packed with sub-2-µm particles (e.g., C18, BEH, CORTECS, Acquity UPLC). All refurbished units are validated per ISO/IEC 17025-aligned protocols and include documented evidence of system suitability testing (SST) using USP tailing factor, plate count, and resolution criteria. When configured with TotalChrom CDS, the system meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures—including role-based user authentication, immutable audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity safeguards. Routine operation complies with ASTM E2689, ICH Q2(R2), and relevant sections of EU GMP Annex 11.

Software & Data Management

Two validated chromatography data systems (CDS) are available: Chromera CDS and TotalChrom CDS. Chromera provides intuitive method development tools, real-time chromatogram overlay, automated integration parameter optimization, and customizable reporting templates—ideal for routine labs requiring rapid deployment and ease of use. TotalChrom offers enterprise-level scalability, multi-instrument network support, full 21 CFR Part 11 compliance modules, and seamless integration with PerkinElmer GC platforms. Both packages support raw data export in open formats (e.g., .cdf, .dx), metadata embedding per ASTM E1946, and secure backup via scheduled archive to NAS or cloud storage endpoints. All software licenses are renewed and activated prior to delivery; no legacy dongles or unsupported versions are included.

Applications

The Flexar FX-20 is routinely deployed in regulated environments for assay quantitation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), impurity profiling per ICH Q3B, residual solvent analysis (ICH Q3C), and peptide mapping in biologics characterization. Its high-pressure capability enables fast, high-resolution separations of complex mixtures such as oligonucleotides, glycopeptides, and natural product extracts. In environmental labs, it supports EPA Method 8330B (PAHs), 8082 (PCBs), and 541 (pesticides) with sub-ng/mL detection limits when coupled to appropriate detectors. Academic users leverage its flexibility for method scouting—switching between UV, PDA, and optional MS interfaces—and for teaching advanced LC theory including van Deemter optimization and dwell volume effects on gradient delay.

FAQ

Is this unit covered by original PerkinElmer factory warranty?
No. This is a professionally refurbished instrument backed by a 6-month limited hardware warranty administered by SpectraLab Scientific.
What documentation accompanies the system?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Reconditioning, full system validation report (including SST results), software license certificates, and electronic copies of user manuals and safety guides.
Can the system be configured for GMP/GLP compliance?
Yes—when equipped with TotalChrom CDS and properly installed on a validated network environment, the system supports full audit trail generation, electronic signatures, and change control per 21 CFR Part 11 Annex A guidelines.
Are spare parts and consumables available?
SpectraLab maintains an inventory of OEM-compatible pump seals, injector rotors, detector lamps, and column oven components; lead time for critical spares is typically ≤5 business days.
Does the refurbishment include replacement of all fluidic path components?
Yes—all high-pressure tubing, check valves, frits, and seal assemblies are replaced with new PerkinElmer OEM parts during refurbishment.