Varian ProStar HPLC System (310 UV/Vis Detector & 230 Solvent Delivery Module)

Overview

The Varian ProStar HPLC System is a high-performance, modular liquid chromatography platform originally engineered by Varian, Inc. (now part of Agilent Technologies) for robust routine analysis in regulated and research laboratory environments. This refurbished system integrates the ProStar 230 Solvent Delivery Module — a dual-piston, low-pulsation gradient pump capable of precise flow control from 0.001 to 10.0 mL/min — with the ProStar 310 UV/Vis Detector, featuring a high-stability deuterium/tungsten lamp source, variable pathlength flow cell (10 mm standard), and real-time spectral acquisition across 190–700 nm. The system operates under Varian’s Star Chromatography Workstation software, enabling method development, instrument control, data acquisition, and report generation in compliance with GLP and basic GMP documentation requirements.

Key Features

• Modular architecture supporting scalable configurations: pump, detector, autosampler (not included in this listing), and column oven integration.
• ProStar 230 SDM delivers <0.1% RSD flow precision at 1.0 mL/min and maintains gradient accuracy ≤ ±0.5% across 0–100% B over 5–60 min gradients.
• ProStar 310 UV/Vis Detector offers baseline noise < ±0.5 × 10⁻⁵ AU at 254 nm (1 sec response), wavelength accuracy ±1 nm, and photometric linearity over 2.5 AU.
• Integrated control box (P/N 0190957800, Rev. A) provides hardware synchronization, analog/digital I/O, and relay outputs for external device triggering.
• All modules undergo full functional validation per SpectraLab Scientific’s refurbishment protocol, including leak testing, pressure calibration, lamp energy verification, and baseline stability assessment.
• System firmware and Star software version are verified compatible and documented; no unsupported legacy OS dependencies remain.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ProStar HPLC system is validated for use with reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatographic methods. It supports standard 4.6 mm ID analytical columns (up to 300 mm length) and accommodates common mobile phases including aqueous buffers, acetonitrile, methanol, and THF. While not pre-certified for 21 CFR Part 11, the Star Workstation supports audit trail logging, user access levels, and electronic signature configuration when deployed on Windows-based systems meeting IT infrastructure controls. The system meets essential performance criteria outlined in USP , ASTM D5503 (for hydrocarbon analysis), and ISO 17025-compliant method validation frameworks when operated within specified environmental and maintenance conditions.

Software & Data Management

Control and data handling are managed through Varian Star Chromatography Workstation v6.x or later — a Windows-native application supporting method templates, peak integration algorithms (e.g., valley-to-valley, tangent skim), custom reporting, and export to CSV, PDF, and AIA (.cdf) formats. Raw data files are stored in proprietary .raw format with embedded metadata (date/time, operator ID, method name, instrument parameters). SpectraLab Scientific provides a licensed copy of Star software with each system, along with installation media and configuration backup. Post-installation support includes remote assistance for software setup, driver verification, and basic method migration guidance.

Applications

This ProStar HPLC system is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical QC labs for assay and impurity profiling per ICH Q2(R2); in environmental labs for EPA Method 8081B (PCBs) and 8310 (PAHs); in food & beverage testing for preservative quantitation (e.g., benzoic acid, sorbic acid); and in academic research for natural product isolation monitoring and polymer molecular weight distribution analysis. Its proven reliability in multi-year operational service makes it especially suitable for laboratories requiring cost-effective, auditable chromatographic capability without compromising on method transfer fidelity or regulatory traceability.

FAQ

Is this system fully tested and certified prior to shipment?
Yes — each module undergoes functional verification, pressure integrity testing, optical alignment checks, and system-level gradient and detection performance validation. A Certificate of Inspection is provided with shipment.
Does the system include an autosampler or column oven?
No — this listing includes only the ProStar 230 SDM, ProStar 310 UV/Vis detector, and control box. Autosamplers (e.g., ProStar 400/410) and column ovens (e.g., ProStar 500) are available separately upon request.
What operating system is required for Star Workstation compatibility?
Star v6.4+ supports Windows 7 SP1, Windows 10 (64-bit), and Windows Server 2016/2019. Legacy XP support is discontinued and not recommended.
Can this system be integrated into a LIMS environment?
Yes — via ASCII file export, ODBC connectivity (with optional Star LIMS Interface Module), or third-party middleware using Star’s open API specifications.
What documentation accompanies the system?
Users receive original Varian operation manuals (digital), SpectraLab’s refurbishment report, calibration summary, software license certificate, and warranty terms.