Waters ACQUITY H-Class Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography System (Refurbished)

Overview

The Waters ACQUITY H-Class Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC®) System is a rigorously refurbished, factory-tested analytical platform engineered to deliver the resolution, sensitivity, and throughput advantages of UPLC technology while maintaining full backward compatibility with legacy HPLC methods. Unlike conventional HPLC systems, the H-Class employs high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) principles operating at pressures up to 15,000 psi, enabling the use of sub-2-µm particle-packed columns for superior peak capacity and reduced analysis time. Its core architecture integrates a quaternary solvent manager (QSM), a flow-through needle sample manager (SM-FTN), a column manager with active pre-heating, and a tunable UV/Vis detector (TUV), all synchronized via Waters’ proprietary system control firmware. This configuration supports both method development and routine QC/QA workflows under regulated environments—fully aligned with ICH, USP , and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with validated Empower software.

Key Features

• Quaternary Solvent Manager (QSM): Delivers precise, low-dispersion gradient formation across four independent solvent channels; optional solvent selection valve expands solvent options to nine, supporting complex multi-step gradients and pH/ion strength modulation.
• Flow-Through Needle Sample Manager (SM-FTN): Utilizes positive displacement injection with pressure-tolerant needle seal design, ensuring ≤0.25% RSD precision at volumes from 0.1 µL to 100 µL and >95% sample recovery—even for viscous or particulate-containing matrices.
• Column Manager with Active Pre-Heating: Maintains temperature stability from 4 °C to 90 °C across multiple zones; integrated low-volume pre-heater minimizes thermal band broadening and ensures consistent retention time reproducibility (<0.02 min RSD).
• SmartStart Technology: Automatically synchronizes gradient initiation with sample injection and column equilibration, reducing cycle time by up to 30% without compromising separation integrity.
• Auto Blend Plus Capability: Enables on-the-fly preparation of mobile phases using stock solutions, dynamically adjusting composition, pH, and ionic strength—ideal for method scouting and transfer between labs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ACQUITY H-Class accommodates a broad range of sample types—including small molecules, peptides, natural products, and polar metabolites—across reversed-phase, HILIC, and ion-pairing modes. All refurbished units undergo full functional verification per Waters’ OEM calibration protocols, including pump linearity (±1% deviation), detector noise (<±2.5 × 10⁻⁶ AU), and autosampler carryover (<0.005%). Systems are supplied with documented IQ/OQ reports and are compatible with GLP/GMP-compliant data handling when paired with Empower 3 Feature Release 5 or later. All hardware meets CE, UL, and FCC safety standards; no modifications to original firmware or mechanical design are performed during refurbishment.

Software & Data Management

The system operates natively with Waters Empower Chromatography Data Software (CDS), supporting audit trail, electronic signatures, and secure user access controls required under 21 CFR Part 11. Refurbished units include licensed CDS installation media and activation keys (valid for standard support period). Method conversion tools—including the ACQUITY UPLC Column Calculator and Reversed-Phase Column Selection Guide—are embedded in Empower and provide empirically derived scaling factors for flow rate, gradient time, and injection volume when transferring methods from HPLC to UPLC platforms. Raw data files (.raw) are fully interoperable with third-party processing tools (e.g., MassLynx, Chromeleon, OpenLab CDS).

Applications

This platform is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical QC laboratories for assay validation, dissolution testing, and stability-indicating assays per ICH Q2(R2); in biopharma settings for monoclonal antibody purity profiling and peptide mapping; and in academic and contract research labs for rapid screening of synthetic libraries and natural product fractionation. Its ability to retain HPLC method parameters while delivering UPLC-grade efficiency makes it especially valuable for labs transitioning from legacy Agilent 1200 or Shimadzu LC-20 series instruments—minimizing revalidation burden and maximizing ROI on existing method investments.

FAQ

Is this unit covered by Waters’ original warranty?
No—this is a certified refurbished system backed by a 6-month limited hardware warranty administered by SpectraLab Scientific, including labor and parts coverage for defects in materials or workmanship.
Can I run my existing HPLC methods directly on this system?
Yes—method translation is supported via built-in Empower tools and documented scaling protocols; no re-optimization is required for most reversed-phase applications.
What software version is installed?
Empower 3 FR5 (or latest generally available release at time of refurbishment) with current security patches and validated configuration.
Are column heaters and detector lamps included?
Yes—all critical consumables and accessories listed in the original configuration—including TUV lamp, column heater modules, and solvent degasser membranes—are verified functional and included.
Do you provide installation and qualification support?
Yes—on-site or remote IQ/OQ assistance is available upon request; documentation templates compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA expectations are provided.