Shimadzu LC-2010CHT Used High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Overview

The Shimadzu LC-2010CHT is a used but fully functional, high-integrity high-performance liquid chromatograph engineered for robust routine analysis and method transfer in regulated and research environments. Designed around a unified low-pressure gradient architecture, the system integrates a dual-plunger parallel pump, vacuum membrane degasser, low-pressure quaternary gradient unit, mixer, refrigerated autosampler, Peltier-heated/cooled column oven, and dual-wavelength UV-Vis detector into a single, compact, and standardized fluidic platform. Its operational principle relies on precise solvent delivery under controlled pressure and temperature to achieve reproducible separation of analytes on reversed-phase or other HPLC columns, followed by real-time absorbance detection across a broad spectral range (190–600 nm). The LC-2010CHT was originally developed to support rapid method development, validation, and quality control workflows—particularly where sample stability, retention time reproducibility, and baseline noise performance are critical.

Key Features

• Dual-plunger series pump with active (10 µL) and auxiliary (5 µL) pistons, delivering flow accuracy of ±1% at 1 mL/min (3–10 MPa, water, 20 °C) and precision of ≤0.075% RSD over 0.05–2 mL/min (methanol, 20 °C)
• Low-pressure quaternary gradient unit supporting up to four solvents, with mixing ratio resolution of 0.1% and gradient accuracy of ±0.5% (acetone/water, binary, 0.1–2 mL/min, 1–20 MPa)
• Integrated 5-channel membrane degasser: four channels for mobile phase lines and one dedicated channel for autosampler wash solution, each with 4 mL (mobile phase) or 2 mL (wash) capacity
• Refrigerated autosampler with direct-cooling sample cooler (4–40 °C setting range; achieves 4 °C under ambient ≤30 °C and humidity ≤70%), enabling thermally labile compound handling
• Peltier-based column oven with ±0.1 °C temperature stability, operating from (ambient + 15) °C to 60 °C, accommodating two 30 cm columns with pre-heating of mobile phase
• Dual-wavelength UV-Vis detector featuring deuterium lamp source, 8 nm bandwidth, wavelength accuracy ±1 nm, and photometric noise ≤±0.25 × 10⁻⁵ AU (250 nm, empty cell, 1 s time constant)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LC-2010CHT accommodates standard 1 mL, 1.5 mL, and 4.0 mL vials (up to 100 positions for 4.0 mL format), supporting both aqueous and organic mobile phases compatible with C18, phenyl-hexyl, HILIC, and ion-pairing chemistries. Its hardware architecture meets foundational requirements for GLP-compliant laboratories, including stable retention time control (<0.02 min SD), injection repeatability (RSD < 0.3% at 10 µL), and minimal carryover (<0.01% under naphthalene test conditions). While the instrument itself does not include built-in 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail functionality, its native CLASS-VP software (v7.x or later) supports electronic signatures, user access levels, and raw data integrity when deployed on validated Windows workstations—enabling alignment with ISO/IEC 17025, USP , and ASTM D7260 workflows.

Software & Data Management

The system operates under Shimadzu’s CLASS-VP chromatography data system (CDS), a Windows-based platform widely adopted in pharmaceutical QC and academic labs for method development, sequence execution, peak integration, and report generation. CLASS-VP provides full control of all LC modules—including gradient programming, column oven setpoints, detector wavelength switching, and autosampler cooling parameters—via intuitive graphical interfaces. Raw data files (.chm) are stored in a structured, non-proprietary binary format with embedded metadata (instrument configuration, acquisition time, operator ID). When configured with appropriate server infrastructure and procedural controls, CLASS-VP supports retrospective data review, electronic signature logging, and audit trail export—facilitating compliance with FDA expectations for data integrity in GMP environments.

Applications

The LC-2010CHT is routinely deployed for small-molecule quantification in pharmaceutical stability studies, impurity profiling per ICH Q2(R2), residual solvent analysis (USP ), natural product fingerprinting, environmental contaminant screening (e.g., PAHs, pesticides), and food safety testing (vitamins, preservatives, mycotoxins). Its refrigerated autosampler and precise temperature-controlled column compartment make it especially suitable for analyses involving thermally sensitive compounds such as peptides, oligonucleotides, or labile metabolites. The dual-wavelength detection capability allows simultaneous monitoring of primary and secondary analytes—ideal for forced degradation studies or multi-component assays without re-injection.

FAQ

Is this LC-2010CHT unit certified for GMP use?
No formal GMP certification is provided with the used unit; however, the system architecture and CLASS-VP software are compatible with IQ/OQ/PQ validation protocols when executed by qualified personnel.
What is included in the base configuration?
The core system includes pump unit, degasser, low-pressure gradient unit, mixer, UV-Vis detector, refrigerated autosampler, column oven, and system controller. Chromatographic columns and PC are optional.
Can the instrument be upgraded to support modern networked data management?
Yes—CLASS-VP supports LAN connectivity and can interface with LIMS via CSV or XML export; however, native cloud integration or API access is not available.
What maintenance history is available for this used unit?
Each unit undergoes full functional verification including pressure test, leak check, flow accuracy calibration, wavelength verification, and autosampler precision assessment prior to shipment.
Is technical support available post-purchase?
A 6-month hardware warranty is included, covering parts and labor for defects in materials or workmanship; extended service contracts and remote troubleshooting assistance are available upon request.