Agilent 1200 Used Liquid Chromatograph System

Overview

The Agilent 1200 Used Liquid Chromatograph System is a high-performance, field-proven reversed-phase HPLC platform engineered for robustness, method compatibility, and operational flexibility in regulated and research laboratory environments. Based on Agilent Technologies’ widely adopted 1200 Series architecture, this pre-owned system retains full functional integrity and delivers chromatographic performance consistent with factory specifications — including sub-microliter gradient delay volume control, pressure stability up to 400 bar, and precise flow accuracy (±0.2% RSD). The system operates on the fundamental principles of high-pressure liquid chromatography: mobile phase delivery under controlled gradient or isocratic conditions, sample introduction via precision autosampling, analyte separation on packed analytical columns, and UV-absorbance detection at user-selectable wavelengths (190–600 nm). Its modular design preserves backward compatibility with legacy HPLC methods while supporting accelerated separations through optimized dwell volume configurations and low-dispersion fluidics.

Key Features

• Modular architecture supporting binary, ternary, and quaternary gradient operation — ideal for method development, solvent scouting, and multi-method workflows.
• Configurable gradient delay volume (standard: 600–800 µL; low-volume: ~120 µL) enabling seamless transition between conventional HPLC, narrow-bore, and LC/MS applications.
• Integrated vacuum degasser (G1322B or G1379B) eliminating helium sparging requirements and ensuring stable baseline performance across extended runs.
• Front-access maintenance design: pump seals, purge valves, and detector lamps are replaceable without tools or system disassembly.
• Self-diagnostic firmware with embedded event logging, Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF), and pre-programmed system suitability tests for rapid troubleshooting and preventive upkeep.
• High-throughput capability via Alternating Column Regeneration (ACR) configuration — dual-pump, dual-column, and 2-position/10-port valve setup enables uninterrupted analysis at up to 2000 injections per day.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Agilent 1200 system accommodates a broad range of sample matrices — including pharmaceutical actives, environmental extracts, food additives, and biological fluids — when paired with appropriate column chemistries (C18, phenyl-hexyl, HILIC, etc.) and mobile phase selections. It supports both standard 4.6 mm ID columns and narrow-bore formats (2.1 mm, 1.0 mm), as well as Agilent’s RRHT (Rapid Resolution High Throughput) column family (70+ chemistries available). All hardware components meet CE, UL, and CSA safety standards. When configured with Agilent ChemStation G2170BA and appropriate IT controls (e.g., network authentication, role-based access, audit trail activation), the system supports compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, ISO/IEC 17025, and ICH Q2(R2) validation requirements. Routine system suitability testing (SST), peak symmetry assessment, and resolution verification align with USP , EP 2.2.46, and ASTM D7819 practices.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are performed using Agilent ChemStation G2170BA — a validated, Windows-based chromatography data system (CDS) offering method building, sequence definition, real-time monitoring, integration, reporting, and raw data archiving. The software supports electronic signatures, user-level permissions, change control logs, and configurable audit trails — essential for GLP and GMP documentation integrity. Raw data files (.D format) are stored in a hierarchical folder structure compliant with ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available). Integration with LIMS platforms (e.g., Thermo Fisher SampleManager, LabVantage) is supported via OpenLab CDS or third-party OPC/ODBC interfaces. Data backup, retention policies, and disaster recovery protocols must be implemented per organizational SOPs.

Applications

This system is routinely deployed in quality control laboratories for assay quantitation (e.g., API purity, dissolution testing), stability-indicating methods, and impurity profiling per ICH guidelines. In research settings, it serves method development for chiral separations, peptide mapping, and small-molecule screening. Environmental labs utilize its gradient flexibility for PAHs, pesticides, and PFAS analysis per EPA Methods 8330B and 537.1. Food and beverage applications include vitamin quantification, preservative detection, and mycotoxin screening aligned with AOAC and EN 15662 standards. Its proven reliability over 6–8 years of design life — with documented 2–3 years of prior operational use — ensures predictable performance without compromising regulatory defensibility.

FAQ

Is this Agilent 1200 system compatible with current Agilent ChemStation versions?
Yes — the G2170BA software version is fully compatible with Windows 10/11 (32- and 64-bit) and supports firmware updates up to the final 1200 Series service release.
Can the system be upgraded to support mass spectrometry coupling?
Yes — the low-delay-volume configuration (120 µL) and standard ESI-compatible flow cell options enable direct interfacing with single-quadrupole or triple-quadrupole MS systems.
What documentation accompanies the used instrument?
Each unit ships with original calibration certificates (where applicable), maintenance history log, electrical safety test report, and a signed Statement of Conformity verifying functional testing against Agilent 1200 Series specification sheets.
Does the 6-month warranty cover parts, labor, and on-site service?
Yes — the warranty includes all replacement components, technician labor, and remote diagnostics; optional extended service contracts are available upon request.
How is method transfer from legacy HPLC systems validated?
Method transfer follows ICH Q5C and USP guidance: system suitability criteria (tailing factor, resolution, RSD), bracketing injections, and comparative chromatograms are documented to demonstrate equivalence across platforms.