PerkinElmer Flexar Used Liquid Chromatograph

Overview

The PerkinElmer Flexar Liquid Chromatograph is a high-performance, modular HPLC system engineered for robust daily operation in regulated and research laboratories. Built on PerkinElmer’s third-generation LC architecture, the Flexar platform delivers exceptional pressure stability, flow precision, and long-term reproducibility—critical for method transfer, routine QC, and method development workflows. Its core hydraulic design employs dual-piston reciprocating pumps with active solvent compressibility compensation, enabling consistent delivery across the full 1.001–10.000 mL/min range at pressures up to 40 MPa (5800 psi). The system supports both conventional HPLC and fast-LC applications, with optional upgrade paths to UHPLC performance via the Flexar FX-20 binary pump (capable of >10,000 psi operation) and FX-series detectors. All major modules—including pumps, autosamplers, column ovens, and UV/Vis or PDA detectors—are fully interoperable and controlled through a unified software environment compliant with GLP/GMP data integrity requirements.

Key Features

• Modular architecture allowing field-upgradable configurations—from basic dual-pump HPLC to four-solvent quaternary gradient systems
• Flexar FX-20 UHPLC pump option delivering ≤0.07% RSD flow precision at 0.2 mL/min and <0.2% RSD retention time repeatability over 24 h
• Autosampler with 100-position 1.5 mL vial capacity, 1–50 µL injection range, and three injection modes: full-loop, partial-loop, and µL-pickup—minimizing sample waste and carryover
• Column oven with Peltier-based heating/cooling (5–90 °C, ±0.2 °C stability), accommodating columns up to 30 cm in length
• UV/Vis detector featuring dual-beam optics (deuterium + tungsten lamps), 190–700 nm spectral range, and 100 Hz acquisition rate; optional PDA detector supports 200 Hz sampling and programmable slit widths for enhanced resolution
• Integrated solvent manager with 3- or 5-channel vacuum degassing, leak detection, and tool-free solvent bottle tray access

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Flexar system accommodates standard 4.6 mm × 150 mm analytical columns as well as narrow-bore (2.1 mm ID) and microbore formats used in fast-LC and LC-MS coupling. It supports aqueous-organic mobile phases, ion-pair reagents, and pH-stable buffers within the operational temperature and pressure envelope. The hardware and software architecture comply with key regulatory expectations: data audit trails, electronic signatures, and secure user access control are natively supported in Chromera CDS (Chromatography Data System). The system meets essential elements of FDA 21 CFR Part 11, ISO/IEC 17025, and ASTM D7097 (for hydrocarbon analysis), and is routinely validated per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines for method robustness and system suitability testing.

Software & Data Management

Flexar systems operate exclusively with PerkinElmer’s Chromera CDS or legacy TotalChrom software—both designed for multi-instrument network deployment and centralized data archival. Chromera provides real-time peak tracking, automated system suitability assessment (including USP tailing factor, plate count, and resolution calculations), and customizable reporting templates aligned with LIMS integration protocols (via ASTM E1384 or HL7). Raw data files (.chm) are stored in a structured, non-proprietary folder hierarchy with embedded metadata (method parameters, instrument configuration, calibration history). Audit trail logs record all user actions—including method edits, sequence changes, and result overrides—with timestamps, operator IDs, and IP addresses where applicable.

Applications

The Flexar platform is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical QC (assay, related substances, dissolution testing), environmental analysis (PAHs, pesticides, PFAS), food safety (mycotoxins, preservatives, vitamins), and polymer characterization (additive quantification, residual monomers). Its pressure tolerance and low dwell volume (<500 µL) make it suitable for gradient methods requiring rapid equilibration, while the PDA detector’s high spectral fidelity supports peak purity assessment and unknown identification in impurity profiling. When coupled with mass spectrometry interfaces (e.g., Flexar SQ 300 MS), the system enables targeted quantitation and structural confirmation under GCP-compliant workflows.

FAQ

Is this a refurbished or used instrument? What warranty is provided?
This is a pre-owned Flexar system that has undergone full functional validation, including pump linearity, detector noise/drift, autosampler precision, and column oven thermal uniformity. It includes a 12-month limited hardware warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
Can the system be upgraded to UHPLC specifications?
Yes—existing Flexar base configurations support field installation of FX-20 binary pumps, FX UV/Vis or PDA detectors, and high-pressure-compatible autosamplers (up to 18,000 psi), subject to mechanical inspection and firmware update.
Does the system include chromatography software licenses?
A perpetual license for Chromera CDS is included, with optional annual maintenance covering software updates, remote diagnostics, and priority technical support.
What documentation is delivered with the instrument?
Full set of original OEM manuals (hardware, software, safety), completed IQ/OQ documentation templates, and a Certificate of Operational Verification signed by PerkinElmer-certified service engineers.
Are consumables and spare parts available?
All standard Flexar modules, seals, gaskets, lamp kits, flow cells, and column ovens remain in active production and are stocked globally through PerkinElmer’s authorized distribution network.