Shimadzu LC-2010AHT Used High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Overview

The Shimadzu LC-2010AHT is a fully integrated, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system engineered for robust routine analysis in regulated and research laboratory environments. Built on Shimadzu’s proven LC-2010 platform, the AHT variant distinguishes itself with a built-in refrigerated autosampler—enabling precise temperature-controlled sample storage at 4–40 °C—to minimize analyte degradation, adsorption, or volatility-related variability during extended unattended runs. The system operates on low-pressure gradient mixing principles, utilizing a dual-piston reciprocating pump architecture (primary 10 µL + auxiliary 5 µL pistons) to deliver stable, pulse-free solvent delivery across a wide pressure range (1–35 MPa). Its modular design integrates degassing (membrane-based, 5-channel), gradient formation, precision pumping, thermostatted column compartment, and dual-wavelength UV-Vis detection into a single compact chassis—reducing footprint, inter-unit connection errors, and system dead volume.

Key Features

• Refrigerated autosampler (4–40 °C) with 350-position 1 mL vial capacity, <0.3% RSD injection repeatability (10 µL), and <0.01% carryover under naphthalene test conditions
• Dual-piston parallel pump delivering flow accuracy of ±1% (1 mL/min, 3–10 MPa, water, 20 °C); flow precision ≤0.075% RSD (0.05–2 mL/min, methanol)
• Low-pressure quaternary gradient unit supporting four solvents with 0.1% incremental ratio control and ±0.1% gradient precision (acetone/water, binary)
• Five-channel membrane degasser: four channels for mobile phase lines, one dedicated to autosampler wash solvent—each with 4 mL (mobile phase) or 2 mL (wash) capacity
• Column oven with Peltier heating/cooling, ±0.1 °C temperature stability, and pre-heating of incoming mobile phase to reduce thermal mismatch effects
• UV-Vis detector featuring deuterium lamp source, 190–600 nm wavelength scanning, ±1 nm wavelength accuracy, ±0.1 nm wavelength reproducibility, and dual-channel simultaneous monitoring (e.g., 220 nm + 254 nm)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LC-2010AHT accommodates standard analytical-scale columns (up to two 300 mm × 4.6 mm ID columns), including reversed-phase C18, phenyl-hexyl, HILIC, and ion-pairing chemistries. Its autosampler supports 1 mL, 1.5 mL, and 4 mL vial formats, enabling direct compatibility with common sample preparation workflows (e.g., SPE eluates, protein digest supernatants, environmental extracts). The system meets baseline requirements for GLP and GMP-aligned laboratories: all critical parameters—including flow rate, gradient profile, column temperature, and detector response—are logged with timestamped audit trails in CLASS-VP Ver. 6.1x software. While not natively 21 CFR Part 11 compliant out-of-the-box, the platform supports electronic signature implementation, user access control, and data integrity protocols when deployed with validated configurations and procedural controls per ISO/IEC 17025 and ASTM E2500 guidance.

Software & Data Management

Controlled exclusively via Shimadzu CLASS-VP Ver. 6.1x chromatography data system (CDS), the LC-2010AHT provides intuitive graphical workflow navigation, context-sensitive wizards for method development, and real-time visualization of chromatograms, pressure profiles, and gradient curves. The software supports automated system suitability testing (SST), including retention time, resolution, tailing factor, and plate count calculations per USP and EP 2.2.46. Raw data are stored in proprietary .chd format with embedded metadata (instrument configuration, sequence log, calibration history), and export options include ASCII, CSV, and AIA/CDF for LIMS integration. Audit trail functionality records all method edits, sequence changes, and report generation events—essential for traceability in quality control and regulatory submissions.

Applications

This instrument is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical QC labs for assay and impurity profiling of small-molecule APIs (e.g., dissolution testing, stability-indicating assays per ICH Q1/Q2), in food safety labs for pesticide residue screening (multi-residue methods per EN 15662), and in environmental testing for PAHs, PCBs, and endocrine disruptors per EPA Method 8330B and ISO 17993. Its refrigerated autosampler makes it especially suitable for thermally labile compounds (e.g., vitamins, prostaglandins, oligonucleotides) and biological matrices requiring cold-chain integrity. The dual-wavelength detection capability enables ratiometric quantitation (e.g., peak purity assessment) and simultaneous monitoring of co-eluting species without post-run re-injection.

FAQ

Is this LC-2010AHT unit fully refurbished and performance-verified?
Yes—each unit undergoes comprehensive functional validation including pump linearity, gradient accuracy, autosampler precision, UV lamp intensity, and detector noise/drift baselines against Shimadzu factory specifications prior to resale.
Does the system include CLASS-VP software licenses and installation support?
Yes—the quoted package includes a perpetual CLASS-VP Ver. 6.1x license with installation media, activation key, and remote setup assistance.
What warranty coverage is provided, and what does it include?
A 6-month limited hardware warranty covers all major components (pump, detector, autosampler, column oven, degasser) against manufacturing defects; labor and parts are included, excluding consumables (seals, frits, lamps, columns).
Can this system be upgraded to support modern data integrity requirements (e.g., 21 CFR Part 11)?
While CLASS-VP Ver. 6.1x lacks native electronic signature modules, it can be deployed in a validated environment with supplementary procedural controls, IT infrastructure hardening, and documented risk assessments to meet ALCOA+ principles.
Are original Shimadzu service manuals and maintenance logs available?
Yes—complete documentation sets, including operation manuals, preventive maintenance guides, and historical service records (where available), are supplied with each instrument.