Shimadzu LC-2030 Used High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph (Standard Configuration)

Overview

The Shimadzu LC-2030 is a pre-owned, fully refurbished high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) from Shimadzu’s i-Series platform — engineered for robustness, operational simplicity, and analytical consistency in regulated and research-intensive environments. As a core member of the i-Series family, the LC-2030 implements a unified hardware-software architecture optimized for routine and method-driven separations using reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography. Its quaternary solvent delivery system supports gradient elution with precise flow control (0.001–10.000 mL/min), while the integrated column oven maintains thermal stability across a 5–85 °C range — critical for retention time reproducibility and method transferability. The system operates at a maximum pressure of 44 MPa (6,380 psi), making it suitable for standard 3–5 µm particle-packed columns and many UHPLC-compatible 2.7 µm superficially porous particles. Unlike legacy HPLC platforms requiring constant PC interaction, the LC-2030 features an intuitive front-panel interface enabling full method initiation, sequence loading, and real-time status monitoring directly at the instrument — reducing analyst dependency on dedicated workstations and minimizing lab footprint.

Key Features

• Integrated quaternary pump with low-pulsation dual-plunger design and active solvent compressibility compensation
• Refrigerated 100-position autosampler (4–10 °C) ensuring sample integrity for thermally labile analytes and extended unattended operation
• UV-Vis detector with variable wavelength scanning (190–700 nm), 8 nm bandwidth, and 10 Hz data acquisition rate
• Thermally stabilized column compartment accommodating up to two 30 cm columns simultaneously
• Front-panel touchscreen interface supporting direct method execution, sequence management, and real-time chromatogram display
• Browser-based remote monitoring via Ethernet connectivity — enables live status checks, alarm notifications, and post-run review from any networked device
• LabSolutions software suite with built-in validation tools, customizable reporting templates, and optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance modules (LabSolutions CS)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LC-2030 supports a broad range of sample matrices including pharmaceutical actives and impurities, food-grade additives and contaminants, environmental water/soil extracts, and synthetic polymers. Its modular detector architecture allows seamless integration of optional detectors — such as the RF-20Axs fluorescence detector for trace-level PAH or mycotoxin analysis, or the RID-20A refractive index detector for carbohydrate and polymer characterization. When paired with LabSolutions GPC software, the system delivers accurate molecular weight distribution (MWD) profiles for synthetic and natural polymers. From a regulatory perspective, the LC-2030 — when configured with LabSolutions CS and operated under documented SOPs — meets key requirements for GLP (OECD Principles), GMP (ICH Q2(R2), USP ), and environmental testing (EPA Method 8330B, ISO 17025). Full audit trail, user access controls, and electronic signature functionality are available upon software licensing and system qualification.

Software & Data Management

LabSolutions serves as the central analytical engine for the LC-2030, offering unified control of all modules and comprehensive post-run processing. It provides automated peak integration using multiple algorithms (e.g., valley-to-valley, tangent skim), baseline correction, and customizable calibration curve generation (linear, quadratic, weighted). Statistical summaries — including %RSD for retention time and peak area across replicate injections — are generated automatically. Abnormal value detection (e.g., outlier peaks, pressure spikes, baseline drift) is configurable and reportable. All raw data files (.lcd) are stored in a secure, timestamped hierarchical structure. For laboratories subject to FDA or EMA oversight, LabSolutions CS extends functionality with role-based permissions, electronic signatures, and immutable audit logs — fulfilling 21 CFR Part 11 and Annex 11 requirements when deployed on validated IT infrastructure.

Applications

The LC-2030 demonstrates proven utility across regulated and academic sectors. In pharmaceutical quality control, it performs assay and related substances testing per USP monographs for APIs and finished dosage forms. In food safety labs, it quantifies preservatives (e.g., benzoates, sorbates), sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, sucralose), and pesticide residues following AOAC or EN standards. Environmental applications include multi-residue analysis of phenolic compounds in wastewater (EPA 608), phthalates in soil leachates (ISO 18856), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water (EPA 537.1). In polymer science, its compatibility with RID-20A and LabSolutions GPC enables rapid determination of Mn, Mw, and dispersity (Đ) for polystyrene, polyethylene glycol, and polysaccharide standards — with simultaneous UV detection for additive profiling.

FAQ

Is this LC-2030 unit fully refurbished and performance-qualified?
Yes — each unit undergoes complete mechanical inspection, fluidic path cleaning, pump seal replacement, detector lamp calibration, and multi-point system suitability testing (SST) per USP . A full qualification report (IQ/OQ summary) is provided.
Can the system be upgraded to support PDA or fluorescence detection?
Yes — the LC-2030 chassis is natively compatible with Shimadzu SPD-M30A PDA and RF-20Axs fluorescence detectors. Detector installation requires configuration verification and software license activation.
Does the included LabSolutions license support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
The base LabSolutions license supports data acquisition and reporting. For Part 11 compliance, LabSolutions CS must be licensed and installed — including user authentication setup, electronic signature configuration, and audit trail enablement.
What maintenance services are available post-purchase?
We offer annual preventive maintenance contracts covering pump seal kits, lamp replacements, system leak checks, SST revalidation, and remote troubleshooting support — with priority response times for contract holders.
Is column oven temperature uniformity verified during refurbishment?
Yes — thermal mapping is performed across the column compartment using NIST-traceable probes; temperature deviation is confirmed to be ≤ ±0.5 °C across the operating range (5–85 °C).