Laballiance Prep100/24 Preparative HPLC Pump

Overview

The Laballiance Prep100/24 is a dual-range preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pump engineered for robust, high-flow, high-pressure solvent delivery in purification-scale chromatographic applications. It operates on positive displacement principle using precision-machined dual-ball-seat check valves and a low-pulse reciprocating plunger mechanism—designed to minimize pulsation, ensure long-term column integrity, and maintain stable flow under variable backpressure conditions. The pump offers two operational modes: the Prep24 mode delivers 0.1–24 mL/min at up to 6,000 psi, optimized for high-resolution analytical-to-preparative transitions; the Prep100 mode supports 0.1–100 mL/min at up to 3,000 psi, enabling rapid fraction collection and large-volume sample loading. Its architecture meets the mechanical and regulatory expectations of GLP-compliant laboratories, supporting method transfer from analytical to preparative scale while maintaining traceable pressure and flow performance.

Key Features

• Self-cleaning pump head with high-speed wash valve reduces carryover and enables rapid mobile-phase switching without manual disassembly.
• Dual-material fluid path: standard 316 stainless steel or optional chemically inert PEEK tubing for compatibility with aggressive solvents (e.g., THF, DCM, strong acids/bases).
• Front-panel LED interface with intuitive keypad navigation—no host computer required for basic operation; flow setpoints adjustable in 0.1 mL/min increments.
• Real-time pressure monitoring with programmable upper and lower limits; automatic shutdown on overpressure or motor fault detection.
• Low-pulsation design incorporating integrated pulse dampener and pressure transducer—ensures <±1% pressure ripple at full load (3,000 psi / 100 mL/min).
• RS-232 serial interface enables bidirectional communication for remote control, status polling, and event logging in networked lab environments.
• Flexible external control support: TTL-level run/stop trigger, 0–10 V analog flow setpoint input, and 0–10 kHz frequency-based flow modulation for integration into automated purification platforms.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Prep100/24 is compatible with standard 1/8″ and 1/4″ column hardware and accommodates common preparative column diameters (10–100 mm ID). Its stainless steel or PEEK wetted surfaces comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements and resist corrosion from acetonitrile, methanol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, and dilute mineral acids. The pump supports method validation per ICH Q2(R2) guidelines through reproducible flow delivery (0.15% RSD) and calibrated pressure feedback. When deployed in regulated environments, its RS-232 interface and deterministic control logic facilitate audit-trail generation under FDA 21 CFR Part 11-compliant data acquisition systems. No internal firmware or software enforces electronic signatures; however, the hardware-level pressure and flow diagnostics provide essential raw data for GMP/GLP documentation packages.

Software & Data Management

The Prep100/24 operates autonomously via its embedded microcontroller—requiring no operating system or driver installation. For advanced sequencing, Laballiance offers an optional standalone gradient control unit (sold separately), which provides independent programming of multi-step methods including equilibration, injection, gradient ramping, and cycle repetition—all with user-defined time, flow, pressure, and volume parameters. All pump events—including pressure excursions, motor faults, and wash cycles—are timestamped and accessible via RS-232 polling. Integration with third-party chromatography data systems (CDS) such as Empower, Chromeleon, or OpenLab is achieved through ASCII command protocols documented in the OEM technical manual. Raw pressure and flow status registers are readable in real time, enabling custom SCADA or LIMS interfacing without proprietary middleware.

Applications

• Small-molecule purification in pharmaceutical process development (e.g., API intermediate isolation, chiral separation, impurity enrichment).
• Natural product fractionation from crude extracts using medium-pressure flash or MPLC workflows.
• Peptide and oligonucleotide desalting and buffer exchange prior to lyophilization or formulation.
• Method scouting and scale-up studies where consistent flow accuracy across 0.1–100 mL/min is critical for retention time predictability.
• Automated parallel purification systems requiring synchronized dual-pump high-pressure gradient delivery.
• QC/QA labs performing forced degradation studies requiring precise, repeatable solvent delivery under elevated backpressure.

FAQ

Can the Prep100/24 be used for analytical HPLC applications?
Yes—when operated in Prep24 mode (0.1–24 mL/min, up to 6,000 psi), it delivers flow precision and pressure stability suitable for analytical-scale columns (e.g., 4.6 mm ID), though its primary design focus remains preparative throughput.
Is PEEK fluid path available for all configurations?
Yes—PEEK tubing is offered as an alternative to stainless steel across all catalog SKUs (e.g., P40PFT01, P10PFT01) and is recommended for halogenated solvents or pH 10 applications.
Does the pump support gradient mixing internally?
No—the Prep100/24 is a single-solvent high-pressure pump. Gradient formation requires external low-pressure mixing (e.g., with a second Prep100/24 and a high-pressure tee) or use of the optional standalone gradient control unit.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Plunger seals should be inspected every 500 hours of operation; check valves and wash valves require cleaning every 200 hours when handling viscous or particulate-laden solvents. Full service kits and torque specifications are provided in the Maintenance Manual (Rev. D).
Is firmware upgrade capability supported?
Firmware updates are performed via RS-232 using Laballiance-provided utility software; revision history and update procedures are documented in the Technical Support Portal accessible to registered customers.