BIOTECH Online Vacuum Degasser for HPLC Systems
| Origin | Sweden |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | BIOTECH |
| Price | USD 4,200 (FOB) |
Overview
The BIOTECH Online Vacuum Degasser for HPLC Systems is an engineered solution designed to eliminate dissolved gases from mobile phase solvents in real time, prior to their introduction into the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) flow path. Operating on the principle of vacuum-mediated membrane degassing, the system utilizes a proprietary Systec AF fluoropolymer microporous membrane—chemically inert, non-wetting, and highly gas-permeable—to selectively extract oxygen, nitrogen, and other volatile gases without solvent loss or contamination. This physical separation mechanism ensures stable baseline performance in UV-Vis, fluorescence, and electrochemical detection, directly addressing one of the most persistent sources of noise and retention time drift in gradient HPLC methods. Unlike passive sparging or helium purging, this active vacuum degassing architecture delivers consistent, reproducible deaeration across multi-solvent gradients, making it essential for modern UHPLC, LC-MS, and regulated QC/QA workflows where method robustness and data integrity are paramount.
Key Features
- Simultaneous degassing of 2–8 solvent channels via modular vacuum manifold architecture
- Systec AF membrane technology with ultra-low internal volume (480 µL), minimizing dwell volume and gradient delay
- ZHCR (Zero-Hysteresis Constant-Rotation) stepper motor-driven vacuum pump—ensures continuous, pulse-free vacuum generation with no baseline ripple
- Closed-loop vacuum control system that maintains setpoint vacuum pressure regardless of ambient temperature or pump speed fluctuations
- PEEK and Systec AF wetted materials compliant with aggressive organic/aqueous mobile phases (e.g., 100% acetonitrile, 0.1% TFA, pH 1–12)
- Acoustically optimized design: <35 dB(A) operational noise; rated for uninterrupted operation over 5 years (MTBF ≥ 43,800 hours)
- No maintenance valves or purge lines—no need for periodic blow-down, flushing, or membrane replacement under normal use
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The BIOTECH degasser is compatible with all commercially available HPLC and UHPLC systems—including legacy instruments lacking built-in degassing—and integrates seamlessly via standard 1/16″ stainless steel or PEEK tubing (0.005″–0.020″ ID). Its compact footprint (127 × 73 × 249 mm) enables benchtop or rack-mount installation without impeding service access. All fluidic contact surfaces meet USP Class VI and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness requirements for material traceability and process validation. The system supports IQ/OQ documentation packages and is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant laboratories performing pharmacopeial testing (USP , EP 2.2.46) and ICH Q2(R2)-guided method validation. It has been independently verified to reduce dissolved oxygen concentration to <0.1 ppm across methanol/water and acetonitrile/water gradients—meeting ASTM D7572-19 specifications for HPLC-grade solvent degassing performance.
Software & Data Management
While the BIOTECH degasser operates as a standalone hardware module with no embedded firmware or user interface, its vacuum stability and fault-detection logic support full integration into enterprise-level laboratory data management systems. Integrated leak and vacuum decay diagnostics generate timestamped event logs compatible with LIMS and ELN platforms via optional analog voltage output (0–10 V) or digital RS-485 Modbus RTU interface. These signals feed into audit-trail-enabled SCADA environments, enabling automated alerts for vacuum excursion (>±5 mbar deviation), thermal overload, or membrane saturation—critical for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance in pharmaceutical manufacturing and contract research organizations.
Applications
- Baseline stabilization in low-UV absorbance detection (e.g., 200–220 nm peptide analysis)
- Elimination of bubble-induced pressure spikes in high-backpressure UHPLC columns (e.g., sub-2 µm particles, core-shell phases)
- Prevention of oxidation artifacts in redox-sensitive analytes (e.g., catecholamines, thiols, metalloproteins)
- Support of long-duration gradient methods (>60 min) requiring uninterrupted solvent delivery
- Enabling reliable LC-MS coupling by minimizing ion source clogging and signal suppression from microbubbles
- Retrofitting pre-2010 HPLC systems with modern degassing capability without instrument modification
FAQ
Can this degasser be used with THF or chlorinated solvents?
Yes—Systec AF membranes exhibit exceptional chemical resistance to tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate; however, prolonged exposure to >5% chloroform or carbon tetrachloride is not recommended per ISO 10993-18 biocompatibility guidelines.
Is calibration required before use?
No—vacuum setpoint and ZHCR motor parameters are factory-locked and thermally compensated; only initial leak verification per ASTM E2877-22 is advised.
Does it support gradient mixing upstream of the degasser?
Yes—dual- and quad-channel configurations allow post-mixer degassing, preserving gradient fidelity while removing entrained gas generated during solvent blending.
What is the maximum operating pressure rating at the outlet?
400 bar (5,800 psi), compatible with all current-generation UHPLC pumps and column hardware.
How does it compare to helium sparging in terms of oxygen removal efficiency?
Helium sparging typically achieves 1–2 ppm residual O₂; the BIOTECH system consistently delivers ≤0.1 ppm under dynamic gradient conditions, with 3× faster equilibration and zero consumables cost.
