Clarete AS-2920-20 Liquid Autosampler for Gas Chromatography
| Brand | Clarete |
|---|---|
| Origin | Henan, China |
| Manufacturer Type | OEM Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model | AS-2920-20 |
| Instrument Type | Gas Chromatography Autosampler |
| Max Sample Capacity | 20 vials |
| Minimum Injection Volume | 0.1 µL |
| Standard Loop Volume | 10 µL (optional: 1, 5, 25, 100 µL) |
| Positioning Accuracy | 0.1 mm |
| Motion Mechanism | Rotary Carousel |
| Needle Wash | Internal & External Wall Rinse |
| Repeat Injection Capability | Unlimited |
Overview
The Clarete AS-2920-20 is a precision-engineered liquid autosampler designed specifically for integration with gas chromatography (GC) systems. Based on a fixed-tower architecture — a structural evolution from the earlier 16-position platform — it employs a vertically aligned syringe drive mechanism that enhances needle penetration depth and minimizes carryover-induced variability. Its operational principle relies on programmable micro-stepping motor control, coupled with high-resolution optical position feedback, to achieve repeatable sample aspiration, solvent rinse, and injection sequences. The system operates under ambient laboratory conditions and is intended for use in regulated QC/QA laboratories, environmental testing facilities, and R&D environments where unattended GC analysis demands robust reproducibility and long-term stability.
Key Features
- Fixed-tower vertical syringe design with deep-penetration “large-cap” needle assembly, reducing dead-volume effects and improving volumetric accuracy by >30% versus legacy carousel-based designs.
- High-fidelity positioning system with ±0.1 mm repeatability across all X-Y-Z axes, validated per ISO 9001-compliant calibration protocols.
- Configurable aspiration and injection velocity profiles — selectable between fast/slow modes — enabling precise handling of low- to high-viscosity samples (e.g., biodiesel blends, polymer solutions, or essential oil extracts).
- Dual solvent reservoir support (2 positions) and dedicated waste vial (1 position), permitting sequential pre- and post-injection rinses using independent solvents to eliminate cross-contamination.
- Large-format capacitive touchscreen interface (≥7-inch diagonal) with intuitive icon-driven navigation, supporting method setup, real-time status monitoring, and error diagnostics without external PC dependency.
- Uninterrupted 24/7 operation capability with built-in thermal management and power-fail recovery logic, meeting requirements for overnight batch processing in GLP-compliant workflows.
- Universal GC interface compatibility via standard TTL/RS-232/USB control signals; supports trigger synchronization with Agilent, Shimadzu, Thermo Fisher, PerkinElmer, and other major GC platforms.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The AS-2920-20 accommodates standard 10–12 mm OD glass or polypropylene vials (2 mL, 4 mL, and 10 mL formats) mounted on a precision-machined 20-position aluminum carousel. Vial height tolerance is ±0.5 mm, ensuring consistent needle tip alignment across all positions. The system complies with mechanical safety standards IEC 61000-6-2 (EMC immunity) and IEC 61000-6-4 (EMC emission). While not certified as Class I medical device, its firmware architecture supports audit trail generation and user access controls required under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed with compliant chromatography data systems (CDS). It meets ISO/IEC 17025 traceability expectations for instrument qualification through documented IQ/OQ protocols.
Software & Data Management
Control is executed via embedded firmware with dual-mode operation: standalone touchscreen mode and remote command mode via ASCII-based serial protocol. All method parameters — including loop volume selection (1–100 µL), dwell times (0–300 s pre/post-injection), viscosity delay (0–120 s), and PTV interval timing (0–300 s) — are stored in non-volatile memory with timestamped version history. Raw execution logs record every actuation event (aspiration, wash, inject), including actual delivered volume estimates derived from syringe plunger displacement tracking. Exportable CSV logs include timestamps, vial ID, loop volume, rinse count, and RSD-calculated precision metrics per sequence — facilitating trend analysis and compliance reporting.
Applications
- Residual solvent analysis in pharmaceutical intermediates (ICH Q3C compliant workflows)
- Volatile organic compound (VOC) profiling in drinking water per EPA Method 524.2 and 8260D
- Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) quantification in biodiesel per ASTM D6751
- Flavor & fragrance compound screening in food matrices using headspace-GC/FID
- Quality control of petrochemical feedstocks including BTEX, naphthalene, and alkylbenzenes
- Method development for multi-component pesticide residue analysis in agricultural commodities
FAQ
Does the AS-2920-20 support split/splitless inlet configurations?
Yes — it interfaces seamlessly with both split and splitless GC inlets via hardware-triggered injection timing, configurable dwell durations, and optional PTV-compatible sequencing.
Can I perform needle washes between every injection?
Absolutely — up to 20 independent rinse cycles per injection are programmable, with separate solvent selection for inner-needle and outer-needle cleaning steps.
Is validation documentation available for GMP environments?
Yes — Clarete provides IQ/OQ templates, metrology certificates for positioning accuracy, and firmware revision logs upon request to support 21 CFR Part 11 readiness.
What syringe sizes are supported beyond the standard 10 µL loop?
The system accepts interchangeable syringes ranging from 1 µL to 500 µL; common options include 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 µL volumes, all calibrated per ISO 8655.
How is carryover minimized during high-concentration sample analysis?
Through synchronized internal/external needle rinsing, adjustable dwell time in rinse solvent, and optional post-rinse nitrogen purge (when integrated with compatible GC auxiliary gas modules).
