PC4006 High-Pressure Quaternary Gradient HPLC System
| Origin | USA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | PC4006 |
| Price Range | USD 14,000–28,000 |
| Instrument Type | Conventional High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph |
| Flow Rate Range | 0.001–40 mL/min |
| Maximum Pressure | 10,000 psi |
| Autosampler Capacity | 120 positions |
| Injection Volume Range | 1–100 µL |
| Column Oven Temperature Range | (Ambient +10 °C) to 150 °C |
| UV-Vis Wavelength Range | 190–900 nm |
| Data Acquisition Rate | 100 Hz |
Overview
The PC4006 High-Pressure Quaternary Gradient HPLC System is an engineered solution for laboratories requiring robust, high-fidelity liquid chromatographic separation with enhanced sensitivity and gradient precision. Built upon a true high-pressure quaternary mixing architecture—exclusively implemented in the patented Q-Grad pump—the system eliminates low-pressure solvent blending artifacts such as dwell volume variability, bubble formation, and compositional lag. Unlike conventional low-pressure mixing systems, the Q-Grad delivers all four solvents directly into the high-pressure fluid path, enabling real-time, pulse-free gradient generation with sub-microliter mixing chamber volume and <0.8% flow pulsation at 1 mL/min and 1,000 psi. This architecture supports method scalability from analytical to preparative workflows and ensures exceptional retention time reproducibility (<0.1% RSD) across the full flow range (0.001–40 mL/min), even under sustained 10,000 psi operation.
Key Features
- Q-Grad High-Pressure Quaternary Pump: World’s only commercially deployed high-pressure quaternary gradient pump; integrates four independent solvent channels into a single high-pressure mixing manifold without external degassing.
- UV6000 Diode Array Detector (DAD): Features a 50-mm LightPipe flow cell—five times longer than standard 10-mm cells—with optimized internal reflective surface geometry to maximize photon path length while maintaining optical throughput and minimizing band broadening.
- Enhanced Sensitivity & Stability: Baseline noise ≤ ±3 × 10⁻⁶ AU; drift ≤ 1 × 10⁻⁶ AU/hr; enables reliable detection of trace analytes down to low ng-levels in complex matrices.
- Intelligent Column Compartment: Precise temperature control from ambient +10 °C to 150 °C with ±0.5 °C uniformity across dual-column mounting zones; supports method development under elevated temperature conditions per ASTM D7982 and USP <621>.
- Modular Expandability: Designed for seamless integration with optional modules including fraction collectors, mass spectrometer interfaces (LC-MS coupling), and electrochemical detectors—fully supported by EZSTAR software configuration logic.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The PC4006 accommodates standard 2.1–4.6 mm ID analytical columns and is compatible with reversed-phase, HILIC, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion chemistries. Its pressure rating (10,000 psi) supports sub-2-µm particle-packed columns and ultra-high-resolution separations compliant with ISO 17025-accredited QC/QA protocols. All hardware components—including stainless-steel fluidic paths, PEEK-lined capillaries, and inert valve rotors—meet USP Class VI biocompatibility standards. The system supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails, electronic signatures, and data integrity controls when deployed with validated EZSTAR software configurations in GMP/GLP environments.
Software & Data Management
EZSTAR Chromatography Data System (CDS) provides native support for 3D spectral visualization, peak purity assessment via spectral angle mapping (SAM), and automated library matching against NIST/EPA/USP spectral databases. It enables remote instrument monitoring and control via secure HTTPS endpoints, offline method editing during network outages, and bidirectional data exchange with LIMS platforms through ASTM E1384-compliant XML export. Raw data files (.ezd) are stored in vendor-neutral HDF5 format with embedded metadata (acquisition parameters, calibration logs, user annotations), ensuring long-term archival compliance per ICH M10 and FDA guidance on electronic records.
Applications
The PC4006 is routinely deployed in pharmaceutical stability-indicating assays, impurity profiling per ICH Q3B(R3), natural product fingerprinting, environmental pesticide residue analysis (EPA Method 531.1), and clinical biomarker quantification in plasma/serum using protein precipitation or SPE sample preparation. Its high-pressure gradient fidelity enables method transfer between UHPLC and HPLC platforms without re-optimization, while the UV6000 DAD’s wide 190–900 nm spectral range supports simultaneous detection of conjugated aromatics, transition metal complexes, and near-IR-absorbing dyes.
FAQ
Does the Q-Grad pump require an external degasser?
No—the high-pressure mixing design inherently suppresses dissolved gas nucleation, eliminating the need for inline or reservoir-based degassing units.
Is EZSTAR software compliant with 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes—when installed in a validated configuration with role-based access control, electronic signature enforcement, and immutable audit trail logging.
Can the system operate with sub-2-µm columns at full pressure?
Yes—rated for continuous operation up to 10,000 psi with compatible column hardware and appropriate backpressure management.
What is the minimum injection volume accuracy at 1 µL?
Injection precision is maintained at ≤0.5% RSD across the 1–100 µL range, verified per ISO 8655-6 gravimetric testing protocol.
Is the UV6000 detector compatible with post-column derivatization setups?
Yes—its 10-µL flow cell volume and low dispersion optical path support integration with reaction coils and heating modules for OPA, ninhydrin, or fluorescence derivatization workflows.
