Shimadzu Prominence Prep HPLC System (Refurbished)

Overview

The Shimadzu Prominence Prep HPLC System is a fully refurbished preparative-scale liquid chromatography platform engineered for high-throughput purification of organic compounds, pharmaceutical intermediates, natural product isolates, and trace-level impurities. Based on Shimadzu’s proven Prominence architecture, this system implements high-pressure gradient elution via dual-plunger parallel pump technology (LC-20AP), delivering stable flow across a broad dynamic range—from analytical-scale precision (0.001–5 mL/min) to preparative-scale throughput (up to 150 mL/min). Its operational principle relies on isocratic or gradient solvent delivery coupled with UV-Vis absorbance detection (SPD-20A, 190–700 nm wavelength range) to enable real-time fraction collection based on retention time and spectral response. The system’s mechanical robustness, thermal stability (via LC-8A column bracket with ambient or heated mounting options), and modular expandability make it suitable for laboratories transitioning from analytical development to milligram-to-gram scale isolation under reproducible, documented conditions.

Key Features

• LC-20AP preparative pump with dual-servo-controlled plunger design: delivers ≤0.1% RSD flow precision across 0.001–150 mL/min, with pressure tolerance up to 42 MPa at 100 mL/min and 30 MPa at 150 mL/min—enabling use of longer, higher-efficiency prep columns (e.g., 250 × 30 mm, 10 µm C18)
• SPD-20A UV-Vis detector featuring dual-wavelength simultaneous monitoring, variable bandwidth (1–8 nm), and analog/digital output for integration with external fraction collectors or automated switching valves
• CBM-20A system controller providing centralized timing control, event-triggered valve actuation, and hardware synchronization between pump, detector, and optional autosampler (not included but compatible)
• LC-8A column bracket supporting standard 1/4″ and 1/8″ tubing connections, adjustable column clamping, and passive thermal equilibration—optimized for ambient or externally heated column environments
• Refurbishment protocol includes full hydraulic integrity testing, pump seal replacement, detector lamp calibration verification, and baseline noise/stability validation per Shimadzu service guidelines
• Pre-delivery functional verification conducted at SpectraLab Scientific’s ISO 9001-aligned calibration facility; all components verified for leak-free operation and signal linearity within manufacturer-specified tolerances

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

This system accommodates a wide range of sample matrices—including polar/non-polar small molecules, peptides, glycosides, alkaloids, and synthetic drug impurities—when paired with appropriate stationary phases (C18, phenyl-hexyl, cyano, silica, or specialized chiral columns). Mobile phase compatibility spans water/acetonitrile, water/methanol, THF, chloroform, and low-viscosity buffer systems (pH 2–8). While the base configuration does not include an integrated autosampler or fraction collector, it features standard TTL and analog I/O ports for third-party device synchronization. From a regulatory standpoint, the system supports GLP and GMP-aligned workflows when operated with LabSolutions LC/GC software configured for electronic signatures, audit trail logging, and user access controls—fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when validated per laboratory SOPs.

Software & Data Management

The system operates with Shimadzu LabSolutions LC/GC (version 5.9x or later), providing method development tools, peak integration algorithms (tangent skim, valley-to-valley), retention time locking, and customizable report templates. Raw chromatographic data is stored in native .lcd format, exportable to ASCII, CSV, or AIA/CDF for LIMS integration. Audit trail functionality—recording user logins, method edits, run executions, and data exports—is enabled via optional software licensing and requires server-based deployment with Windows Server OS. All refurbished units ship with licensed software media, activation keys, and documentation including electronic copies of the Operation Manual (Prominence Series), Maintenance Guide, and Regulatory Compliance Addendum.

Applications

• Purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and genotoxic impurities per ICH Q3A/B guidelines
• Isolation of bioactive natural products (e.g., flavonoids, terpenoids, marine alkaloids) from crude extracts
• Method transfer from analytical to preparative scale using retention time normalization and linear velocity scaling
• Stability-indicating separation of degradation products in forced degradation studies
• Support for QC release testing of reference standards requiring ≥99.5% purity verification
• Academic and contract research lab use where cost-effective, high-reliability prep-HPLC capability is required without OEM capital expenditure

FAQ

Is this system eligible for IQ/OQ/PQ documentation support?
Yes—SpectraLab provides optional Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) protocols aligned with ASTM E2500 and ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A. Performance Qualification (PQ) must be performed in-house using user-defined test samples.
Can the system be upgraded with an autosampler or fraction collector?
Yes—the CBM-20A controller supports Shimadzu SIL-20A/30A autosamplers and FRC-10A fraction collectors via dedicated interface cables and firmware updates.
What maintenance is recommended post-installation?
Quarterly pump seal inspection, semi-annual detector lamp intensity verification, and annual system backpressure profiling are advised. Consumables kits (frits, seals, purge valve filters) are stocked and available under part number P-HP-REF-KIT.
Does the warranty cover software-related issues?
The 6-month limited warranty covers hardware defects and pre-installed software functionality. Custom software configuration, network integration, or cybersecurity hardening fall outside warranty scope.
Are original Shimadzu service records available?
Where provided by the prior owner, full service history—including PM logs, calibration certificates, and component replacement records—is supplied digitally upon request.