UltimateChrom UC-3233 Isocratic High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph
| Brand | UltimateChrom |
|---|---|
| Model | UC-3233 |
| Configuration | Modular Isocratic HPLC System |
| Pump Type | Dual-Piston Series High-Pressure Solvent Delivery |
| Flow Rate Range | 0.001–9.999 mL/min |
| Flow Accuracy | <0.4% RSD at 1 mL/min (deionized water, 25 °C) |
| Flow Precision | ≤0.1% RSD at 1 mL/min |
| Maximum Pressure | 40 MPa |
| Pressure Pulsation | <0.05 MPa |
| UV-Vis Detector Wavelength Range | 190–740 nm |
| Light Source | Deuterium Lamp |
| Wavelength Accuracy | ±1 nm |
| Spectral Scan Mode | Stop-Flow Auto-Scan |
| Baseline Noise | 2×10⁻⁵ AU (240 nm, 25 °C) |
| Baseline Drift | 15×10⁻⁵ AU/h (240 nm, 25 °C) |
| LOD | 5×10⁻⁹ g/mL (naphthalene, 254 nm, methanol mobile phase) |
| Control Interface | RS-232 |
| Display | 2×16 Character LCD (English) |
Overview
The UltimateChrom UC-3233 Isocratic High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph is a modular, benchtop analytical system engineered for robustness, method reproducibility, and long-term operational stability in routine QC laboratories and academic research environments. Built upon classical reversed-phase liquid chromatography principles, the UC-3233 employs high-pressure isocratic elution—delivering a single, compositionally stable mobile phase throughout the separation cycle—to resolve moderately complex mixtures where gradient programming is unnecessary or undesirable. Its dual-piston series pump architecture, combined with electronic pressure pulsation suppression (replacing mechanical dampeners), ensures exceptionally low flow-induced baseline disturbance and minimizes column stress during extended runs. The system’s UV-Vis detector utilizes a deuterium lamp and digitally processed photodiode array signal acquisition to deliver precise absorbance quantitation across the 190–740 nm spectral window. Designed as a foundational platform, the UC-3233 supports future expansion into binary high-pressure or quaternary low-pressure gradient configurations without hardware replacement—enabling labs to scale analytical capability in alignment with evolving regulatory or method development requirements.
Key Features
- Modular architecture permitting seamless transition from isocratic to gradient operation via field-upgradable pump modules and solvent selection valves.
- Dual-piston series pump with real-time electronic pressure feedback control, achieving flow precision ≤0.1% RSD and pressure pulsation <0.05 MPa at 1 mL/min—critical for baseline stability in trace-level quantitation.
- UV-Vis detector featuring stop-flow spectral scanning, wavelength programming, and digital signal processing to eliminate analog drift and enhance peak integration fidelity.
- Interchangeable pump heads and flow cells—facilitating maintenance, column compatibility adaptation (e.g., UHPLC vs. standard-bore), and compliance with cleaning validation protocols.
- Full instrument reverse control via RS-232 interface: all operational parameters—including flow rate, detection wavelength, attenuation, and run time—are configurable and monitored through the integrated chromatography workstation software.
- Self-diagnostic firmware executing automated pressure leak checks, lamp energy verification, and detector baseline validation prior to each sequence—reducing operator dependency and supporting GLP-compliant audit trails.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The UC-3233 accommodates standard 3.9–4.6 mm ID analytical columns (up to 250 mm length) and is compatible with common reversed-phase C18, C8, phenyl, and HILIC stationary phases. It supports aqueous/organic mobile phases (e.g., water/acetonitrile, water/methanol) and buffers within pH 2–8. While primarily deployed for isocratic assays per USP , ASTM D7217, and ISO 17025-accredited methods, its gradient-ready design allows validation of ICH Q2(R2)-compliant methods when upgraded. All electronic controls and data handling adhere to ALCOA+ principles; the workstation software supports user access levels, electronic signatures, and audit trail generation compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed on validated IT infrastructure.
Software & Data Management
The UC-3233 operates with UltimateChrom Workstation v3.x—a Windows-based, GxP-ready application offering full instrument control, real-time chromatogram visualization, peak integration using tangent skim and valley-to-valley algorithms, calibration curve generation (linear, quadratic, weighted), and report export in PDF, CSV, and XML formats. Raw data files are stored in vendor-neutral .ucd format with embedded metadata (instrument ID, method name, operator, timestamp, audit log entries). The software includes method transfer utilities for cross-platform compatibility with legacy Agilent ChemStation and Waters Empower workflows, and supports LIMS integration via ASTM E1384-compliant HL7 messaging.
Applications
- Routine quality control of pharmaceutical actives and excipients per pharmacopoeial monographs (e.g., USP, EP, ChP) requiring isocratic assay conditions.
- Stability-indicating assays for degradation product profiling under forced degradation conditions where gradient resolution is not required.
- Food additive quantification (e.g., benzoates, sorbates, artificial colors) in accordance with AOAC 992.15 and ISO 14501.
- Environmental analysis of priority pollutants (e.g., PAHs, phenols) in drinking water extracts using EPA Method 8310-compliant isocratic separations.
- Academic teaching labs for fundamental chromatographic theory instruction—retention time modeling, capacity factor calculation, and resolution optimization.
FAQ
Can the UC-3233 be upgraded to a gradient system after initial purchase?
Yes—the system’s chassis, electronics, and software support field installation of binary high-pressure or quaternary low-pressure gradient modules without replacing the main controller or detector.
Does the workstation software meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements?
The software provides Part 11–capable features (electronic signatures, audit trails, role-based access); formal validation must be performed by the end user per their internal SOPs and risk assessment.
What is the maximum column backpressure the system can sustain continuously?
The pump is rated for continuous operation up to 40 MPa at flow rates ≥0.2 mL/min; pressure limit protection is active at 42 MPa with automatic shutdown.
Is the detector capable of multi-wavelength analysis during a single run?
No—the current configuration performs single-wavelength detection per run; however, wavelength switching is programmable at user-defined time points, enabling multi-analyte monitoring without re-injection.
How often does the deuterium lamp require replacement under typical usage?
Lamp lifetime is rated at ≥2,000 hours; the software displays real-time lamp energy output and triggers a maintenance alert when intensity falls below 70% of initial specification.
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