46 Buyers’ Guide 2021
Experience and Applications of a New Portable HPLC Machine
by Andrew J. Alpert
PolyLC Inc, 9151 Rumsey Road, Suite 180, Columbia, MD 21045 USA Email:
aalpert@polylc.com
New technologies are continuously being introduced to improve the efficiency of the analytical laboratory. One area where efficiency could be increased is the analysis of samples at the source. This is particularly important in a range of analytical processes and has resulted in a significant rise in the use of hand-held spectroscopic instrumentation, for example. However, it is not just spectroscopic devices that can be employed for at-source sample analysis. Portable LC systems in particular also offer significant advantages for certain applications. This article highlights some of these application areas. It will also look at the recent introduction of a conveniently portable HPLC instrument of conventional scale and performance that can address many of the challenges that analytical scientists face when trying to analyse samples outside of the laboratory. A series of potential and actual applications are discussed along with the tradeoffs involved and the customisation and support required by diverse customer requirements.
Introduction
There is a growing need for scientists to be able to perform analytical measurements at the sample source, instead of collecting samples and returning them to a central laboratory for analysis. This approach can help in terms of reducing the analysis costs but will also have an impact on the timeliness of the data and potentially its integrity as well if the sample degrades. Historically, this has been difficult to achieve due to the size, cost and complexity of the instrumentation that is required to perform the analysis. Recent advances in fluidics and LED technology have facilitated the design of HPLC systems small enough to be fully portable rather than ‘luggable’. This allows samples to be analysed in situ, bringing substantial benefits; however, it is important that in doing so there is no compromise in the quality of the data that is being produced. There are a range of such instruments that are currently available [1], including the following:
The Axcend Focus LC® system from
Axcend Corp (Provo, UT) was developed in the laboratories of Professor Milton Lee at Brigham Young University. This device is small enough to run on battery power and is designed for use with packed capillaries, meaning that there is less solvent consumption and potentially an increase in the sensitivity of assays compared to those that are run in the laboratory.
SIELC Technologies (Wheeling, IL) have produced the Cromite system, which is quite modular in terms of the column design and also the unique method of introducing a sample into the system. Instrumental control and data collection proceed via a proprietary program in the Cloud.
PolyLC’s SmartLife LC™ uses a portable binary high-pressure gradient HPLC. It is designed for use with ordinary columns and using conventional operating conditions, which means that transferring methods to and from a main analytical laboratory becomes easier. This is ideal for labs with HPLC experience. To some extent it’s analogous to a modernised version of the MINICHROM machine from 1998 [2], but using nonproprietary control and data software and low-voltage LED-based detection.
The SmartLife LC incorporates two custom- designed reciprocating piston pumps for high-pressure mixing, allowing gradient separations to be performed. The pumps are of the compact scale needed for portability: 12 x 8 x 6 cm each, including the pump head. The pumps are independently controlled and capable of 345 bar (5,000 psi) across the flow range, 0.01 up to 5 ml/min with ± 2% accuracy and low pulsation. The operating parameters compare favourably with modern laboratory-based technology, meaning that it is quite feasible to transfer methodologies from field to lab. The
cylindrical detector module is 6 x 4 cm and is powered by the USB hub. LED detectors provide extremely stable output and over 50,000 hours of operation. A Valco manual injection valve is used to introduce the sample. The unit can be powered either with line current or a rechargeable 12V battery. The complete system weighs 10 kg. and fits inside a plastic instrument case.
Solvent bottles are stored within the module and comprise two bottles for the gradient pumps and two bottles for a wash solvent and for waste collection.
Figure 1: The SmartLife LC.
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