High-Performance Liquid Chromatography System

Description of Specifications - HPLC system with ECD, including computer, software, and installation:

Minimum requirements for the HPLC system we require:

1. The system should have all essential parts of an HPLC, to include: Autosampler, a degasser module, pumps, a column oven and columns, a detector, a controller, and all of the necessary tubing and accessories required to run the system, including the software necessary to connect to the controller and run the system. All major parts of the system (I.E. the pumps, detector, column oven, controller, etc.) should be from the same manufacturer or at least supported (as in troubleshooting support) by the same manufacturer.
2. The parts of the system which lie within the flow path which carries the various buffers and samples through the system must not contain metal. No part of the flow path should contain stainless steel and all tubing used should consist of PEEK tubing, a hardy, non-reactive plastic tubing commonly used for various HPLC setups where metal is not possible due to the nature of the assayed samples and/or buffers necessary during analysis. PEEK tubing is required . The system and flow path must also be capable of enduring a wide range of pH, from 1.0-14.0, as many buffers used in our assays are at the extreme ends of the pH scale. Minimum pressure tolerance of at least 20 MPa (2900 psi)
3. The system must have multiple pumps (at least 2), or at absolute minimum a single pump capable of generating gradients from multiple inputs. 
4.  Specific non-detector potions of the system:
   • The solvent delivery system should be able to operate in constant flow or constant pressure modes.
   • The pumps must have a high flow rate accuracy (+ or - 2%) and precision (0.06%)
   • The pumps should come equipped with a suction filter to prevent particulate contamination. As this will be in the flow path, it should be non-metal, ideally ceramic.
   • The autosampler must provide temperature control to the sample compartment (between 4-40C minimum)
   • The autosampler must have a high injection volume accuracy (+ or – 1%) and low injection volume variance (<0.3%)
5. The HPLC will require a specific type of detector called an electrochemical detector (ECD). The detector should either be manufactured by the same manufacturer as the other major parts, or at least be supported (as in Troubleshooting support) by the same manufacturer as the other major parts. The detector should also come with an Au (gold) electrode, as this is the electrode type needed for sugars analysis.  The system is perferred to be modular and allow the installation of additional detectors in future. 
6. Any HPLC option considered should include technical installation and initial testing of the system;. The technician performing the installation is required to be a U.S. Citizen.
7. Additional System Specifications: 

• System Controller
  • Supports remote monitoring
  • Mobile phases can be purged and baselines checked easily via touch panel.
• Solvent Delivery Pump
  • Auto-diagnostics to detect problems during analysis, and an auto-recovery function
  • Duel solvent delivery system to reduce space
• Degassing Unit
  • Can handle up to 3 degassed solvents
• Autosampler/Plate Changer
  • Fast injection speed
  • Continuous analysis of hundreds of samples
  • High-reproducibility and ultra-low carryover for micro-volume injections
  • Automated sample preparation functions
• Column Oven
  • Automatic management of column information such as number of injections and pressure during analysis
  • Monitoring of column degradation through usage history
• Electrochemical Detector
  • Ability to detect carbohydrates using high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection.

There should be a warrantee of at least 1 year, and preferably 2 years or more, for the system.