Agilent Technologies 1260 Infinity VL User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent 1260 Infinity
Quaternary Pump VL
User Manual

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2010-2011,
2012
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Manual Part Number
G1311-90014
Edition
01/2012
Printed in Germany
Agilent Technologies
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This product may be used as a com-
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stood and met.

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 3
In This Guide...
In This Guide...
This manual covers the Agilent 1260 Infinity Quaternary Pump VL (G1311C).
1 Introduction
This chapter gives an introduction to the module, instrument overview and
internal connectors.
2 Site Requirements and Specifications
This chapter provides information on environmental requirements, physical
and performance specifications.
3 Installing the Pump
This chapter gives information about the preferred stack setup for your system
and the installation of your module.
4UsingthePump
This chapter provides information for optimized usage of the module.
5 Optimizing Performance
This chapter gives hints on how to optimize the performance or use additional
devices.
6 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
This chapter gives an overview about the troubleshooting and diagnostic
features and the different user interfaces.
7 Error Information
This chapter describes the meaning of error messages, and provides
information on probable causes and suggested actions how to recover from
error conditions.

4 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
In This Guide...
8 Test Functions and Calibration
This chapter describes the tests for the module.
9 Maintenance
This chapter describes the maintenance of the module.
10 Parts for Maintenance
This chapter provides information on parts for maintenance.
11 Identifying Cables
This chapter provides information on cables used with the Agilent 1200
Infinity Series modules.
12 Hardware Information
This chapter describes the pump in more detail on hardware and electronics.
13 Appendix
This chapter provides addition information on safety, legal and web.

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 5
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction 9
Introduction to the Pump 10
Overview of the Hydraulic Path 11
Early Maintenance Feedback 16
Instrument Layout 17
2 Site Requirements and Specifications 19
Site Requirements 20
Physical Specifications 23
Performance Specifications 24
3 Installing the Pump 27
Unpacking the Pump 28
Optimizing the Stack Configuration 31
Installing the Pump 34
Connecting Modules and Control Software 37
Flow Connections of the Pump 39
Priming the System 42
4UsingthePump 47
Hints for Successful Use of the Pump 48
Prevent Blocking of Solvent Filters 49
Algae Growth in HPLC Systems 50
Solvent Information 51
5 Optimizing Performance 53
Using the Degasser 54
Operational Hints for the Multi Channel Gradient Valve (MCGV) 55
When to use the Seal Wash Function 56
Choosing the Right Pump Seals 57
Optimize the Compressibility Compensation Setting 58

6 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
Contents
6 Troubleshooting and Diagnostics 61
Overview of the Module’s Indicators and Test Functions 62
Status Indicators 64
User Interfaces 66
Agilent Lab Advisor Software 67
7 Error Information 69
What Are Error Messages 71
General Error Messages 72
Module Error Messages 79
8 Test Functions and Calibration 95
Introduction 96
System Pressure Test 97
Leak Rate Test 102
9 Maintenance 107
Introduction to Maintenance 108
Warnings and Cautions 109
Overview of Maintenance and Repair 110
Cleaning the Module 111
Checking and Replacing the Solvent Filter 112
Exchanging the Passive Inlet Valve (PIV) 113
Exchanging the Outlet Valve 115
Exchanging the Purge Valve Frit 117
Removing the Pump Head Assembly 119
Maintenance of a Pump Head Without Seal Wash Option 121
Maintenance of a Pump Head with Seal Wash Option 124
Reinstalling the Pump Head Assembly 128
Seal Wear-in Procedure 130
Exchanging the Multi-Channel Gradient Valve (MCGV) 131
Exchanging the Optional Interface Board 134
Exchanging the Active Inlet Valve (AIV) or its Cartridge 136
Replacing the Module Firmware 138

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 7
Contents
10 Parts for Maintenance 139
Pump Head Assembly Without Seal Wash 140
Pump Head Assembly with Seal Wash 142
Outlet Valve 144
Purge Valve Assembly 145
Active Inlet Valve Assembly 146
HPLC Starter Kit G4201-68707 147
HPLC Starter Kit G4202-68707 148
HPLC System Tool Kit 149
Solvent Cabinet 150
Bottle Head Assembly 151
Hydraulic Path of the Quaternary Pump 152
11 Identifying Cables 155
Cable Overview 156
Analog Cables 158
Remote Cables 160
BCD Cables 163
CAN Cable 165
External Contact Cable 166
Agilent Module to PC 167
Agilent 1200 Module to Printer 168
12 Hardware Information 169
Firmware Description 170
Optional Interface Boards 173
Electrical Connections 177
Interfaces 179
Setting the 8-bit Configuration Switch (without On-board) LAN 185
13 Appendix 191
General Safety Information 192
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 195
Batteries Information 196
Radio Interference 197
Sound Emission 198
Agilent Technologies on Internet 199

8 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
Contents

9
1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
Agilent Technologies
1
Introduction
Introduction to the Pump 10
Overview of the Hydraulic Path 11
Hydraulic Path 12
How Does the Pump Work? 12
How Does Compressibility Compensation Work? 15
How Does Variable Stroke Volume Work? 15
Early Maintenance Feedback 16
Instrument Layout 17
This chapter gives an introduction to the module, instrument overview and
internal connectors.

10 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
1Introduction
Introduction to the Pump
Introduction to the Pump
The quaternary pump comprises an optional solvent cabinet, a vacuum
degasser and a four-channel gradient pump. The four-channel gradient pump
comprises a high-speed proportioning valve and a pump assembly. It provides
gradient generation by low pressure mixing. A solvent cabinet provides
enough space for four one-liter bottles. An active seal wash (optional) is
available when the quaternary pump is used with concentrated buffer
solutions.
Figure 1 Overview of the Quaternary Pump
Pump head
Purge valve
Passive inlet valve
MCGV
Degasser
Outlet valve

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 11
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
The quaternary pump is based on a two-channel, dual-piston in-series design
which comprises all essential functions that a solvent delivery system has to
fulfill. Metering of solvent and delivery to the high-pressure side are
performed by one pump assembly which can generate pressure up to 400 bar.
Degassing of the solvents is done in a built-in vacuum degasser. Solvent
compositions are generated on the low-pressure side by a multi-channel
gradient valve (MCGV), which is a high-speed proportioning valve.
The pump assembly includes a pump head with a passive inlet valve and an
outlet valve. A damping unit is connected between the two piston chambers. A
purge valve including a PTFE frit is fitted at the pump outlet for convenient
priming of the pump head.
An optional seal wash function is available for applications using
concentrated buffers as solvents.

12 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
1Introduction
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
Hydraulic Path
Figure 2 Hydraulic Path of the Quaternary Pump
How Does the Pump Work?
In the quaternary pump, the liquid runs from the solvent reservoir through the
degasser to the MCGV and from there to the inlet valve.
The pump assembly comprises two substantially identical piston/chamber
units. Both piston/chamber units comprise a ball-screw drive and a pump
head with one sapphire piston for reciprocating movement in it.
A servo-controlled variable reluctance motor drives the two ball screw drives
in opposite directions. The gears for the ball-screw drives have different
circumferences (ratio 2:1) allowing the first piston to move at twice the speed
of the second piston. The solvent enters the pump head close to the bottom
limit and leaves it at its top. The outer diameter of the piston is smaller than
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1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 13
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
the inner diameter of the pump head chamber allowing the solvent to fill the
gap inbetween. The first piston has a stroke volume in the range of 20 – 100 µL
depending on the flow rate. The microprocessor controls all flow rates in a
range of 1 µL/min – 10 mL/min. The inlet of the first pumping unit is
connected to the passive inlet valve.
The outlet of the first piston/chamber unit is connected through the outlet
valve and the damping unit to the inlet of the second piston/chamber unit. The
outlet of the purge valve assembly is then connected to the following
chromatographic system.
Figure 3 Principle of the Pump
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14 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
1Introduction
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
When turned on, the pump runs through an initialization procedure to
determine the upper dead position of the first piston. The first piston moves
slowly upwards into the mechanical stop of the pump chamber and from there
it moves back for a defined distance. The controller stores this piston position
in memory. After this initialization the pump starts operation with the set
parameters. The passive inlet valve opens and the down-moving piston draws
solvent into the first pump chamber. At the same time the second piston
moves upwards delivering to the system. After a controller-defined stroke
length that depends on the flow rate the drive motor is stopped and the
passive inlet valve closes. The motor direction is reversed and moves the first
piston up until it reaches the stored upper limit and at the same time the
second piston moves downwards. Then the sequence starts again moving the
pistons up and down between the two limits. During the up movement of the
first piston the solvent in the pump chamber is pressed through the outlet
valve into the second pump chamber. The second piston draws in half of the
volume displaced by the first piston and the remaining half volume is directly
delivered to the system. During the drawing stroke of the first piston, the
second piston delivers the drawn volume to the system.
For solvent compositions from the solvent bottles A, B, C, D the controller
divides the length of the intake stroke in certain fractions in which the
gradient valve connects the specified solvent channel to the pump input.
For specifications of the quaternary pump, see “Performance
Specifications” on page 24.
Table 1 Materials in contact with mobile phase
MCGV SST, PTFE
Pump head SST, gold, sapphire, ceramic
Passive inlet valve SST, gold, sapphire, ruby, ceramic, PTFE
Outlet valve SST, gold, sapphire, ruby
Adapter SST, gold
Purge valve SST, gold, PTFE, ceramic, PEEK
Damping unit Gold, SST
Degasser chamber TFE/PDD Copolymer, FEP, PEEK, PPS

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 15
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
How Does Compressibility Compensation Work?
The compressibility of the solvents in use will affect retention-time stability
when the back pressure in the system changes (for example, ageing of
column). In order to minimize this effect, the pump provides a compressibility
compensation feature which optimizes the flow stability according to the
solvent type. The compressibility compensation is set to a default value and
can be changed through the user interface.
Without a compressibility compensation the following will happen during a
stroke of the first piston. The pressure in the piston chamber increases and
the volume in the chamber will be compressed depending on back pressure
and solvent type. The volume displaced into the system will be reduced by the
compressed volume.
With a compressibility value set the processor calculates a compensation
volume, that depends on the back pressure of the system and the selected
compressibility. This compensation volume will be added to the normal stroke
volume and compensates the previously described loss of volume during the
delivery stroke of the first piston.
How Does Variable Stroke Volume Work?
Due to the compression of the pump-chamber volume each piston stroke of the
pump will generate a small pressure pulsation, influencing the flow stability of
the pump. The amplitude of the pressure pulsation depends mainly on the
stroke volume and the compressibility compensation for the solvent in use.
Small stroke volumes generate pressure pulsations of smaller amplitude than
higher stroke volumes at the same flow rate. In addition, the frequency of the
pressure pulsations is higher. This decreases the influence of flow pulsations
on quantitative results.
In gradient mode smaller stroke volumes result in a lower flow ripple improve
composition ripple.
The module uses a processor-controlled spindle system for driving its pistons.
The normal stroke volume is optimized for the selected flow rate. Small flow
rates use a small stroke volume while higher flow rates use a higher stroke
volume.
By default, the stroke volume for the pump is set to AUTO mode. This means
that the stroke is optimized for the flow rate in use. A change to larger stroke
volumes is possible but not recommended.

16 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
1Introduction
Early Maintenance Feedback
Early Maintenance Feedback
Maintenance requires the exchange of components which are subject to wear
or stress. Ideally, the frequency at which components are exchanged should be
based on the intensity of usage of the module and the analytical conditions,
and not on a predefined time interval. The early maintenance feedback (EMF)
feature monitors the usage of specific components in the instrument, and
provides feedback when the user-selectable limits have been exceeded. The
visual feedback in the user interface provides an indication that maintenance
procedures should be scheduled.
EMF Counters
EMF counters increment with use and can be assigned a maximum limit which
provides visual feedback in the user interface when the limit is exceeded.
Some counters can be reset to zero after the required maintenance procedure.
Using the EMF Counters
The user-settable EMF limits for the EMF Counters enable the early maintenance
feedback to be adapted to specific user requirements. The useful maintenance
cycle is dependent on the requirements for use. Therefore, the definition of the
maximum limits need to be determined based on the specific operating
conditions of the instrument.
Setting the EMF Limits
The setting of the EMF limits must be optimized over one or two maintenance
cycles. Initially the default EMF limits should be set. When instrument
performance indicates maintenance is necessary, take note of the values
displayed by the EMF counters. Enter these values (or values slightly less than
the displayed values) as EMF limits, and then reset the EMF counters to zero.
The next time the EMF counters exceed the new EMF limits, the EMF flag will be
displayed, providing a reminder that maintenance needs to be scheduled.

1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual 17
Introduction 1
Instrument Layout
Instrument Layout
The industrial design of the module incorporates several innovative features.
It uses Agilent’s E-PAC concept for the packaging of electronics and
mechanical assemblies. This concept is based upon the use of expanded
polypropylene (EPP) layers of foam plastic spacers in which the mechanical
and electronic boards components of the module are placed. This pack is then
housed in a metal inner cabinet which is enclosed by a plastic external
cabinet. The advantages of this packaging technology are:
•virtual elimination of fixing screws, bolts or ties, reducing the number of
components and increasing the speed of assembly/disassembly,
•the plastic layers have air channels molded into them so that cooling air can
be guided exactly to the required locations,
•the plastic layers help cushion the electronic and mechanical parts from
physical shock, and
•the metal inner cabinet shields the internal electronics from
electromagnetic interference and also helps to reduce or eliminate radio
frequency emissions from the instrument itself.

18 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
1Introduction
Instrument Layout

19
1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
Agilent Technologies
2
Site Requirements and Specifications
Site Requirements 20
Physical Specifications 23
Performance Specifications 24
This chapter provides information on environmental requirements, physical and
performance specifications.

20 1260 Infinity QuatPump VL User Manual
2Site Requirements and Specifications
Site Requirements
Site Requirements
A suitable environment is important to ensure optimal performance of the
instrument.
Power Considerations
The module power supply has wide ranging capability. It accepts any line
voltage in the range described in Table 2 on page 23. Consequently there is no
voltage selector in the rear of the module. There are also no externally
accessible fuses, because automatic electronic fuses are implemented in the
power supply.
WARNING
Hazard of electrical shock or damage of your instrumentation
can result, if the devices are connected to a line voltage higher than specified.
➔Connect your instrument to the specified line voltage only.
WARNING
The module is partially energized when switched off, as long as the power cord is
plugged in.
Repair work at the module can lead to personal injuries, e.g. electrical shock, when
the cover is opened and the module is connected to power.
➔Always unplug the power cable before opening the cover.
➔Do not connect the power cable to the instrument while the covers are removed.