Agilent Technologies 1200 series User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent 1200 Series
Quaternary Pump
User Manual
1200 Series Quarternary P ump User Manual

1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
Notices
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2008
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Manual Part Number
G1311-90011
Edition
11/08
Printed in Germany
Agilent Technologies
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76337 Waldbronn
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Not for use in Diagnostic Procedures.
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hazard. It calls attention to an
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stood and met.

1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 3
Contents
Contents
1 Introduction 7
Introduction to the Quaternary Pump 8
Overview of the Hydraulic Path 9
Instrument Layout 16
The Electronics 17
Electrical Connections 18
Agilent 1200 Series Interfaces 20
2 Site Requirements and Specifications 21
Site Requirements 22
Physical Specifications 25
Performance Specifications 26
3 Installing the Pump 29
Unpacking the Quaternary Pump 30
Optimizing the Stack Configuration 33
Installing the Quaternary Pump 36
Connecting Modules and Control Software 39
Flow Connections of the Quaternary Pump 41
Priming and Purging the System 44
4UsingtheQuaternaryPump 49
Hints for Successful Use of the Quaternary Pump 50
Solvent Information 51
Prevent Blocking of Solvent Filters 52
Algae Growth in HPLC Systems 53
5 Optimizing Performance 55
Operational Hints for the Vacuum Degasser 56
Operational Hints for the Multi Channel Gradient Valve (MCGV) 57
When to use the Seal Wash Option 58
When to Use Alternative Seals 59

4 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
Contents
Optimize the Compressibility Compensation Setting 60
6 Troubleshooting and Test Funct io ns 63
Agilent Lab Advisor Software 64
Overview of the Pump’s Indicators and Test Functions 65
Status Indicators 66
User Interfaces 68
7 Maintenance 69
Introduction to Repairing the Pump 70
Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF) 73
Overview of Repairing the Pump 75
Simple Repairs 77
8 Parts and Materials for Maintenance 105
Overview of Main Assemblies 106
Pump Head Assembly 110
Pump Head Assembly with Seal Wash Option 112
Outlet Ball Valve Assembly 114
Purge Valve Assembly 115
Active Inlet Valve Assembly 116
Accessory Kit G1311-68705 117
Seal Wash Option Kit G1311-68711 118
9 Identifying Cables 119
Cable Overview 120
Analog Cables 122
Remote Cables 125
BCD Cables 130
External Contact Cable 132
CAN/LAN Cables 133
Auxiliary Cable 134
RS-232 Cables 135
10 Appendix 137
General Safety Information 138

1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 5
Contents
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
(2002/96/EC) 141
Lithium Batteries Information 142
Radio Interference 143
Sound Emission 144
Agilent Technologies on Internet 145

6 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
Contents

7
1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
Agilent Technologies
1
Introduction
Introduction to the Quaternary Pump 8
Overview of the Hydraulic Path 9
How Does the Pump Work? 11
How Does Compressibility Compensation Work? 14
How Does Variable Stroke Volume Work? 14
Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF) 15
Instrument Layout 16
The Electronics 17
Electrical Connections 18
Agilent 1200 Series Interfaces 20

8 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
Introduction to the Quaternary Pump
Introduction to the Quaternary Pump
The quaternary pump comprises a 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. Degassing is a must for a low-pressure
gradient system therefore the Agilent 1200 Series vacuum degasser is part of
the quaternary pump system. 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
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1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 9
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
The quaternary pump is based on a two-channel, dual plunger 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 vacuum degasser and solvent
compositions are generated on the low-pressure side by a high-speed
proportioning valve.
The pump assembly includes a pump head with an active inlet valve which has
an replaceable cartridge, and an outlet valve. A damping unit is connected
between the two plunger chambers. A purge valve including a PTFE frit is
fitted at the pump outlet for convenient priming of the pump head.
An active seal wash (optional) is available when the quaternary pump is used
with concentrated buffer solutions.

10 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
Figure 2 Hydraulic Path of the Quaternary Pump
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1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 11
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
How Does the Pump Work?
The liquid runs from the solvent reservoir through the degasser to the MCGV
and from there to the active inlet valve. The pump assembly comprises two
substantially identical plunger/chamber units. Both plunger/chamber units
comprise a ball-screw drive and a pump head with one sapphire plunger 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 plunger to move at twice the speed
of the second plunger. The solvent enters the pump head close to the bottom
limit and leaves it at its top. The outer diameter of the plunger is smaller than
the inner diameter of the pump head chamber allowing the solvent to fill the
gap in between. The first plunger 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–10 ml/min. The inlet of the first plunger/chamber unit is
connected to the active inlet valve which is processor-controlled opened or
closed allowing solvent to be drawn into the first plunger pump unit.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 plunger to move at twice the speed of the second plunger.
The solvent enters the pump head close to the bottom limit and leaves it at its
top. The outer diameter of the plunger is smaller than the inner diameter of
the pump head chamber allowing the solvent to fill the gap in between.
The outlet of the first plunger/chamber unit is connected through the outlet
ball valve and the damping unit to the inlet of the second plunger/chamber
unit. The outlet of the purge valve assembly is then connected to the following
chromatographic system.

12 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
Figure 3 Principle of the Pump
When turned on, the quaternary pump runs through an initialization
procedure to determine the upper dead center of the first plunger. The first
plunger moves slowly upwards into the mechanical stop of chamber and from
there it moves back a predetermined path length. The controller stores this
plunger position in memory. After this initialization the quaternary pump
starts operation with the set parameters. The active inlet valve is opened and
the down-moving plunger draws solvent into the first chamber. At the same
time the second plunger is moving upwards delivering into the system. After a
controller-defined stroke length (depending on the flow rate) the drive motor
is stopped and the active inlet valve is closed. The motor direction is reversed
and moves the first plunger up until it reaches the stored upper limit and at
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1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 13
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
the same time moving the second plunger downwards. Then the sequence
starts again moving the plungers up and down between the two limits. During
the up movement of the first plunger the solvent in the chamber is pressed
through the outlet ball valve into the second chamber. The second plunger
draws in half of the volume displaced by the first plunger and the remaining
half volume is directly delivered into the system. During the drawing stroke of
the first plunger, the second plunger delivers the drawn volume into 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 quaternary pump specifications, see “Site Requirements and
Specifications” on page 21.
Table 1 Pump Details
Delay volume 800–1100 µl, dependent on back pressure
Materials in contact with mobile phase
DCGV PTFE
Pump head SST, gold, sapphire, ceramic
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

14 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
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 plunger. The pressure in the plunger chamber increases and
the volume in the chamber will be compressed depending on backpressure 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 is depending on the backpressure in the system and the selected
compressibility. This compensation volume will be added to the normal stroke
volume and compensates the previous described loss of volume during the
delivery stroke of the first plunger.
How Does Variable Stroke Volume Work?
Due to the compression of the pump-chamber volume each plunger stroke of
the pump will generate a small pressure pulsation, influencing the flow ripple
of the pump. The amplitude of the pressure pulsation is mainly dependent on
the stroke volume and the compressibility compensation for the solvent in use.
Small stroke volumes will generate pressure pulsations of smaller amplitude
than higher stroke volumes at same flow rates. In addition the frequency of the
pressure pulsations will be higher. This will decrease the influence of flow
pulsations on quantitative results.
In gradient mode smaller stroke volumes resulting in less flow ripple will
improve composition ripple.
The module uses a processor-controlled spindle system to drive its plungers.
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.

1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 15
Introduction 1
Overview of the Hydraulic Path
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.
Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF)
The early maintenance feedback (EMF) feature monitors the usage of specific
components in the instrument, and provides feedback when the user-settable
limits have been exceeded. The visual feedback in the user interface provides
an indication that maintenance procedures should be scheduled.
For details on EMF counters and how to use them, see Agilent Lab Advisor.

16 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
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 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.

1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 17
Introduction 1
The Electronics
The Electronics
The electronics are comprised of four main components:
•The low pressure pump main board (LPM).
•Power supply.
Optional:
•Interface board (BCD/external contacts).
•LAN Communication Card.
Low-Pressure Pump Main Board (LPM)
The board controls all information and activities of all assemblies within the
module. The operator enters parameters, changes modes and controls the
module through interfaces (CAN, GPIB or RS-232C) connected to the
user-interfaces.
The Main Power Supply Assembly
The main power supply comprises a closed assembly (no component-level
repair possibility). The power supply provides all DC voltages used in the
module. The line voltage can vary in a range from 100 – 120 or 220 – 240 volts
AC ± 10 % and needs no manual setting.
Optional Interface Boards
The Agilent 1200 Series modules have one optional board slot that allows to
add an interface board to the modules. Optional interface boards for the
Agilent 1200 Series are:
•BCD Board
•LAN Communication Card

18 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
Electrical Connections
Electrical Connections
•The GPIB connector is used to connect the pump with a computer. The
address and control switch module next to the GPIB connector determines
the GPIB address of your pump. The switches are preset to a default
address (“Agilent 1200 Series Interfaces” on page 20). This address is
recognized at powercycling the module.
•The CAN bus is a serial bus with high speed data transfer. The two
connectors for the CAN bus are used for internal Agilent 1200 Series
module data transfer and synchronization.
•One analog output provides a pressure signal for integrators or data
handling systems.
•The interface board slot is used for external contacts and BCD bottle
number output or LAN connections.
•The REMOTE connector may be used in combination with other analytical
instruments from Agilent Technologies if you want to use features such as
start, stop, common shut down, prepare, and so on.
•With the appropriate software, the RS-232C connector may be used to
control the module from a computer through a RS-232C connection. See
your software documentation for further information.
•The power input socket accepts a line voltage of 100–120 or 220–240 volts
AC ± 10% with a line frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. Maximum power
consumption is 220 VA. There is no voltage selector on your module because
the power supply has wide-ranging capability. There are no externally
accessible fuses, because automatic electronic fuses are implemented in the
power supply. The security lever at the power input socket prevents the
module cover from being taken off when line power is still connected.

1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual 19
Introduction 1
Electrical Connections
Figure 4 Rear View of Pump - Electrical Connections and Label
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20 1200 Series Quarternary Pump User Manual
1Introduction
Agilent 1200 Series Interfaces
Agilent 1200 Series Interfaces
The Agilent 1200 Series modules provide the following interfaces:
Table 2 Agilent 1200 Series Interfaces
Interface Type Pumps Autosampler DA Detector
MW Detector
FL Detector
VW Detector
RI Detector
Thermostatted
Column
Compartment
Vacuum
Degasser
CAN Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
GPIB Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N o
RS-232C Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
APG Remote Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Analog Yes No 2 × 1 × No Yes1
Interface board2Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
1The vacuum degasser will have a special connector for specific use. For details, see the degasser manual.
2The interface board slot (not common to all modules) provides specific interfacing needs (external con-
tacts, BCD, LAN and so on).