Knauer Azura GPC User manual

The AZURA® GPC Cleanup System
GPC Cleanup (Gel Permeation Chromatography) is primarily employed for general cleanup tasks on a
wide range of sample matrices such as foodstus, tissues, plants and environmental samples. The separa-
tion of components takes place according to their molecular weight due to the heterogeneous pore size
of the stationary phase. High-molecular substances interfering with subsequent analysis are eciently
removed.
Based on the versatile AZURA® device platform the GPC Cleanup System can be customized to fulfill spe-
cial requirements.
The AZURA® GPC Cleanup System is operated with Mobile Control Chrom. This intuitive user interface is
run on a tablet directly mounted at the system. It automatically recognizes devices and facilitates system
configuration. Due to block programming methods are created fast with minimal number of clicks. Mobile
Control Chrom makes sample loop loading easily manageable by synchronously switching both valves at
the push of a button.
Installation Guide
1
Document No. V50043

System layout
Startup
The GPC Cleanup System is set up, installed and commissioned by KNAUER or a company authorized and
contracted by KNAUER.
For detailed information about the operation of the individual devices, please read the corresponding
chapters in the respective instructions.
Note: KNAUER recommends that future users are present during setup and commissioning of the
module, to familiarize themselves with the GPC Cleanup System and its handling.
The layout of the GPC Cleanup System is depicted in the illustration below. The table lists the included
devices and states their functions in the GPC process. See the last page for information about tubing con-
nections.
Legend Device Function
1Eluent tray Storing eluent bottles
2Assistant I
3Mobile Control Chrom Tablet with device control software
416 Port Mulitposition valve Fractionation
5Manual injection valve Sample loop loading or column bypassing/selection
616 Port Mulitposition valves Sample loop selection
7GPC tubing guide
8Fraction tubing guide Sorting fraction tubings
9Sample loop guide Sorting sample loops
bl Eluent tray Storing sample loops
bm Assistant II
bn Detector Detection
bo Pump Eluent delivering
bp Pressure sensor
bq 6 Port 2 Position valve Column bypassing/selection or sample loop loading
}
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
bl
bm
bn bo
bp
bq

Operating modes
Positions for column bypass / manual injection valve
16 Port Multiposition valve
Inject (2)
Load (1)
6 Port 2 Position valve
1
1
2
2
3
3
44
5
5
6
6
A
B
C
3
Sample loop selection valves / fractionation valve
123
4
16
A. Loading samples
1. Set the injection valve to Load (1) position.
2. Address the sample loop you want to load
(start with position 1) by switching the two sam-
ple loop selection valves.
3. Rinse the sample loop tubing with solvent. Op-
tionally empty tubing by injecting air.
4. Load the individual sample through the injec-
tion port of the injection valve with 3x excess of
the sample loop volume.
5. At the end of sample loop loading, switch the
two sample loop selection valves to the next
position. The loaded loop is now closed.
6. Rinse the tubing and valves with solvent. Optio-
nally empty tubing by injecting air.
7. Repeat procedure for all required sample
loops.
8. After sample loop loading: Switch the two
sample loop selection valves to waste (position
16 with short tubing) and rinse with solvent to
remove air.
Note: For each loading, make sure that the
same position is set for both sample loop se-
lection valves. If both valves are not switched
simultaneously, the flow must be stopped.
Otherwise strong pressure spikes can occur
and may cause the pump to stop.
Note: To prevent air bubbles to enter the
sample loop do not remove the syringe
before switching both sample loop selection
valves to next or washing position (position
16 with short tubing).
B. Equilibrating column
Before the sample cleanup the GPC column has to
be equilibrated with the desired eluent. Procedure:
1. Set the injection valve to Load position.
2. Set column bypass valve to Inject position to
integrate the column into the flow.
3. Switch fractionation valve to designated Waste
position.
Note: It is suggested for the column equilibrating
step to use position 16 of the fractionation valve
as waste.
C. Running the GPC
After sample loops have been filled, the samples
are processed one after the other. Procedure:
1. Set the injection valve to Inject position.
2. Select the individual sample loops by setting
the two sample loop selection valves.
3. Set the column bypass valve to Inject position
to integrate the column into the flow.
4. Switch the fractionation valve to collect frac-
tions.

Tubing connections
Legend
from eluent bottle via pump to pressure sensor
from pressure sensor via manual injection valve (6 Port 2 Position valve)
to sample loop selection valves (16 Port Multiposition valves)
from manual injection valve via column bypass valve (6 Port 2 Position
valve) and column to detector
from detector via fractionation valve (16 Port Multiposition valve)
to fraction bottle
to waste bottle
After installation of single devices according to their respective manual the GPC system ist set up. Lastly,
tubings are connected with the system as highlighted in dierent colours.
Damage to Tefzel® capillary may occur when certain parts are used which are not suitable with Tefzel®. Do
not use stainless steel ferrule 1/16” in combination with stainless steel fitting 12 mm UNF10/32 on Tefzel®
tubings, though both parts are included in the Accessory Kit for 6-Port/3-Channel Injection Valve (order
number F1357).
Component defect
This document is subject to technical changes. Please go to www.knauer.net
for latest version, ordering details and overview of article numbers.
Note: The inlet tubing of the AZURA® Pump P 4.1S included in FPGA is too short for the AZURA® GPC
Cleanup System. Use a longer inlet tubing included in A50041.
Note: In case of a fluctuating detector signal which results from degassing in the flow cell, use a tubing
with a low inner diameter of 0.25 mm between detector and fractionation valve.
4
© KNAUER
All rights reserved.
Version 2.0
Last update: 2017-09-27
KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH
Hegauer Weg 38
14163 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.knauer.net
Note: Depending on your preferences, the manual valve and electrical 6 Port 2 Position valve can be
exchanged to function as column bypassing/selection and sample injection.