Knauer AZURA User manual

Nano Flow Cell
Supplement
Document no. V6717A
T1_A6_Supplement_EN.ai 1 21.01.2019 13:39:25

Note: Please read the corresponding technical documenta-
tion for handling and safety reasons.
Technical Support:
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Languages: German, English
Publisher:
KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH
Hegauer Weg 38
D-14163 Berlin
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Internet: www.knauer.net
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Version information:
Article number: V6717A
Version number: 2.0
Last update: 2019/01/21
The information in this document is subject to change without prior notice.
For latest version of the document, check our website:
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Copyright:
© KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH 2019. All rights reserved.
AZURA® is a registered trademark of KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte
GmbH.

Table of contents
1. Product information ............................................................... 1
2. Installation............................................................................... 1
3. Maintenance ........................................................................... 3
3.1 Routine maintenance tasks ....................................... 3
3.2 Cleaning the flow cell ................................................ 3
3.3 Cleaning fibre optic ends.......................................... 4
3.4 Storage........................................................................ 4
4. Troubleshooting ..................................................................... 5
5. Technical data ......................................................................... 5
6. Repeat orders.......................................................................... 6

Installation 1
AZURA® Nano Flow Cell Supplement, V6717A
1. Product information
The KNAUER nano flow cell with fiber optic connectors combined
with KNAUER AZURA® UV detectors is the perfect choice for UV
monitoring at low flow rates, particularly in connection with an MS
detector.
Location in system: The flow cell can be located directly behind
the column in order to minimalize extra column volume and
consequently improve peak shape.
Compatible detectors: This nano flow cell is compatible with the
following KNAUER fiber optic version detectors:
AZURA® UVD 2.1S, UVD 2.1L, DAD 6.1L, DAD 2.1L, MWD 2.1L
Smartline 2520 and 2600.
Biocompatibility: As all wetted parts are biocompatible, the flow
cells are suitable for LC and Bio LC applications.
2. Installation
Note: Before connecting the flow cell to your system, flush
your column with mobile phase to keep your flow cell clean.
Process and figure
1. Unpack the flow cell.
2. Remove the protective hoods from the flow cell’s fiber
optic connectors 1.
3. Remove the protective hoods from the fiber optic cables.
4. Connect the detector and flow cell via fiber optic cables.
5. Connect the capillaries to the flow cell 2.

2 Installation
AZURA® Nano Flow Cell Supplement, V6717A
Process and figure
Protective hoods: Keep the protective hoods for storage purpo-
ses. The hoods protect the fiber optic connectors from contamina-
tion and solarization.
Fiber optics: Observe the following regarding the use of fiber
optics:
•Do not touch the ends of the fiber optics with your fingers, as
this could falsify the measurement and aect the flow cell
performance.
•Handle the fiber optics with care, avoid impacts or hard
actions.
•Move the fiber optics carefully without using pressure or
bending it.
1
2

Maintenance 3
AZURA® Nano Flow Cell Supplement, V6717A
Component defect
The capillaries are brittle and can get damaged.
Handle the capillaries with care.
Flow cells with damaged capillaries must be replaced (no repair pos-
sible)
3. Maintenance
3.1 Routine maintenance tasks
In order to obtain optimal performance, minimal routine mainte-
nance of the flow cell is required.
•It is very important to flush buered mobile phase out of the
flow cell each time the system is shut down. This safeguards
the flow cell from clogging.
•Filtered and degassed mobile phase is recommended in
order to reduce baseline noise and drift, decrease fluctuati-
ons of the system pressure and prolong operating life of the
column.
•Make sure fiber optic ends are clean. Never touch the ends
with your fingers as this could lead to contamination which
reduces the performance of the flow cell (intensity, wave-
length accuracy). Should this occur however, clean with a
lens cloth moistened with alcohol or a cotton swab.
•Use methanol, ethanol or isopropanol to fill the flow cell to
prevent microbial growth when the flow cell is not in use (see
“Storage” on page 5).

4 Maintenance
AZURA® Nano Flow Cell Supplement, V6717A
3.2 Cleaning the flow cell
The contamination of the flow cell can lead to:
•decreased light intensity
•increased baseline noise and drift
•calibration failure
Therefore, the flow cell should be periodically flushed or cleaned.
The following solvents are recommended for cleaning:
•pure water (when using buers)
•ethanol or methanol
Note: When the mobile phase is not mixabe in water, you
can use an intermediary solvent (e.g. isopropanol) before
resuming flow.
3.3 Cleaning fibre optic ends
Never touch fiber optic ends with your fingers as this could lead to
contamination which reduces the performance of the flow cell
(intensity, wavelength accuracy). Should this occur however, clean
with a lens cloth moistened with alcohol or a cotton swab.
Eye injury
Eye irritation by UV light. Bundled UV light can escape from the flow
cell or fiber optic cables.

Before replacing the flow cell, switch o the detector and disconnect it
from the power supply.

Troubleshooting 5
AZURA® Nano Flow Cell Supplement, V6717A
3.4 Storage
Note: Never store the flow cell in pure water to prevent
microbial growth.
Process
1. Flush the flow cell with an appropriate solvent.
2. Disconnect the capillaries.
3. Disconnect the fiber optic cables.
4. Seal the fiber optic connectors and cables with hoods.
4. Troubleshooting
Problem Possible cause and solution
Increased flow
cell back pressure
Pressure due to dirty flow cell: clean
flow cell
Leak Leak due to overpressure: reduce flow
Leak due to damaged flow cell: flow
cell must be replaced (no repair
possible)
Increased
baseline noise/
sensitivity
Contamination due to dirty flow cell:
clean flow cell
Contamination due to dirty fiber optic
ends: clean fiber optic ends

6 Repeat orders
AZURA® Nano Flow Cell Supplement, V6717A
5. Technical data
Parameter Value
Path length 3 mm
Capillary connection 375 µm OD
Flow cell volume 6 nl
Inner diameter 50 µm
Maximum flow rate 1 µl/min
Maximum pressure 300 bar
Wetted parts Fused silica
6. Repeat orders
Name Order no.
KNAUER Nano Flow Cell, 3 mm, 6 nl A4104
2 x fiber optic cables, 750 mm A0740
2 x fiber optic cables, custom made length A0743

Latest KNAUER instructions online:
https://www.knauer.net/en/Support/User-manuals
KNAUER
Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH
Hegauer Weg 38
14163 Berlin
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.knauer.net
© KNAUER 2019