Chromatography Forum

Our lab has a Hitachi L-4500A DAD that is going to be part of an LC that also contains:

A Shimadzu RF10-AXL fluorescence detector

An HP 1050 series pump

A Thermo Separations AS3500 autosampler

Any advice on a Chromatography Data system to drive this setup? We have investigated Chromeleon, EZChrom Elite, PowerChrom, and Clarity. The problem seems be the Hitachi instrument; it only has an HPIB connection, with no other data output (such as analog). It does come with some rather old data collection software, but we would prefer to control all the equipment from one package. Any recommendations?

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A computer with ChemStation can handle the detectors with an added A/D convertor circuit board or box, 35900 series; we have several of those to accept data from various detectors. About controlling the autosampler: I don't know, that would seem to be the biggest question to me. maybe an expert can comment.

coordination;

you basically have the best recipe for troubles.
a module for each vendor is the best way for ever having your hands full.

even if it looks like this is going to be the chepeast solution, after 2 years you will probably find yourself spending time and money for support and service and most probably will never fully use your "frankenstein"

there is only one software that i know of that can control your hitachi DAD and it is the old HSM software.
it will be of no use to you i believe because back in the end of the 90's it was found to have a serious bug for 3D peak purity and spectral library analyses.
it basically does not do it correctly. it was never fixed because FDA came out then with the 21 cfr part 11 requirements and Hitachi decided to use ezchrom. by making this decision it also decided to leave out the support for all "Lichrograph" generation.

the best appraoch is to invest in a new instrument. full warranty, one vendor one support.
the second approach is to get a new DAD that is supported by a software that can fully support the other modules, that will mean one that can be used by Ezchrom or Chromeleon. and hope for a lot of luck

We have an older Shimadzu detector that we could use on the system (it has analog only ports). Maybe that will be the best way to go. I will mention that software problem to the guy who setting up "monster". Could you please elaborate on that software problem?

Thanks,
Aaron

the benefit of a DAD is that you can gather 3D spectral information of the absorbance of your compound.
this can be used in order to perform 2 tests:
peak purity-match factor
spectral library search
in combination they can tell you with good accuracy if your compound is pure or not.
in HSM this feature is bugged. it does not work. whatever you do you will always get a result that the peak is pure, and we have seen totally eranous results.

if you do not need the 3D then it is best to go for a regular UV. your sensitivity will be better and mainly your limit of detection will improve several folds. also the 4500 might be with a 5 mm flow cell, a 10mm can and should be fitted instead.

a shimadzu detector might require that you also get a controller to go with it.
anyway check your expenses.
do you need to service those modules?
the pump will require new seals, maybe a new set of pistons, maybe new filters, maybe a new proportion valve kit.
the autosampler might need a new rotor valve, a new injector port seat, a new syringe tip
the detector might need a new UV lamp.
in each case it will require another technincian from another company, travels+ work hours +parts add that to getting all of them to talk on one software. are you sure it is the cheap alternative? for such a "monster" and all modules are at least 10 years old!?