Experiences with several HPLC systems
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:32 am
by LCFlo
Hello
We have veeery old HPLC systems and we should perform a design qualification before buying new ones.
So I would like you to ask if you could write me about your good and bad experiences with different HPLC systems (Agilent, waters...) in pharmaceutical analysis (detector performance, software, robustness etc.).
Thank you very much for your feedback
Florian
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 2:25 pm
by DR
Basic things to consider in choosing a vendor & their equipment...
1) How important is service to you? If you have tons of in-house expertise and people who are willing to come work on your system at the drop of a hat, this won't apply to you. If you do not have theses luxuries, service will be very important. How close is the nearest rep? How large is the territory you are in? How fast will they come?
2) Are your preferences for high or low pressure mixing? Binary pump systems tend to allow for little or no outgassing of mobile phases because they mix under high pressure. They are also a little more flexible in that you can stiull run isocratically even if a pump is down. Single pump systems use proportioning valves and mix on the low pressure side of a single pump. The benefit is that you tend to get lower noise due to pulsation in your baseline, but you may occasionally get a bubble is the system unless your active degasser is decent.
3) Are you developing methods, or running lots of samples in a Quality setting? Shimadzu and other vendors besides Agilent & Waters offer systems with larger sample capacities and faster injection cycles.
4) What data system will you be using? Some data systems offer instrument control of other vendors' wares while others do not. Some DADs work with certain data systems better than others.
5) What do your people know? If you have several people, their level of familiarity with whatever you want to purchase will impact the length of time to "productive data generation".