4Smart UHPLC pumps - Plug & play head design for high precision,
easy use and simple maintenance
How do you guarantee that a UHPLC pump not only works
accurately, but is also easy to operate and maintain? By smartly
designing the device from A to Z. Like the SPH1299TM and SPH1299QTM
UHPLC pumps from Spark Holland. Precision equipment that can
be used plug & play. Time and again. To work quickly and reliably
and increase the up time of the pump.
Setting up, operating, and maintaining a UHPLC pump is work for
specialists. They must be able to tackle a variety of issues, such as:
how do you prevent air bubbles from interfering with proper pump
operation? How do you set the right settings to ensure reliable test
results? How do you perform fast and proper maintenance without
having to recalibrate? And so on.
Spark Holland answers such questions by taking into account the needs
and requirements of everyone working with UHPLC pumps, including the
maintenance engineer. Therefore, the SPH1299TM and SPH1299QTM UHPLC
pumps have a smart and plug & play design with automatic functions
for outstanding accuracy, easy and trouble-free operation and simple
maintenance. This article sets out some of these innovative techniques
and their considerable impact.
Accurate flow rate
A pump must maintain a constant flow of mobile phase through the
UHPLC system, regardless of the back pressure. However, air bubbles
can accumulate in the pump chamber and, if they build up, disrupt the
flow rate and cause pressure fluctuations and retention time shifts. To
prevent this, Spark Holland applies smart flow path design of the pump
chamber, causing less problems with trapped air. By integrating the
pressure sensor membrane into the flow path, it does not form an
obstacle in the pump chamber and there are no dead volumes where
air can accumulate. Thus, the flow rates of the SPH1299TM and
SPH1299QTM UHPLC pumps remain constant and stable.
Easy use
To get a UHPLC system up and running, many manual settings are
required. For example, with the HPLC pump alone, the user must set the
flow rate and gradient himself. Setting all these variables is time
consuming and entails the unnecessary risk of errors. That’s why Spark
Holland aims to automate functions where possible to avoid mistakes.
Solvent compressibility is an important variable, which varies from
one fluid to another and therefore must be set manually with some
manufacturers. In contrast, the SPH1299TM and SPH1299QTM UHPLC
pumps calculate themselves what liquid the pump contains and
automatically, in milliseconds, what the compressibility is (truly
automatic compressibility calculation) and adjust the piston speed
to deliver the correct flow rate to the system. This allows the user to
skip one setting, avoid an incorrect compressibility and suffice with
setting the flow rate. >
4
Quick and easy maintenance
Maintaining a UHPLC system requires special, technical expertise. Many
components, such as the seal and piston, eventually need replacement,
sometimes yearly. Replacing such parts is very time consuming with
some manufacturers; some even require you to send in the pump head
in exchange for a refurbished pump head, to replace the sealing.
Spark Holland takes a smarter approach. The pump heads of the
SPH1299TM and SPH1299QTM UHPLC pumps have been designed to
facilitate easy disassembly and seal exchange. No need to remove
covers or take the pump out of the UHPLC stack. No need, also, for
expensive exchange of entire pump head/drive assemblies! Simply
disconnect the pump head from its drive by loosening 2 screws,
remove the piston and replace the seal. Thanks to the dismountable
design, parts replacement can take place in a matter of minutes and
recalibration is not necessary! This saves a lot of time and improves the
up time significantly.
Real-time monitoring
In addition, Spark Holland also makes maintenance easier by
monitoring the sensors in the pump in real-time. All sensor data are
read out at 1,000 Hz, such as the pressure and the position of the piston.
The data is stored in the pump and can be read out online or offline.
This functionality is very useful for troubleshooting and can save a lot
of maintenance time (on site). •
Watch the video about the SPH1299TM pump here.
Smart UHPLC pumps - Plug & play head design for high precision,
easy use and simple maintenance
> Watch the video
