Waters ACQUITY UPLC H-Class PLUS Bio UHPLC System with PDA and FLR Detectors

Waters ACQUITY UPLC H-Class PLUS Bio System configured for high-performance liquid chromatography and biopharmaceutical bioseparations. Manufactured in 2021, this pre-owned system includes a BioQuaternary Solvent Manager, BioSample Manager-FTN, column management modules, PDA detection, fluorescence detection, a PC with Empower software, and standard system accessories.

The platform is suitable for monoclonal antibody characterization, glycan profiling, peptide mapping, protein heterogeneity analysis, biologics stability studies, and fluorescence-based biomolecule detection. It supports biotechnology workflows including biopharmaceutical production pipelines, molecular characterization, and bioseparation method development.

Included Configuration

• BioQuaternary Solvent Manager ACQ-QSM — REF 186015081, SN E21QBP288M
• BioSample Manager-FTN ACQ-FTN-H with 50 µL sample loop — REF 186015086, SN E21FBP332M
• ACQUITY UPLC Column Manager — REF 186015043, SN C21CMP892G
• ACQUITY UPLC Column Manager AUX — REF 186015049, SN D21CMX201G
• ACQUITY UPLC PDA Detector with analytical flow cell — REF 186015032, SN C21UPD490A
• ACQUITY UPLC FLR Detector with analytical flow cell — REF 186015029, SN F20UPF671G
• PC with Empower software
• Solvent tray, intercommunication cables, and standard power cords

BioQuaternary Solvent Manager

• Blends up to four solvents in any combination.
• Includes integrated vacuum degassing with four chambers.
• Includes one additional chamber for SM-FTN-H purge solvent.
• Supports automated online pH, ionic strength, and organic modifier blending through Auto-Blend Plus Technology.
• Uses low-pressure mixing for quaternary gradient formation.
• Provides 11 gradient curves, including linear, 2 step, 4 concave, and 4 convex curves.
• An optional six-port solvent select valve can expand solvent selection.

BioSample Manager-FTN

• Injection volume range of 0.1 to 10.0 µL as standard.
• Supports volumes up to 1,000.0 µL with optional extension loops, which are not included.
• Includes a 50 µL sample loop.
• Aspiration accuracy: ±0.2 µL, based on 10 µL injections averaged over 20 injections using a standard 100 µL syringe.
• Linearity: ≥0.999 using a standard needle.
• Precision: ≤1% RSD at 0.2 to 1.9 µL, ≤0.5% RSD at 2.0 to 4.9 µL, and ≤0.25% RSD at 5.0 to 100.0 µL.
• Supports 96- and 384-well microtiter plates, vial formats, and microcentrifuge tube plate formats.
• Configured with 2 × 48-position 2.00 mL vial plates.
• Maximum sample capacity of up to 768 samples using two 384-well plates or 96 two-mL vial holders.
• Temperature control range: 4.0 to 40.0 °C, adjustable in 0.1 °C increments.
• Temperature performance: ±0.5 °C accuracy and ±1.0 °C stability at the sensor.
• Includes integrated needle wash, 3 µL low residual volume, and carryover of ≤0.002%.

PDA Detector

• Wavelength range: 190 to 500 nm
• Wavelength accuracy: ±1 nm
• Linearity: deviation at 2.0 AU ≤5%
• Optical resolution: 1.2 nm
• Digital resolution: 0.6 nm/pixel to 500 nm
• Sampling rate: up to 80 points/s
• Light source: deuterium lamp
• Analytical flow cell volume: 500 nL
• Path length: 10 mm
• Flow cell pressure limit: 1,000 psi
• Light-guiding UPLC intelligent technology flow cell design

FLR Detector

• Excitation wavelength range: 200 to 890 nm
• Emission wavelength range: 210 to 900 nm
• Wavelength accuracy: ±3 nm
• Bandwidth: 20 nm
• Wavelength repeatability: ±0.25 nm
• Sensitivity: S/N >1000 using the Raman spectrum of H₂O
• Measurement range: 0.001 to 10,000 EU
• Data acquisition rate: up to 80 Hz
• Axially illuminated flow cell design
• Cell volume: <2 µL
• Flow cell pressure limit: 500 psi

Column Management

• Column capacity of 2 columns with a maximum length of 150 mm when used with a filter or guard column.
• Supports 4 columns using a CM-AUX stacked above a CM-A, with a maximum length of 50 mm and optional tubing kit.
• Supports columns up to 4.6 mm internal diameter.
• Includes two 9-port, 8-position switching valves.
• Provides programmable, automatic, random-access switching with waste and bypass positions.
• Column compartment temperature range: 4.0 to 90.0 °C, adjustable in 0.1 °C increments.
• Provides 2 independent heating and cooling zones per module and up to 6 zones in a stacked configuration.
• Active solvent preheating is standard.

Testing and Condition

The ACQUITY UPLC H-Class PLUS Bio System was tested by an in-house service team. Testing included initialization, software communication, gradient proportioning, seal-wash pump operation, leak sensors, degasser health, pressure limiter operation, flow accuracy, solvent delivery stability, gradient performance, sample handling, syringe leakage, needle seal integrity, reproducibility, column temperature control, detector initialization, calibration, leak testing, and lamp status.

Recorded lamp usage was 44 hours for the PDA detector and 276 hours for the FLR detector. The system is described as fully functional, in good cosmetic condition, serviced, and minimally used.