Pickering Laboratories Pinnacle PCX - Page 67

4.15
Section 4
Pinnacle PcX OPeratiOn
Pinnacle Operators Manual
Pickering Laboratories Inc.
Create sequence for Pinnacle PCX using your post-column method(s). Set up the same number of runs as in the
HPLC sequence.
Select Save to save Pinnacle PCX sequence.
Select Load to load Pinnacle PCX sequence. Sequence name and the first method name will appear in the status
bar at the bottom of the Pinnacle PCX software.
Select Control – Enable to turn column and reactor heaters ON. Set and actual temperatures will be
displayed on the heaters icons. Wait until the actual temperature reaches the set point.
Select Control – Flush both pumps if this is the first run after the installation or if the instrument was not in
use for a long time.
Select Control – Refill Pump(s) to fill pumps with reagent. Empty pumps first if there is any old reagent left
or if instrument was turned OFF earlier. The pump icon should show partially filled syringe and actual volume
of reagent inside (Figure 4-6).
NOTE: If the instrument was turned OFF with partially filled pumps the icons will show alternated black and
white segments and no volume data will be displayed. This means that the instrument does not know the
position of the piston inside the syringe. Select Control – Empty Pump(s). This will allow Pinnacle PCX to
find empty position.
Once reactor and column temperatures are stable and analytical column is equilibrated select Control – Both
pumps ON (or Pump ON for single-pump instrument) to start pumping reagents. Wait until the pressures are
stable.
NOTE: Pinnacle PCX software will calculate needed reagent volume based on your run time and reagent flow
rate. Some extra volume will be added to that to ensure pumps will not run out of reagent during operation. Do
not run pumps for more then 5 min before starting the sequence to avoid running out during the analysis.
Select Sequence – Start Sequence. Run time (0.0) will be displayed in the Status Bar at the bottom of the
Pinnacle PCX software. Pinnacle now waits for injection signal from HPLC in order to start running the method.
Start HPLC sequence. Once an injection is made Pinnacle PCX software will receive an injection signal via relays
or directly from Agilent Chemstation. After that Pinnacle will start the post-column method. Check the timer at
the bottom of the Pinnacle PCX software to make sure it matches the elapsed time of the HPLC run.