Waters 2487 - User Manual

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Summary

Rebuilding the 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell

Parts Required

Lists the necessary components for rebuilding the flow cell, including part numbers and quantities.

Tools and Materials Required

Details the tools and materials needed for performing the flow cell rebuild procedure, such as screwdrivers and swabs.

Procedure Overview

Outlines the four main stages of the flow cell rebuilding process: removal, disassembly, rebuilding, and replacement.

Removing the Flow Cell

Step-by-step instructions on how to safely detach the flow cell from the detector chassis, including flushing and disconnecting lines.

Disassembling the Flow Cell

Detailed guide on taking apart the flow cell components, identifying parts to be replaced and reused, and handling delicate optics.

Rebuilding the Flow Cell

Instructions for reassembling the flow cell, focusing on proper installation of new gaskets, lenses, and washers with specified torque.

Replacing the Flow Cell

Steps to reinstall the rebuilt flow cell into the detector, reconnect tubing, and secure the panel cover.

Summary

Rebuilding the 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell

Parts Required

Lists the necessary components for rebuilding the flow cell, including part numbers and quantities.

Tools and Materials Required

Details the tools and materials needed for performing the flow cell rebuild procedure, such as screwdrivers and swabs.

Procedure Overview

Outlines the four main stages of the flow cell rebuilding process: removal, disassembly, rebuilding, and replacement.

Removing the Flow Cell

Step-by-step instructions on how to safely detach the flow cell from the detector chassis, including flushing and disconnecting lines.

Disassembling the Flow Cell

Detailed guide on taking apart the flow cell components, identifying parts to be replaced and reused, and handling delicate optics.

Rebuilding the Flow Cell

Instructions for reassembling the flow cell, focusing on proper installation of new gaskets, lenses, and washers with specified torque.

Replacing the Flow Cell

Steps to reinstall the rebuilt flow cell into the detector, reconnect tubing, and secure the panel cover.

The Waters 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell is a critical component in liquid chromatography systems, specifically designed for analytical and preparative separations. This device facilitates the detection of analytes within a flowing liquid stream, enabling the quantification and identification of compounds. Its primary function involves directing the mobile phase through a detection path where light absorption or other optical properties can be measured.

Function Description:

The 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell operates by providing a precisely defined optical path for the mobile phase as it exits the chromatography column. Light from a detector lamp passes through the flow cell, interacts with the sample, and is then measured by a photodetector. Changes in light intensity, typically due to the absorption of specific wavelengths by analytes, are converted into an electrical signal, which is then processed by the detector to generate a chromatogram. The flow cell is designed to minimize dead volume and band broadening, ensuring high-resolution separations and accurate detection. Its robust construction allows for continuous operation under various chromatographic conditions, including different flow rates, pressures, and solvent compositions. The rebuild procedure detailed in the manual indicates that the flow cell is a modular unit, allowing for the replacement of key optical components such as lenses, windows, and gaskets, which are crucial for maintaining optimal performance. This modularity extends the lifespan of the device and ensures cost-effective maintenance.

Important Technical Specifications:

While specific numerical specifications like wavelength range or pressure limits are not explicitly stated in the provided manual excerpts, the components listed in the "Parts Required" section offer insights into its design and precision. The rebuild kit (Part Number 700002770) includes:

Gasket, Flow Cell (WAT081131): Two gaskets are provided, highlighting their importance in sealing the optical path and preventing leaks, which are critical for maintaining pressure and optical integrity.
Lens, Cell Entrance (WAT081073): This lens focuses light into the flow cell, ensuring efficient light transmission and signal intensity.
Split Ring, Cuvette (WAT081135): This component likely secures the cuvette lens within its mount, ensuring precise alignment.
Lens, Cuvette (WAT081070): This is the primary lens within the detection path, crucial for optical clarity and accurate measurement.
Window, Stepped, Flow Cell (402000155): This window forms part of the optical path, providing a clear interface for light to pass through the sample. The "stepped" design might be for specific optical path length or flow characteristics.

The torque specifications for tightening the lens mount screws are critical for performance:

Entrance lens mount screw: 11 in-lb. This precise torque prevents cracking of the lens due to over-tightening and ensures a leak-free seal.
Cuvette lens mount screw / Lens holder: 14 in-lb. Similar to the entrance lens, this torque is vital for optical integrity and leak prevention.

These torque values underscore the precision engineering required for the flow cell's assembly and the importance of proper maintenance to achieve optimal performance. The use of specific tools like a torque wrench with a 1/4-inch flat-blade screwdriver bit is essential for adhering to these specifications.

Usage Features:

The 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell is designed for integration into the 2487 Detector chassis. Its removal and reinstallation process is straightforward, involving loosening three captive screws and gently pulling the assembly out.

Solvent Compatibility: Before removal, the detector must be flushed with compatible solvents (e.g., HPLC-grade water for buffers, methanol for general cleaning) to prevent contamination and ensure system cleanliness.
System Integration: The flow cell connects to the detector via solvent lines (two inlet, one outlet LC tubings), which must be disconnected and reconnected during removal and replacement.
Modular Design: The ability to rebuild the flow cell by replacing individual optical components (lenses, windows, gaskets) rather than the entire unit is a significant usage feature, reducing operational costs and extending the life of the detector.
Ease of Access: The flow cell assembly is accessible by removing the left front panel cover of the detector, simplifying maintenance procedures.
Optical Clarity: The emphasis on cleaning components with methanol and lint-free swabs, along with final checks using an eye loop, highlights the critical importance of maintaining pristine optical surfaces for accurate detection.

Maintenance Features:

The provided manual is essentially a detailed guide for maintaining and rebuilding the flow cell, emphasizing several key aspects:

Preventative Measures: The manual stresses the use of powder-free finger cots or gloves to prevent contamination of optical surfaces and careful handling to avoid scratching parts.
Component Replacement: The rebuild kit contains all necessary consumable optical components (gaskets, lenses, window) that are prone to wear or contamination, making it easy to restore the flow cell to optimal condition.
Detailed Disassembly/Reassembly Instructions: Step-by-step instructions with clear illustrations (e.g., "Exploded View of 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell") guide users through the process, ensuring correct component placement and orientation.
Cleaning Protocols: Methanol and lint-free swabs are specified for cleaning lenses and windows, ensuring no residue or particles interfere with light transmission.
Torque Specifications: Precise torque values for tightening screws are provided to prevent damage to delicate optical components and ensure proper sealing, preventing leaks. The instruction to tighten screws a second time ("double torque") ensures complete compression of gaskets, which is crucial for long-term sealing and performance.
Contamination Control: Repeated warnings about contamination and the need for re-cleaning if present underscore the sensitivity of the flow cell's optical path to even microscopic particles. The reusability of gaskets if not under pressure during initial contamination checks is also noted, offering practical advice for maintenance.
Troubleshooting Guidance: Notes within the procedure, such as what to do if an entrance lens or exit window gets stuck, provide practical troubleshooting tips during disassembly.

In summary, the Waters 2487 Autopurification Flow Cell is a precisely engineered optical component vital for chromatographic detection. Its design prioritizes optical clarity, leak-free operation, and ease of maintenance through a modular rebuild process. Adherence to strict cleaning protocols and torque specifications during assembly is paramount to ensure its high performance and longevity in demanding laboratory environments.