The Waters ACQUITY Column Heater - Active (CH-A) is a column heating module designed to manage and maintain column temperature for various Waters ACQUITY systems, including ACQUITY Arc, ACQUITY Arc Bio, ACQUITY UPLC H-Class Series, ACQUITY UPLC H-Class Bio Series, and ACQUITY UPLC I-Class Series systems.
Function Description:
The CH-A module's primary function is to provide precise temperature control for chromatographic columns. It achieves this by controlling the ambient air temperature around the column and, in its standard configuration, preheating the incoming solvent before it enters the column using an Active Preheater (APH) assembly. This active preheating ensures that high-flow rate separations occur at the desired column temperature, reducing sensitivity to ambient temperature swings. The rapid heating and low-volume design of the APH minimize gradient delay and extra-column band-spreading.
An optional passive column stabilizer device is available as an alternative configuration. This stabilizer reduces sensitivity to ambient temperature swings by transferring heat via conduction from the column heater’s heating element through a thermal gasket to the column-inlet tubing. The looped tubing path reduces dispersion while maximizing heat transfer to the mobile phase. This passive design is suitable for lower flow rate applications and methods originally developed for use with a column stabilizer on the ACQUITY UPLC system. It is important to note that the APH assembly and the passive column stabilizer assembly cannot be used simultaneously; the user must choose the preheater type best suited for their application. The CH-A module does not have its own power supply; it draws power from the sample manager and powers on automatically with the sample manager.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Temperature Control:
- Column compartment temperature range: 20.0 to 90.0 °C, in 0.1 °C increments.
- Controllable temperatures range from 5 °C above ambient to 90.0 °C.
- Column Accommodation:
- Accommodates a single chromatographic column.
- Maximum column dimensions: 4.6-mm internal diameter (ID) and 150-mm length.
- Supports column guards or in-line filters up to 20-mm length.
- Physical Specifications:
- Height: 7.6 cm (3 inches)
- Width: 34.3 cm (13.5 inches)
- Depth (without drip tray fitting): 62.9 cm (24.8 inches)
- Weight: 5.7 kg (12.5 lb)
- Environmental Specifications:
- Ambient operating temperature: 4 to 40 °C
- Ambient operating humidity: 20 to 80%, noncondensing
- Ambient shipping and storage temperature: -30 to 60 °C
- Ambient shipping and storage humidity: 20 to 85%, noncondensing
- Electrical Specifications:
- Pollution degree: 2
- Moisture protection: Normal (IPX0)
- Supply voltage, nominal: 24 Vdc
- Line frequency: 0 Hz
- Power consumption: 84 W
- Input/Output:
- 25-pin, D-series sub-connector for control, communication, and power from the sample manager.
- Wetted Materials of Construction:
- Tubing and fittings (APH assembly): 316 SST, PEEK, MP35N (Bio)
- Column outlet tubing and fittings: 316 SST, PEEK
- Drip tray: Polyethylene
- Drain tubing: Tygon 2475
Usage Features:
- eCord Technology: ACQUITY UPLC columns with an eCord column chip can be connected to the CH-A. The eCord automatically records and stores column manufacturing and usage data, including sample set names, number of injections, number of samples injected, highest pressure experienced (and date), and highest temperature experienced (and date). It also stores fixed data like unique column identification, certificate of analysis, and QC test data.
- Configuration Flexibility: The CH-A can be installed in a standard stack-mounted position or an extended position for mass spectrometry (MS) applications, where it is mounted on an external bracket to reduce the distance to the MS inlet probe.
- Preheater Settings: The preheater setting (Active or Active, disabled) can be configured via the console or method editor to suit different applications.
- Leak Detection: The system incorporates a leak sensor. For standard configurations, the sensor is in the sample manager's upper drip tray. For extended configurations, it's in the MS-bracket drip tray. An alarm sounds if approximately 1.5 mL of liquid accumulates.
- Column Compartment Control: Temperature settings and other controls for the CH-A module are managed through the sample manager control panels or the chromatography data software's method editor.
- Fitting Recommendations: Detailed instructions are provided for assembling and tightening various fittings (SST, MP35N, PEEK) to prevent band spreading and ensure proper connections. It is recommended to examine fittings for damage and avoid reusing stainless steel ferrules more than six times.
Maintenance Features:
- Recommended Maintenance Schedule: A routine maintenance schedule is provided, including tasks such as replacing the column, ferrule, APH assembly, column stabilizer assembly, leak sensor, and column in-line filter unit frit, as well as cleaning the instrument exterior. These tasks should be performed during scheduled maintenance or as needed, with increased frequency for continuous use or aggressive solvents.
- Maintenance Warnings: The system supports maintenance counters and warnings that alert users when a component reaches a specified usage threshold, helping to minimize unexpected failures and downtime.
- Component Replacement Procedures: Detailed instructions are provided for replacing key components, including:
- Leak sensor (for both standard and extended configurations).
- APH assembly.
- APH retainer clip.
- Column stabilizer assembly.
- Ferrule on the column-inlet fitting.
- Safety and Handling: Comprehensive safety advisories are included, covering general risks, burn injuries (due to hot surfaces), chemical and biological hazards (requiring gloves and eye protection), and electrical safety. Specific warnings are provided for working with pressurized polymer tubing and handling flammable solvents.
- Cleaning: Instructions for cleaning the exterior of the equipment using a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water, emphasizing the need to power off the device and avoid direct spraying.
- Technical Service: Information on how to contact Waters Technical Service for malfunctions, problems, or shipping damages, including details to provide for efficient support.
- Spare Parts: Emphasizes the use of Waters Quality Parts for optimal system operation and provides information on how to order them.
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