I wonder if anyone has the experience using LC coupled with triple quad MS. What should I consider for the LC system for the triple quad MS? On my hand, I have two choices, which are Agilent 1100 series LC and PE Series 200. Any suggestion would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi,

We purchased a PE API 2000 last year, and we specifically asked the engineers to connect it with an Agilent 1100 series (because we have some single HP system, and they are working fine). However, we are having a lot of problems with system compatibility (the Analyst software breaking down, unsure of flow cell compability, etc.) In addition, the HP1100 does not have a wash sytem that would allow us to wash the sample needle various times, therefore, we are now having contamination problems. I am not sure if we are unlucky or if it is the system. So here is my experience and I am not sure if other people have some other related experience. I would like to know myself as well if all systems are working that way, or if we are only the unlucky ones. Maybe someone could suggest some other ways for us to clean the system, or how we could improve the situation.

Thank you!

Thanks for your suggestion. I know from the sales guy that Analyst software can control Agilent 1100 only when a sort of "beta driver" is installed, and also there poses some limitations such as maybe the wash program. Apart from this, have you tried using the handheld remote unit from 1100 to control your LC? Do you have problems in the synchronization between it and the triple quad? Please advise. Thanks again.

Uberto

Applied Biosystems and Agilent have recently made agreements on this topic, so I think the "beta driver" will soon become a commercial product.
About the needle wash for the 1100, you can program a rather basic wash (at least available in the ChemStation) that will dip the needle in a specified vial; you can also add aspirating and rejecting some liquid from the vial. Another option would be to use the Agilent 1100 well plate sampler that has a wash program (provided the well plate format is suitable for your samples).

Agilent 1100 well plate sampler can also fit 2mL vial if suitable tray has been purchased. But wonder if the Analyst software can control the wash program of such sampler. Any experience?

Uberto,

Regarding the Agilent control module, it would only control the LC system, and not the MS. Our limitations with the control module is that it can only control the functions of 2 eqipments at the same time (for example, detector and pump, or detection and autosampler, but not 3 equipments at the same time). The engineer suggests we buy another handheld, but of course we think that is quite stupid, and he was saying that he is going do something with the electronics.

Also, the beta driver is already installed in our system. And the connections did get better, I think they will have further improvements later.

Beppe, can you please explain about the Agilent 1100 well plate sampler that has a wash problem? At present, we are using the Agilent 1100 G1329 rack (100 vial rack).

Thank you!

I just wanted to indicate that Agilent has 2 different 1100 samplers; the classical 100 vials sampler have no device to wash the ouside of the needle (you can just dip it in a wash vial when using ChemStation, apparently not with another software) whilst the new well plate sampler is said to have some whashing device, but I have no idea how it is operated and if this new sampler is compatible with other companies MS software.