CHRONECT Workstation | PFAS
An economical, flexible, efficient lab automation system
[US EPA1633] Soil
CHRONECT™ is built to your needs, using modular components to suit your specific workflow. The CHRONECT Workstation PFAS improves detection of PFAS in soil by automating and streamlining the sample preparation process. It encompasses solid-liquid extraction, dispersive SPE, and online SPE LC-MS/MS, in compliance with the US EPA 1633 method requirements for aqueous and solid samples.
CHRONECT offers cost savings and a competitive advantage, with:
- Reduced solvent usage and faster analysis time per sample.
- High-quality samples, delivering high customer satisfaction.
- Integrates with your existing mass spectrometer system.
Key Features
Savings
- Reduces the use of solvents by 80%.
- Improves productivity by reducing the need for manual handling of the sample.
- SPE cartridge can be used once or multiple times.
- Investment payback of under 12 months.
Flexible
- Easily implemented adjustments to the workflow are possible with CHRONOS™ software. The hardware tools and modules are customizable to meet ever-changing requirements.
Compatible
- System-agnostic CHRONOS software interfaces with multiple vendor LC-MS configurations and LIMS systems.
Performance
- Fully automated from sample preparation to injection.
- Peak focusing for improved chromatography separation.
- Decreased Mass Spectrometer source maintenance intervals.
- Closed system reduces cross sample contamination.
Throughput
- SPE is RFID tagged, so each cartridge is tracked for usage.
- Prep and load approach minimizes LC-MS idle time and matches the LC method timeframe.
PFAS Workstation
Modules
1. CHRONECT HPD™ | High-Pressure-Dispenser
The CHRONECT HPD Mix is a high-pressure, high-performance syringe-driven pumping system.
The primary function of the CHRONECT HPD Mix is to deliver extraction solvents to the SPE cartridge during sample extraction/purification.
CHRONECT HPD comes standard with a single Solvent Selector Module (SSM), which allows for the selection of up to 6 different solvents. The syringe valve itself has an additional 2 ports available, giving a total selection of 8 solvents. Any 2 of these solvents can also be mixed prior to delivery (thus extending the range of all possible solvents using 8 discreet channels). A second SSM may be added as an option, to increase individual solvent channels to 13 total.
The high-pressure capabilities of the CHRONECT HPD Mix facilitate the use of microparticulate cartridges (i.e., CHROSPE cartridges). With an upper-pressure limit of 300 bar (~4,400 psi), CHRONECT HPD can process cartridges down to < 5 um in size, with precision and accuracy.
2. CHRONECT Mistral™| Temperature Controller
Stable and precise oven
Dependable temperature control for better separations.
The CHRONECT Mistral Cool is a high-performance HPLC/UHPLC column temperature controller. Powered by Peltier technology combined with a forced air oven for rapid equilibration, the CHRONECT Mistral Cool can control temperatures accurately over a range of 5o C. to 75o C. This range is broad enough to accommodate virtually any chromatographic separation. The stability of the oven is further enhanced with the circulating air bath, while the mobile phase pre-heater reduces any temperature gradients across the column.
With its vapour sensor and integrated solvent pre-heater, the MISTRAL™ offers stable and precise temperature control to optimize your HPLC or UHPLC assay. As you will easily recognize, retention times will be more constant with constant temperature, but varying the temperature can also be of great help to tune selectivity, improve peak shape and reduce analysis time. Plus, high temperatures reduce column back pressure significantly, allowing higher solvent flow rates, narrower columns or smaller particles.
Mistral™ Column Oven | ProteCol® C18 H125 150 mm x 2.1 mm
3. ACE™| Automated Cartridge Exchange
The CHRONECT ACE Module is the heart of the online-SPE stage of all CHRONECT Symbiosis systems.
The CHRONECT ACE employs a purpose-built robotic system which reliably picks up and moves the cartridge into an active location, where the cartridge is immobilized within a flow-through, pressure-resistant mechanism (the “Clamp”). The Clamp is connected to a fluidic switching valve (or multiple valves in the CHRONECT ACE Dual) allowing for routing of both extraction protocol solvents, and UHPLC mobile phase solvents, in order to:
In most cases, a cartridge is used once per sample, to eliminate sample-to-sample carryover.
Cartridges: Polymer WAX, ~3 mg sorbent material; 10 x 1 mm; housing material: PEEK.
4. CHRONECT SPH1299™| Pump
Superior UHPLC with SPH1299
The complete system is optimized for UHPLC, dead volumes are minimized and all materials are designed to work at high pressures. At the heart of the UHPLC is Spark Holland‘s SPH1299. This pump is a guarantee of robust, state-of-the-art UHPLC performance. It delivers ultra-precise UHPLC gradient flow up to 18,850 psi (1,300 bar). Automatic compressibility compensation, modern prime function and easy maintenance are making the pump extremely user-friendly.
SPH1299 is based on the proven concept of linear drive technology for two pairs of serially coupled pump heads. Each of the four pump heads is driven and controlled individually. This results in maximum precision for flow control and pulse reduction. Intelligent, novel algorithms ensure stable and precise flow regardless of solvent compressibility, pressure and flow rate. The result is solvent gradients with exceptional precision in both composition and flow rate; the SPH1299 ensures robust and accurate UHPLC gradients.
PTFE eluent tubings + filters replaced with PEEK tubings and stainless-steel frits, WAX-online trap instead ‘classic’ delay column.
5. CHRONECT PAL3 | 160 cm Dual Head PAL3
Capabilities of PAL DHR Dual Head
Workflow
System operation steps
First: Weighing
2 g sample of soil is weighed into a 20 mL headspace vial
Second: Automation extraction
Third: Online SPE
Return on investment
The CHRONECT Workstation PFAS can help reduce costs for laboratory managers by decreasing solvent usage and increasing the turnaround time for sample analysis, compared to traditional cartridge-based manual SPE cleanup methods.
Operating on CHRONOS software, the CHRONECT Workstation PFAS features a multi-system, time-based control mechanism that seamlessly integrates with LC-MS chromatography data software. This integration facilitates precise control over sample preparation, sample overlap timing, and data collection. The software is compatible with a wide range of LC-MS systems available in the market.
The CHRONECT Workstation PFAS is a comprehensive automated sample preparation solution that seamlessly integrates with your mass spectrometer system—there is no need to replace your MS.
The method employs peak focusing technology to achieve excellent chromatography for all eluted peaks.
The proprietary SPE material has been carefully chosen to ensure optimal retention of PFAS analytes. The SPE delivers exceptional recovery for all compounds and surrogates from soil extracts, consistently demonstrating reproducible performance.
Trajan has rigorously tested a range of consumable products compatible with the CHRONECT Workflow PFAS system to prevent potential contamination issues that could hinder troubleshooting efforts. Consumables endorsed by Trajan offer stable, low-background analysis, instilling confidence in the analysis system.
The CHRONECT features a fully automated system that integrates the sample extraction with online SPE directly to the Mass Spec. This efficiency delivers a solution that optimizes the entire process, saving you time and money.
System Components
SPE Cartridges
DeCapper Module
Pipette-Tool
