Overview

Pinnacle PCX End of Life Announcement: The Pinnacle PCX will be discontinued on March 1, 2020 while supplies last. Replacement parts will be available until January 2030. Please email support@pickeringlabs.com for inquiries regarding this notice.

Pinnacle PCX
Derivatization Instrument

Part of the complete integrated system of instruments, chemicals, columns, methods and support from Pickering Laboratories.

The Pinnacle PCX Delta Series is an optimized HPLC post-column derivatization system for analysis of Amino Acids, Carbamates, Mycotoxins, Antibiotics and many other applications. This instrument is the culmination of Pickering designed to optimize the sensitivity and selectivity of post-column analysis.

Only Pickering Laboratories offers the complete package of chemicals, columns, methods and post-column systems. Because each part of the method is designed to work together, Pickering Laboratories can offer the extraordinary promise that the analysis is guaranteed to work for the intended application.

The Pinnacle PCX reflects the ease of use, reliability and ruggedness you have come to expect from Pickering Laboratories.

System Design

System Design Advancements Result in Optimized Analysis:

The electronic syringe pump provides true pulse-free flow for superior sensitivity and consistency. The pump cylinder and head is made from a single piece of inert ceramic for durability and non-reactivity.
Electronic valves eliminate troublesome check valves and allow automated pump flushing.
The quick-change reactor cartridge makes application switching easy and replacements quick and inexpensive.
The column oven utilizes circulating air for consistency of heating and quick cooling. Inert flow path extends system life and reduces maintenance.
The PCX control software allows for precise control of the reagent delivery and conservation.
Column oven temperature gradient programming improves separation and run times. Pinnacle PCX is the only post-column system with this feature. Inert flow path extends system life and reduces maintenance.
The PCX control software allows for precise control of the reagent delivery and conservation.
Works with any HPLC system.
RoHS compliant

Feature Highlights

Feature Highlights:

The Pinnacle PCX has a column oven capable of programmable temperature gradients. This feature is useful in Amino Acid Analysis by enabling additional flexibility when optimizing methods. Using the temperature gradient program allows for improved separation, shortened analysis time and fine-tuned methods for specific compound detection.

The Chromatogram in Figure 1 demonstrates some of the clear advantages of the temperature gradient program. Compared to the standard method without the temperature gradient the total run time is 42 % shorter. Additionally, separation is improved.

With the temperature gradient program, you are able to focus on different areas of the chromatogram for your specific compound of interest.

chart-ih-pinnacle

Figure 1. High-efficiency Lithium for Physiological samples using temperature gradient

1 Phosphoserine
2 Taurine
3 Phosphoethanolamine
4 Urea
5 Aspartic acid
6 Hydroxyproline
7 Threonine
8 Serine
9 Asparagine
10 Glutamic acid
11 Glutamine
12 Sarcosine

13 α-Aminoadipic acid
14 Proline
15 Glycine
16 Alanine
17 Citrulline
18 α-Amino-n-butyric acid
19 Valine
20 Cystine
21 Methionine
22 Allo-Isoleucine
23 Cystathionine

24 Isoleucine
25 Leucine
26 Tyrosine
27 Phenylalanine
28 β-Alanine
29 β-Amino-i-butyric acid
30 Homocystine
31 γ-Aminobutyric acid
32 Tryptophan
33 Ethanolamine
34 Ammonia

35 Hydroxylysines
36 Ornitine
37 Lysine
38 1-Methylhistidine
39 Histidine
40 3-Methylhistidine
41 Anserine
42 Carnosine
43 Arginine
44 Glucosaminic Acid*
45 2-Aminoethyl-cysteine (AEC)*

*Internal Standard

Specifications

Specifications:

Pinnacle PCX Specifications

Dimensions: (h x w x d): 54 x 26.7 x 46.4 cm
(21.25 x 10.5 x 18.25 inches)
Weight: 54.4 lbs (24.7 Kg) – Duplex
Electrical: 100-120 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.7 A, 200 W or 200-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.8 A, 200 W
Mains voltage ± 10 % of nominal
Installation (over voltage) category II, pollution degree 2
Indoor use only
Environmental: Altitude up to 6500 ft
Ambient Temperature 15 °- 25 °C
Relative humidity up to 80 % at 31 °C

Reagent Pumps

True pulse-free syringe pump
Single piece ceramic barrel
Completely inert flow path
Maximum operating pressure 500 psi
Programmable flow rate
Flow range: 50 μL to 1500 μL/minute
Flow Accuracy 3 %
Flow Precision 0.5 % RSD
Refill cycle of 60 seconds
Automatic piston wash
Automatic reagent flush cycle
No check valves

Control

Computer controlled
Windows PC with XP, Vista or Windows 7
USB connection or network

REACTOR

Heated reactor for temperature from 5 °C above ambient to 130 °C
Easy replacement reactor coil cartridges
Range of reactor dwell volumes; 0.1 mL to 3.5 mL
Reaction coil withstands up to 42 bar (600 psi) inlet pressure at 130 °C
Thermal safety switch limits temperature to 150 °C to prevent damage
Fast response

Safeguards

In-line check valve: Prevents reagent back flow into the column when HPLC pressure drops
Post-column system over pressure: A pre-calibrated relief valve opens at 35 bar (500 psi) to prevent rupture of the post-column reactor tubing in the event of down-stream blockage
Back-pressure regulator: Applies 7 bar (100 psi) to the detector flow cell outlet (waste) to prevent detector noise and precipitation due to out-gassing or boiling

Column Heater and Reactor Controller

Heater accepts up to 6 or 8 mm OD (0.25 or 0.31 inch) x 50-250 mm in length (column and guard)
Programmable temperature gradient
Power cooling capability
Temperature holds within ± 0.4 °C from the set point. Can be set with 1 °C resolution from 5 °C above ambient to 75 °C
Easy column access

Instrument Package and Flow Path

Advanced fluidics valve management system
Easy access to internal components
Standard fittings
Post-column pressure relief valve
Side panels easily removed for service access
Integrated reagent reservoir tray
Corrosion proof pan and panels

Display

Backlit LCD
Real time temperature and pressure display
System status icons
Simple system control interface

Gas Pressure Manifold and Regulator

Panel mount manifold
Regulator maintains 0.3 bar (3-5 psi) on reagent reservoirs with 3-5 bar (45-75 psi) source pressure
Safety pressure relief valve opens at 1 bar (14 psi)
Manifold has two 1/4-28 tubing connections
Gas lines with anti-syphon valves

Pressurized Reagent Reservoir

One liter capacity (2 L reservoirs available)
Maintained under inert gas pressure to inhibit oxidation of oxygen-sensitive reagents
Valve built into reservoir cap permits sparging during reagent preparation
Reagent reservoirs fitted with 3.1 mm (1/8”) OD, oxygen-impermeable Air Barrier tubing for oxygen-sensitive reagents

Pricing & Ordering

Pinnacle PCX Catalog Information

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Catalog #

Application

Reagent Pump

Reactor Volume

Voltage

1153-1011 or 1153-1012