ELSD System has nitorgen generator with no moving parts.

Polymer Laboratories, Inc. Jun 08, 2004

Press Release Summary:

Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD) PL-ELS 2100 incorporates Parker Balston Model N2-4000 nitrogen generator for delivery of 99% pure nitrogen to system. Instrument handles low-temperature HPLC applications with semi-volatile compounds, and carrier gas is nitrogen. System requires pressure of 60-100 psi at flow rates up to 3.25 l/min. Nitrogen generator has no moving parts and requires no electricity.

Original Press Release:

Pure Nitrogen for ELSD Detection Delivered Without Moving Parts

The Parker Balston Model N2-4000 nitrogen generator has been selected by Polymer Laboratories to provide its users with a convenient means of supplying nitrogen for use in its latest Evaporative Light Scattering Detectors (ELSD).

ELSD technology is rapidly becoming the preferred concentration detection method for liquid chromatography, either as the ideal substitute for, or supplement to, traditional HPLC detectors. The analysers are used in the pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals industries for detecting carbohydrates, lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides, fatty acids, amino acids, polymers and surfactants. Polymer Laboratories' ELSDs offer the benefits over more conventional UV and RI detectors of not relying on the optical properties of the analyte, full gradient and solvent compatibility, no need for pre- or post-column derivatisation, excellent baseline stability and no effect of extinction coefficient or dn/dc.

As Polymer Laboratories' PL-ELS 2100 instrument is designed to handle low temperature HPLC applications with semi-volatile compounds, the carrier gas is nitrogen. The system requires pressure of 60-100psi at flow rates of up to 3.25 litres/min and with high purity. The Parker Balston generator handles this specification with ease delivering 99% pure nitrogen to the system.

The Parker Balston N2-4000 requires no electricity and has no moving parts. Nitrogen is generated using proprietary membrane separation technology - the generator is simply connected to an existing compressed air supply. The air is separated into its component gases by passing it through bundles of hollow fibres acting as a semi-permeable membrane, during which water vapour and other "fast" gases, such as oxygen, quickly permeate the wall of the membrane. Only nitrogen flows through the fibre bores as the product stream. For laboratories requiring a compressor, this can be supplied through Polymer Laboratories.

Increased productivity, reduced operating costs and improved lab safety are achieved using the Parker Balston generator since there is no need to replace expensive and potentially dangerous high-pressure nitrogen cylinders, and as one N2-4000 nitrogen generator can supply pure nitrogen to up to 8 PL-ELS detectors.

The nitrogen generator has a compact footprint that fits easily on the lab bench next to an analytical instrument. If bench space is limited, the lightweight unit can be hung on the wall.

For more information, contact Polymer Laboratories Inc, Amherst Fields Research Park, Old Farm Road, Amherst, MA 01002, tel 413 253 9554, fax 413 253 2476, email PLInfo@polymerlabs.com, www.polymerlabs.com.

Issued by Laura Watson, Marketing Manager, 3 June 2004