Statement of requirements
Sample purification system for the μSTARR Project. A preparative liquid chromatography system for clean-up of complex sample extracts pri bor to compound-specific isolation for C-14 analysis of environmental hydrocarbons.
Scope of Project
A critical step for our compound isolations is the purification of complex extracts prior to a secondary isolation for specific compounds. This first purification process of our sample extracts requires a preparative liquid chromatography system to separate co-extracted materials from environmental hydrocarbons (PACs). The equipment must be able to separate compound classes: pigments, lipids, phthalates and sulphur from PACs, employing a standardized USEPA Method. Finally, the system must be able to collect the PACs in fraction collection vessels for secondary isolation work.
General Description of Instrument, System or Service
A preparative liquid chromatography system with accurate large volume injection on column for performing separation of pigments, lipids, phthalates, organic contaminants and sulphur from complex organic matrices, and collect user identified fractions. It must be a robust unit, capable of tolerating extended operation in methylene chloride, ethyl acetate and cyclohexane. It must be able to perform the standardized USEPA Method 3640A, and use Waters Envirogel Columns (WAT036555 and WAT065554) or similar columns from other manufacturers. It should be easy to operate, maintain and repair, as it will be used by graduate students for preparation of samples for further isolation and chemical analysis.
Specifications and Standards
The system will accurately perform USEPA Method 3640a and consist of the following components:
- A highly reproducible liquid autosampler capable of processing multiple samples in a programmable injection sequence, with a range of sample injection volumes, up to 5 ml with minimal sample loss.
- Liquid pump (2 eluents) capable of pulse-free consistent flow rates for analytical and semi-preparative analysis.
- Chromatographic column(s) for performing USEPA 3640a on 100 Å, 15 µm cross-linked, styrene divinyl benzene copolymer particles, packed in methylene chloride.
- Dual (UV/Visible light) detector with a high-energy deuterium source with low noise using a semi-prep and analytical flow cells.
- Sample fraction collector with various modes of operation (signal, peak number, time, etc.). The fraction collector must be able to accommodate a variety of sample vessels/volumes/racks.
- Racks and vessels for fraction collector; trays and vials for autosampler.
- Workstation Computer hard drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse
- Software for complete operation of liquid chromatography system
Technical, Operational and Organizational Environment
A single principal investigator, and his students, researching trace level organic contaminants extracted into organic solvents will use the system. Installation will occur in CAREG 422 laboratory on bench near articulated ventilation arm. Electrical is readily available. The system should be compatible with existing USEPA methods used by federal government colleagues performing similar chromatographic separations (Ref: Phenomenex application note TN-1183: The Use of Phenogel GPC Columns for Environmental and Biomonitoring Applications.
