Operating Principle - Thermo Scientific Dionex UltiMate 3000 Series Operating Instructions Manual

UltiMate 3000 Series:
TCC-3000SD and TCC-3000RS Column Compartments
• If required, the following components can be installed in the TCC:
♦ Pre-column heater (→ page 24)
The pre-column heater brings the solvent and the sample to the column temperature
before they enter the column. This avoids temperature gradients in the column.
♦ Post-column cooler (→ page 25) (only TCC-3000RS)
The post-column cooler cools the column eluate to a temperature that is appropriate
for the subsequent detection. Post-column cooling minimizes the noise values and thus
leads to optimal detection results.
• Various monitoring and diagnostic features are provided for optimum system
performance and reliability (→ page 27).
• The TCC can be fully controlled by the Chromeleon Chromatography Management
System, providing a high degree of system integration.
• All surfaces in the column chamber are made of materials that provide maximum
resistance to the most commonly used HPLC solvents.

2.2 Operating Principle

The fundamental requirement for a column compartment for liquid chromatography
applications is the ability to maintain the preset temperature as precisely as possible.
However, for temperature equalization, temperature stability is more important than the
absolute precision of the setting. The TCC contains advanced electronic circuitry that
maintains the temperature with a precision of ±0.1 °C.
The thermo-optimized design of the TCC reduces the time required to equilibrate the
temperature between the column and the solvent.
Thermoelectric elements in the TCC heat up and cool down the columns. The heat exchanger
inside the column chamber helps to bring the air and all of the components installed in the
chamber to the desired temperature. If required, a pre-column heater can be installed in the
column chamber.
All this ensures that
• The temperature of the stationary phase remains constant over the total column length.
• The column and the solvent have the same temperature during the analysis.
Under these conditions, the analytical separation is performed at the nominal temperature.
This minimizes fronting and tailing of peaks, as well as retention time variations.
In addition, a post-column cooler insert can be installed under the column chamber of the
TCC-3000RS. Post-column cooling ensures that the temperature of the column eluate is
reduced to a temperature appropriate for the subsequent detection. Post-column cooling
minimizes the noise values and thus leads to optimal detection results.
Page 16 Operating Instructions