Dionex UltiMate 3000 Series, UltiMate SR-3000 Manual

Installation and Maintenance

General Information

The solvent rack is a high-quality instrument designed for HPLC analysis as part of a Dionex UltiMate 3000 system. The rack is intended for use as a solvent organizer, for example, together with an LPG-3400 pump, providing a secure location for installation of the solvent reservoirs and, when mounted on top of the UltiMate 3000 system, saves valuable bench space.

All parts in the flow path are made of PEEK, FEP, stainless steel, or Titanium (biocompatible system only) to provide optimum resistance to the most commonly used HPLC solvents and buffer solutions.

Unpacking

All mechanical components of the solvent rack are carefully tested before the instrument is shipped from the factory. After unpacking, inspect the rack for any signs of mechanical damage that may have occurred during transit.

Tips: Immediately report any shipping damage to both, the incoming carrier and Dionex. Shipping insurance will compensate for the damage only if reported immediately.

Keep the original shipping container and the packing material. They will provide excellent protection for the solvent rack in case of future transit. Shipping the rack in any other packaging automatically voids the product warranty. For more information, see the warranty statement in the terms of sale.

1. Place the shipping container on the floor. Remove the accessories kit.
2. Grasp the solvent rack by the sides. Slowly and carefully, pull the rack out of the shipping container and place it on a stable surface.
   
   To prevent the rack from falling, always lift the unit by the sides. Do not lift the unit by the packaging material.
3. Remove the foam spacers, and then remove the polythene packaging.

Positioning the Solvent Rack in the UltiMate 3000 System

If the solvent rack is part of an UltiMate 3000 system, for example, for analytical HPLC applications, Dionex recommends that you stack the individual modules, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the arrangement of the system modules depends on the application.

Fig. 1: Module arrangement for an UltiMate 3000 system (example)

If the solvent rack is part of an UltiMate 3000 RSLCnano or Proteomics MDLC system, the related system manual provides information about how to arrange the system modules and set up the systems for these applications.

Inside View

The front panel door tilts upward to provide access to the tubing guides in the solvent rack.
The open door locks in its topmost position.

Fig. 2: SR-3000 with open front panel

For safety reasons, you should not lift the solvent rack when one or more solvent reservoirs are in the tray.

When lifting or moving the solvent rack, always lift by the bottom or sides of the unit. Lifting the solvent rack by the front panel may damage the front panel door.
The open front panel door is not designed to carry weight. Therefore, you should not place any objects on the open door.

Solvent Reservoirs

The solvent rack is shipped with solvent reservoirs and appropriate tubing, including filter holders and filter frits.

General Precautions

When connecting the solvent reservoirs, observe the following general precautions:

• Always install filter frits on the solvent lines. This prevents contaminants from reaching the HPLC system.
• Regularly check the filter frits for permeability. Replace the filter frits at regular intervals. This is especially important when using aqueous solvents. Aqueous solvents may contaminate the filters with algae and other microorganisms that deposit on the filter frits. Therefore, also replace the solvents at regular intervals. Rinse the reservoirs thoroughly before refilling them. Replace the filter frits as necessary.
• As standard, the filter frits shipped with the solvent rack are10 µm stainless steel frits. If the UltiMate 3000 system includes a biocompatible pump or an NCS-3x00RS, replace the stainless frits with the titanium frits from the pump or NCS accessories kit. To do so, unscrew the top part of the filter holder from its bottom part and replace the filter frit. When placing the new filter frit into the bottom part, make sure that the frit is in a level position (avoid tilting the frit). The same applies if the system includes a semipreparative pump (HPG-3200P). In this case, too, use the special frits from the accessories kit.
• Locate the solvent reservoirs as close as possible to the pump. To avoid formation of gas bubbles in the reservoirs, make sure that the reservoirs are on the same level or higher as the pump. Therefore, stack the rack onto the pump as shown in Fig1. The tubing connecting the pump to the degasser should be as short as possible to avoid reformation of gas bubbles in the solvent.
• When replacing solvents, make sure that the solvents are miscible. Mix immiscible solvents with an intermediate solvent (for example, isopropanol) to replace them step-by-step.

Connecting the Solvent Reservoirs

1. Feed the solvent line through the retaining guide, which holds the tubing in place in the bottle, and then into the open hole in the reservoir cap.
2. Verify that an appropriate frit is installed in the filter holder:

3. Slide the filter holder with filter frit onto the end of the solvent line. Verify that the end of the solvent line is cut straight and is not deformed. Cut the tubing straight if necessary. Use only the original Dionex solvent lines.
4. Place the complete assembly in the solvent reservoir.
5. Tighten the reservoir cap hand-tight. When replacing a solvent line, remove the frit first, then the solvent line, and then the retaining guide.
   
   Fig. 3: Connecting the solvent lines to the reservoir
6. To connect the solvent lines to the degasser in the pump, direct them through the opening in the rack.
   
7. Connect the solvent lines, for example, to the internal degasser of an LGP-3400 pump. Place the solvent lines in the tubing guides (Fig. 2, and then connect them to the pump).

Routine and Preventive Maintenance

The solvent rack is made of high-quality components and materials to minimize maintenance requirements. The surfaces are resistant to weak acids, alkali, and organic solvents. Nevertheless, immediately wipe up all liquids spilled onto the rack surface, using lint-free cloth or paper. If surfaces are exposed for longer periods, these liquids can cause damage.

Should you need to return an instrument to Dionex for repair, contact Dionex Service or your local distributor. An RMA (Return Material Authorization) number is required in order to track your instrument. Always use the original packaging and observe the packing instructions when shipping the solvent rack. Shipping the rack in anything other than the original packaging will void the warranty. For more information, see the warranty statement in the terms of sale.

Technical Information

All technical specifications are subject to change without notice.

Accessories, Consumables, and Spare Parts

Standard Accessories

Accessories for the solvent rack are always maintained at the latest technical standard. Therefore, part numbers are subject to alteration. However, updated parts will always be compatible with the parts they replace. The part numbers always refer to the packing unit. For more information contact your Dionex Sales Representative.

The following accessories are shipped with the instrument (the list is subject to change without notice):

Consumables and Spare Parts

Safety Information

Symbols on the Instrument and in the Manual

The table shows the symbols used on the instrument:

Symbol	Description
	Refer to the operating instructions to prevent risk of harm to the operator and to protect the instrument against damage.
	Label according to the "Measures for Administration of the Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products" (China RoHS) guideline if necessary

At various points throughout the manual, messages of particular importance are indicated by certain symbols:

Tip:	Indicates general information, as well as information intended to optimize the performance of the instrument.
	Indicates that failure to take note of the accompanying information could cause wrong results or may result in damage to the instrument.
	Indicates that failure to take note of the accompanying information may result in personal injury.

General Safety Precautions

When working with analytical instrumentation, you should know the potential hazards of using chemical solvents.

To avoid the possibility of personal injury and/or damage to the instrument, observe the following general safety precautions when operating the instrument:

• Install the HPLC system in a well-ventilated laboratory. If the mobile phase includes volatile or flammable solvents, do not allow them to enter the workspace.
• For minimum interference effects, all components of the analytical system should be connected to the same mains output (same phase).
• The front panel tilts upward. To avoid damage to the solvent rack when lifting or moving, always lift by the bottom or sides of the unit.
• For safety reasons, you should not lift the solvent rack when one or more solvent reservoirs are in the tray.
• The open front panel door is not designed to carry weight. Therefore, you should not place any objects on the open door.
• Always set a lower pressure limit for the HPLC pump. This prevents damage resulting from leakage or from running the pump dry.
• If the mobile phase includes volatile or flammable solvents, avoid open flames and sparks.
• Many organic solvents and buffers are toxic. Know the toxicological properties of all mobile phases that you are using.
• The toxicological properties of many samples may not be well known. If you have any doubt about a sample, treat it as if it contains a potentially harmful substance.
• Wear goggles when handling mobile phases. An eye wash facility and a sink should be close to the unit. If any mobile phase splashes on the eyes or skin, wash the affected area and seek medical attention.
• Dispose of all waste mobile phase in an environmentally safe manner that is consistent with all local regulations. Do not allow flammable and/or toxic solvents to accumulate. Follow a regulated, approved waste disposal program. Never dispose of flammable and/or toxic solvents through the municipal sewage system
• Use only standard solvents (HPLC grade) and buffers that are compatible with all parts that may be exposed to solvents.
• In an UltiMate 3000 system, some components are made of PEEK. While this polymer has superb chemical resistance to most organic solvents, it tends to swell when in contact with trichlormethane (CHCl₃), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or tetrahydrofuran (THF). In addition, it is attacked by concentrated acids, such as, sulfuric acid and nitric acid or a mixture of hexane, ethyl actate, and methanol. (Swelling or attack by concentrated acids is not a problem with brief flushing procedures.)
• Do not use PEEK tubing that is stressed, bent, or kinked.
• Wear goggles when handling fused silica tubing (during installation, cutting, etc.)
• Use original Dionex spare parts only. Substituting non-Dionex parts or using non-Dionex accessories may impair the performance of the instrument.
• Do not use the solvent rack in ways other than those described in this manual.

Documents / Resources

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