Agilent 1200 Series Rapid Resolution LC System

Importance of the topic

The rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) approach addresses the growing demand for higher throughput, improved resolution and cost-effective analysis in modern analytical laboratories. By combining sub-2 µm stationary phases with elevated flow rates and temperatures, RRLC systems dramatically reduce analysis time while maintaining or improving separation quality, sensitivity, and reproducibility. This capability is critical in pharmaceutical QA/QC, environmental monitoring, bioanalysis, and other fields where large sample volumes and trace-level detection are routine requirements.

Objectives and overview

This document presents the Agilent 1200 Series Rapid Resolution LC system, a versatile platform designed to deliver up to 20-fold faster separations and 60 % higher resolution compared to conventional HPLC. Key objectives include maximizing sample throughput (up to 2000 samples per day), preserving chromatographic performance under ultra-fast conditions, and offering seamless compatibility with existing HPLC methods.

Methodology and instrumentation

The system employs second-generation ZORBAX Rapid Resolution HT columns packed with 1.8 µm particles, enabling analyses at flow rates up to 5 mL/min and temperatures up to 100 °C. Enhanced fluidic design minimizes system delay volume (configurable from 120 to 800 µL) to support both narrow and standard bore columns (1–4.6 mm ID) and particle sizes ranging from 1.5 to 10 µm. High-speed UV-visible and MS detectors capture chromatograms with sampling rates up to 80 Hz, ensuring accurate peak integration and sensitivity even for peak widths below 0.2 s.

Instrumentation

• Binary Pump SL: Configurable delay volume (120–800 µL), flow rates 0.05–5 mL/min, up to 600 bar, electronic damping control for retention precision.
• High-Performance Autosampler SL: 600 bar injector, cycle times < 30 s, injection volumes 0.1–100 µL with high linearity and low carryover.
• Thermostatted Column Compartment SL: Temperature range 10 °C below ambient to 100 °C, stability ± 0.05 °C, dual heat exchangers.
• DAD SL/MWD SL: 80 Hz spectral acquisition, low-noise flow cell, electronic temperature control, data recovery card, RFID traceability.

Main results and discussion

• Speed: Achieved analysis times up to 20× faster than HPLC, with linear velocities > 15 mm/s on 50 mm RRHT columns.
• Resolution: 60 % increase in resolution using 150 mm, 1.8 µm columns versus 5 µm HPLC columns of same dimensions.
• Peak capacity: Over 500 peaks in 30 min and up to 700 peaks for complex mixtures, enabling detailed sample profiling.
• Throughput: Alternating column regeneration reduces cycle time by 50 %, supporting > 2000 injections per day.
• Precision and sensitivity: Retention time RSD < 0.02 min, injection volume RSD < 0.25 %, detector noise < 8 × 10⁻⁵ AU, limit of detection comparable to HPLC.

Benefits and practical applications

• Substantial reduction in cost-per-analysis (> 70 % savings) due to shorter runtimes and higher sample throughput.
• Secure investment: full backward compatibility with established HPLC methods and easy method transfer thanks to consistent column chemistry across particle sizes.
• Regulatory compliance: built-in diagnostics, early maintenance feedback, data recovery, and RFID traceability support GLP/GMP workflows.
• Flexibility: supports a wide range of column formats (10–300 mm length, 0.05–8 mm ID) and bonded phases for method development.

Future trends and potential applications

Looking ahead, integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry and advanced data analytics will further enhance RRLC workflows. Continued miniaturization and automation, along with AI-driven method optimization, are expected to push speed, sensitivity, and selectivity to new levels. Applications in proteomics, metabolomics and real-time process monitoring will particularly benefit from these developments.

Conclusion

The Agilent 1200 Series Rapid Resolution LC system represents a significant advance in liquid chromatography, delivering unparalleled speed, resolution, and throughput without sacrificing sensitivity or precision. Its modular design, backward compatibility, and robust diagnostics make it an ideal choice for laboratories seeking to enhance productivity and ensure reliable, high-quality analytical results.