Beyond the Initial Cost: Achieving the Full Lifecycle Value of LC Investments

Importance of the Topic

Liquid chromatography (LC) is a cornerstone of analytical workflows in environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, food safety, and process control. Investment decisions in LC systems must consider not only purchase price, but the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the instrument life cycle. A strategic, data-driven approach that balances throughput, reliability, and hidden operational costs is essential to maximize return on investment (ROI) and ensure sustainable laboratory operations.

Objectives and Overview

This summary captures the main findings of a comprehensive guide that reframes LC acquisition from a one-time expense to a long-term strategic decision. The original white paper:

• Highlights drivers of true LC costs, including downtime, maintenance, training, and solvent management.
• Compares standard HPLC, fast HPLC, standard UHPLC, and fast UHPLC in terms of throughput, cost per sample, and ROI.
• Illustrates how partial versus full column equilibration affects analysis time and cost.
• Demonstrates the impact of intelligent automation features on reducing hidden costs.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Methodology:

• Defined TCO metrics: purchase, installation, operation, maintenance, downtime, depreciation, and consumables.
• Modeled cost per sample using typical HPLC parameters: 10 h/day, 253 days/year, instrument lifetime 10 years.
• Evaluated gradient and equilibration volumes to calculate analysis times for four LC modes.
• Assessed profit per sample for in-house (US$45) and contract (US$80) billing rates.

Applied Instrumentation:

• Agilent InfinityLab LC Series: 1260 and 1290 Infinity III systems.
• InfinityLab Assist: automated purging, diagnostics, maintenance scheduling.
• InfinityLab Level Sensing: prevents dry-run damage and solvent shortages.
• InfinityLab Sample ID Reader with Advanced Sample Linking for barcode-driven workflows.
• BlendAssist Software for automated, on-demand solvent mixing.
• Intelligent System Emulation Technology (ISET) for seamless HPLC–UHPLC method transfer.
• Quick Connect and Quick Turn Fittings for error-free column installation.
• Automatic Column Regeneration and Dual Needle Injection for continuous, high-throughput analysis.

Main Results and Discussion

Key findings:

• UHPLC reduces cost per sample by up to 5× and boosts throughput by up to 5.4× versus standard HPLC.
• ROI on UHPLC can be 100× faster when billed at HPLC rates and fully utilized.
• Partial column equilibration saves 30–40% of equilibration time, cutting analysis time and per-sample cost.
• Total sample throughput increases 1.6×–4.9× with fast HPLC to fast UHPLC, depending on equilibration strategy.

Automation advantages:

• InfinityLab Assist saves up to 125.5 hours/year per instrument by automating start-up, shutdown, purging, and diagnostics.
• Level Sensing prevents pump run-dry events, saving ~US$1,500/year in service and consumables.
• Sample ID Reader reduces errors and manual entry, saving 135 hours/year.
• BlendAssist lowers solvent costs by ~15% (US$1,200–1,500/year) through precise, on-demand mixing.
• ISET eliminates the need for additional instruments, saving up to US$16,000/year in purchase and service.
• Quick Connect Fittings prevent column damage, saving ~US$1,500/year.
• ACR with dual needles cuts cycle time by up to 60%, increasing instrument uptime.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Adopting UHPLC and intelligent LC solutions yields:

• Significant reductions in operational costs and labor burden.
• Improved uptime, reliability, and data quality.
• Faster decision cycles through predictable, transparent TCO.
• Enhanced compliance, audit readiness, and risk mitigation.
• Clear financial models for justifying upgrades and expansions.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging directions:

1. AI-driven predictive maintenance to further minimize downtime.
2. Deep integration with LIMS and electronic lab notebooks for end-to-end digital workflows.
3. Cloud-based instrument monitoring and performance benchmarking.
4. Green chromatography with reduced solvent volumes and more sustainable consumables.
5. Advanced simulation and virtual method transfer to accelerate method development.

Conclusion

A lifecycle perspective on LC investments unlocks hidden value, drives sustainable profitability, and enhances laboratory agility. By combining UHPLC performance with automation and predictive features, laboratories can achieve up to 5× lower cost per sample, 5× higher throughput, and substantial annual time and cost savings. Strategic adoption of Agilent InfinityLab LC systems exemplifies how smart LC decisions translate into lasting competitive advantage.

References

1. Role of Cost, Reliability, and Innovation in Selecting LC Instruments, LCGC, 2025.
2. Petersson P.; Euerby M.R. Dwell Volume and Selectivity in Gradient Chromatography, LCGC, 2019.
3. Seidl C.; Stoll D.R. Column Re-equilibration After Gradient Elution: Duration Guidelines, LCGC, 2019.
4. Improving ROI in LC with InfinityLab LC Series, Agilent, White Paper 5991-9120EN, 2019.
5. The LC Side of “Do More with Less”, Agilent, eBook 5994-1326EN, 2019.
6. Confirmation of Sample Position, Agilent Tech. Overview 5994-7568EN, 2024.
7. Sample Position ID and Confirmation, Agilent Tech. Overview 5994-7569EN, 2024.
8. Agilent Advanced Sample Linking, White Paper 5994-7570EN, 2024.
9. Ultrafast Food Preservative Analysis Using ACR and Dual-Needle Injection, Application Note 5991-6150EN, 2024.