Comparing the Energy Consumption of Different LC Single Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Systems

Significance of the Topic

Laboratory instrumentation represents a substantial portion of institutional energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. As laboratories increasingly adopt sustainability targets and track environmental metrics, methods to quantify and reduce instrument-level energy consumption are critical for meeting net-zero goals while controlling operating costs. Real-time monitoring and lifecycle-focused product evaluation enable data-driven procurement and operations decisions that reduce both environmental footprint and total cost of ownership.

Study Objectives and Overview

This poster compares the energy consumption and operational impacts of two single‑quadrupole LC–MS configurations from Agilent: the InfinityLab Pro iQ Mass Detector (G6160B) and the InfinityLab Pro iQ Plus Mass Detector (G6170A), each used with an Agilent 1290 Infinity III LC front end. The work combines product lifecycle evaluation using the My Green Lab ACT Ecolabel with continuous, instrument-level power and environmental monitoring via Agilent CrossLab Connect to assess upfront and operational sustainability and cost metrics.

Methodology

The assessment followed two complementary approaches:

• Product-level lifecycle assessment inputs: evaluation of ACT Ecolabel scores for both Pro iQ and Pro iQ Plus to compare design, materials, supported lifetime, energy impacts, end-of-life options, and manufacturer-level commitments to emissions reduction.
• Operational monitoring: real-time measurement of electrical energy (kWh), line current, ambient temperature (AT), and relative humidity (RH) for LC–MS systems under routine use. An Agilent Advanced Power Sensor (SST-APS-1015) and a wireless communication module (SST-WIFI-02) streamed encrypted sensor packets over 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi to Agilent CrossLab Connect at 5 packets per second, generating approximately 55 MB/day across the fleet. Analytics inferred instrument state (idle, initialization/calibration, run) and produced energy and cost reports based on local electricity rates.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent InfinityLab Pro iQ Mass Detector (G6160B)
• Agilent InfinityLab Pro iQ Plus Mass Detector (G6170A)
• Agilent 1290 Infinity III LC (G7104A) with multisampler (G7167B), Multicolumn Thermostat (G7116B), and Diode Array Detector (G7117B)
• MS45 rotary vane pump (in quiet cover)
• Agilent Advanced Power Sensor (SST-APS-1015)
• Agilent Communication Module (SST-WIFI-02) and Agilent CrossLab Connect platform
• InfinityLab Assist and related level sensing modules for operational telemetry

Key Results and Discussion

• ACT Ecolabel evaluation: Both detectors were profiled by the My Green Lab ACT Ecolabel, which assigns a weighted 100‑point score reflecting energy use, materials, hazard potential, supported lifetime and end-of-life options, plus manufacturer sustainability practices. The ecolabel provides a transparent, third‑party‑verified basis for procurement comparisons.
• Operational energy monitoring: Continuous telemetry captured instrument power usage across states (system initialization/calibration, active runs of different durations, and idle). The platform successfully correlated line current and power consumption with instrument activity, and tracked ambient temperature and relative humidity nearby the instrument to flag environmental excursions that could affect assay risk.
• Data handling and visibility: CrossLab Connect streamed encrypted power and environmental data to a secure cloud where analytics inferred utilization and returned dashboards showing kWh consumption, estimated operating cost (using local kWh rates), and utilization metrics. An illustrative cost profile was generated using local rates (example shown for Cedar Creek, TX).
• Operational insights: Real‑time data allowed identification of idle‑time waste and periods of elevated energy draw (e.g., during initialization or frequent short runs). These insights support interventions such as scheduling, automated standby modes, or procurement choices favoring lower‑consumption models.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Procurement: Combining ACT Ecolabel scores with monitored operational performance enables procurement teams to select instruments that minimize lifecycle environmental impact rather than relying only on performance specs or capital cost.
• Facility management: Continuous monitoring feeds into lab asset management, enabling energy cost allocation, identification of inefficient usage patterns, and targeted energy‑saving measures.
• Operational savings: Visibility into per‑instrument kWh and cost supports scheduling and utilization changes that reduce energy consumption and lower operating budgets.
• Quality assurance: Environmental monitoring (AT and RH) colocated with instruments helps detect excursions that could compromise assays, prompting preventative actions.

Limitations

• Poster scope: The results are representative of Agilent systems in a specific setup; absolute numbers will vary with laboratory configuration, local electricity rates, and user workflows.
• Data breadth: The monitoring example presents single‑fleet instances and illustrative cost calculations; broader fleet studies across multiple sites would strengthen generalizability.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

• Fleet optimization and benchmarking: Scaling telemetry across multi‑site fleets will enable benchmarking, predictive maintenance, and automated workload distribution to minimize collective energy use.
• Automation for energy reduction: Integration with laboratory scheduling and autosampler workflows could automatically shift instruments into low‑power states during predictable idle windows without compromising throughput.
• Carbon accounting and compliance: Per‑instrument energy data can feed institutional greenhouse gas inventories and support compliance with corporate sustainability commitments and regulatory reporting.
• Lifecycle design influence: Ecolabel-driven procurement will encourage manufacturers to prioritize energy efficiency, recyclability, and reduced material hazard, accelerating product innovation toward net‑zero goals.

Conclusion

Integrating product‑level lifecycle evaluation (ACT Ecolabel) with continuous, instrument‑level energy and environmental monitoring (CrossLab Connect) provides actionable intelligence that helps laboratories reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and mitigate assay risk. The combined approach supports sustainable procurement, smarter operations, and progress toward institutional decarbonization objectives while preserving analytical performance.

References

• Agilent Technologies. 2023 Agilent Frost & Sullivan Survey.