Comparison of Competitor Refractive Index Detectors.

$: Comparison of Competitor Refractive Index Detectors.$
Comparison of CompetitorRefractive Index Detectors

All of the major HPLC companies sell an RI detector. These are listed below:

Current Manufacturers selling RI Detectors

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•Shodex

•Waters

•Shimadzu

•Knauer

•Jasco

•Hitachi

•Thermo Scientific

•Dionex

•Agilent (RI block)

These companies manufacture their own detector

These companies use Shodex detector/parts

Overview of RID Sales

Global ELSD Market - ca. 2500 units/year

Key RI performance Parameters

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Comparing performance specifications between RI detectors is difficult.

Ideally specifications should be quoted to ASTM standard

However, key performance indicators such as • Short Term Noise

• Drift

These are rarely quoted to ASTM standard and often noise values are quoted with long response times (e.g. 4 s) to give the impression of better performance.


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Short term noise is the best indicator of detector performance, it is typically quoted with no liquid flowing (static)

• Low short term –better S/N

• The best detectors have short term noise <2.5 nRIU

Good short term noise has to be matched with excellent baseline stability (drift)

• Drift is measured with flowing water at 1 mL/min

• Low drift –better S/N and reproducibility

• The best detectors have short term noise <100 nRIU/hr

• The majority of vendors don’t state drift value


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Cell volume is important in determining peak shape

• Low cell volume – lower dispersion and better S/N

• Cell volumes are typically 8 µL, but can be higher for prep RI

• Low cell volumes have to matched with low dead volume at inlet

Accurate temperature control is essential for good detector performance

Adjustable temperature range is needed for different thermal environments

• 30-50 °C is standard range for RI detectors

• Poor temperature control will be evident by high drift


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The majority of RI detectors have similar performance specifications

The key differentiators between instruments are the added features, e.g.

• Fully integrated software control into LC system

• Different sensitivity modes

• Automatic start-up/shutdown

• Performance validation

• Easy maintenance control

• Recycling valve

Overview of Shodex RI-101

8http://www.shodex.com/english/db0301a.html

Model(s)

• RI-101 Analysis (0.2 to 3.0 mL/min)

• RI-104 Semi-micro (0.2 to 1.0 mL/min)

• RI-102 Preparative (1.0 to 50 mL/min)

Performance

• Noise: <2.5 nRIU

• Drift: <100 nRIU/hr

• Cell Volume: 8 µL (2.5 µL RI-104)

• Temperature Range: OFF, 30-50 °C

NOTE: Dionex have a re-sale agreement with Shodex for this detector

Overview of Shodex RI-101


Features

• Automatic start-up function

• Two sensitivity modes

• Easy validation and calibration of the unit.

• External input and output terminals

• RS232C communication ports, enabling automation by combining the detector with various chromatographs.

Software

• Standalone Detector

• Only front panel display for control

Overview of Waters 2414 RID

10 http://www.waters.com/WatersDivision/ContentD.asp?watersit=JDRS-5KJNWU

Model

• 2414 RI Detector

Performance



• Cell Volume: 10 µL

• Temperature Range: 30-55 °C

Features (Waters Web site)

• Lowest dispersion volume – However the cell volume is a large 10 µL

• Innovative thermodynamics ensures temperature stability and performance reproducibility.

• Specially designed electronics and software in the optics bench neutralizes the effects of ambient temperature changes on signal response.

•Recycling valve

Overview of Waters 2414 RID

11 http://www.waters.com/WatersDivision/ContentD.asp?watersit=JDRS-5KJNWU

Software

• Fully automation and control via Alliance system running Empower

• Integrated into Breeze system running Breeze software

Overview of Shimadzu RID-10A

12 http://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/products/product.cfm?product=rid10a

Model

• RID 10-A

Performance




•Temperature Range: OFF, 30-60 °C

Features

•The RID-10A offers a unique, patented 4-partition photodiode technology that offers excellent linearity over a wide concentration range.

•It provides three operating modes for versatility over many applications:

• Analytical

•Analytical to semi-preparative (< 20 mL/min)

•Preparative (to 150 mL/min, with optional bypass valve)

Overview of Shimadzu RID-10A

13

http://www.ssi.shimadzu.com/products/product.cfm?product=rid10a

Features

• Double temperature-controlled housing to minimize baseline drift and enable fast instrument warm-up.

•System checks include automatic optical balance adjustment, a ROM /RAM memory check, a ROM version indication, and a display of lamp hours and lamp energy.

Software

•Plug-and-Play fiber optic connections to System Controller(SCL-10Avp).

•Controlled via EZStart™ Software

Overview of Agilent 1200 RID

14 http://www.chem.agilent.com/Scripts/PDS.asp?lPage=230

Model

• 1200 RI Detector

Performance




• Temperature Range: 5-55 °C

Features

• Autozero can be programmed as part of a method, which balances the photodiodes electrically, and ensures unattended operation of the detector.

• Electronic temperature regulation maintains a steady optical unit temperature up to 55 °C.

• Countercurrent heat exchangers keep the optical unit – and the flow cells – at a constant temperature.

NOTE: Agilent use the Shodex optical block in their detector

Overview of Agilent 1200 RID

15 http://www.chem.agilent.com/Scripts/PDS.asp?lPage=230

Features

• Optimum light level is adjusted automatically to compensate for lamp degradation and flow cell staining.

• Digital signal without the need for external A/D converters.

• Initial setup in typically less than two hours. Warm-up of the module is generally less than one hour for fast startup.

• Recycle valve helps to save solvent costs.

• System can purge the reference cell automatically.

• User-settable limits on time between purging.

Software

•Agilent Chemstation

• ASTM noise calculations can be performed via chemstation

Overview of Knauer 2300

16

http://www.knauer.net/e/e_index.html

Model

• Smartline 2300

Performance

• Noise: <40 nRIU

• Drift: Not Stated

• Cell Volume: 9 µL & 15 µL (prep)

•Temperature Range: Not Stated

Features

• None stated - this is a simple standalone RI detector with analogue output

Software

• Standalone only

Overview of Hitachi L-2490

17

http://www.hitachi-hta.com/pageloader~type~product~id~362~orgid~45.html

Model

• L-2490

Performance





Features

• Same as Shodex R-101

Software

• USB connection to LaChrom Elite software

NOTE: Hitachi use the Shodex optical block in their detector

Overview of Jasco RI 2031

18 http://www.jascoinc.com/products/ch_detect7.html

Model

• RI-2031

Performance

• Noise: Not Stated

• Drift: Not Stated

• Cell Volume: Not Stated

• Temperature Range: Not Stated

Features

• Maximum Flow Rate of 50 mL/min

• Wide dynamic range and extended maximum flow rate enables semi-preparative applications.

• Time Programming Capability

Software

• EZChrom Elite software

Overview of Thermo-Scientific RI-150

19http://www.thermo.com/com/cda/product/detail/0,1055,10867,00.html

Models

• RI-150

Performance





Features

• Low dead-volume flowcell

• Automatic lamp brightness compensation for flowcell stains

• Soft keypad for solvent resistance

• Digital display offers local user control

Software

• Atlas™ Chromatography Data System and A/D converter can collect the analog signal produced by the RI-150

NOTE: The Thermo RI-150 is a Shodex OEM

Summary of RI Market


Shodex are the market leader in refractive index detection, with many major HPLC companies choosing to OEM their detector.

The main application areas for RI detection are GPC and the food & beverage (e.g. sugar) markets.

Overview Table

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Comparison of Competitor Refractive Index Detectors.

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