When using detectors with a Max-Light flow cell (fiber-optic based), have any of you ever had to replace the cell after 5 years or more of use, due to absorption/blocking in the UV region proven by the intensity test?
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When using detectors with a Max-Light flow cell (fiber-optic based), have any of you ever had to replace the cell after 5 years or more of use, due to absorption/blocking in the UV region proven by the intensity test?
Five years is quite a long time. We do not specify a lifespan for our cells. That would also be more than difficult, since we have no information about the customer's samples, the pH used, his solvent quality, his rinsing behavior, etc. I recommend not only using fresh water on a regular basis - preferably even at higher flow rates - but also using organic substances such as isopropanol afterwards. This makes it easier to flush lipophilic impurities or oligomers/polymers that come from acetonitrile out of the system. Furthermore, depending on the samples, there could be denaturation of proteins, which will lower the performance of the cell. For such samples, I suggest using an LSS flow cell.
Keep in mind that the intensity test is always a result, where cell, optical unit and D2-lamp contribute to.
HI, from my experience i can say - max-light cell its peace of ****, 5 years - its amazing time for this cell. Agilent classify cells as a consumables, no difference between capillaries and optical cells from business view
Classifying this part as consumable just means this part being directly orderable by customers instead of having it classified as a service-part. A flow cell is a part that can be installed directly by users, so there is no need for restricting it to service. Classifying it as consumable doesn't specify anything regarding it's expected lifetime. But yes, it can be like a capillary - you can use it correctly and expect a very long lifetime but it is also possible that you can crash it in an instance if using it the wrong way or out of specs.