The Shimadzu SIL-20AC HT is a high-pressure Prominence-series autosampler designed for precise and reproducible automated sample injection in HPLC and LC-MS systems. It combines variable-volume total-volume direct injection with a maximum operating pressure of 35 MPa and integrated sample temperature control from 4 to 40 °C. The instrument is particularly suited to automated sample sequences, sensitive LC-MS/MS workflows, and applications requiring controlled sample temperature.
The SIL-20AC HT is the high-pressure version of the SIL-20AC. It retains the integrated sample cooler with dehumidification while increasing maximum operating pressure from 20 to 35 MPa.
Total-Volume Direct Injection
The SIL-20AC HT uses total-volume direct injection with variable injection volume.
- Standard range: 0.1–100 µL
- With optional hardware: up to 2000 µL.
HT High-Pressure Configuration
The defining difference from the standard SIL-20AC is its increased pressure capability:
- SIL-20AC: 20 MPa maximum
- SIL-20AC HT: 35 MPa maximum
This matches the “35 MPa max. pressure” marking on the front panel of the offered instrument.
Sample Temperature Control
The SIL-20AC HT incorporates an integrated block-type sample cooler/heater with dehumidification.
- Temperature range: 4–40 °C
- Active sample cooling and heating
- Integrated dehumidification
- Stable temperature during long unattended sequences.
Sample Capacity
Supported configurations include:
- 175 × 1 mL vials
- 70 × 1.5 mL vials
- 50 × 4 mL vials
- 2 × 96-well MTP/DWP = 192 samples
- 2 × 384-well MTP/DWP = 768 samples
- additional 10 × 1.5 mL control vial positions.
Injection Performance
Under specified conditions:
- Injection-volume accuracy: ≤±1%
- Injection-volume precision: ≤0.3% RSD
- Typical precision: ≤0.2% RSD
These specifications support quantitative HPLC and LC-MS/MS workflows.
Carryover Control
The needle, valve, and sample flow path are designed to minimize cross-contamination.
- Maximum carryover: ≤0.005%
- Typical carryover under specified conditions: approximately ≤0.0025%
- Needle rinsing can be programmed before and after injection.
Programmable Needle Rinsing
Rinsing parameters can be configured according to the method, including:
- rinse mode,
- rinse time,
- rinse volume,
- rinse speed,
- external rinse where configured.
This allows the method to be optimized for both carryover performance and cycle time.
Repeated Injections
Up to 30 repeated injections per sample can be programmed.
This is useful for:
- precision studies,
- QC injections,
- validation workflows,
- repeated analyses from the same vial.
Rack Changer Compatibility
An optional Rack Changer can extend sample capacity to as many as 12 microplates, supporting long unattended sequences.
Control and Integration
The autosampler can be operated:
- from its front-panel controls,
- through a Shimadzu system controller,
- as part of a Prominence LC system,
- through compatible chromatography software.
Available control parameters include injection volume, cooler temperature, rinse functions, purge, sample speed, needle stroke, microplate settings, and Rack Changer functions.
Technical Specifications
- Type: High-pressure temperature-controlled HPLC autosampler
- Injection Method: Total-volume direct injection
- Injection Volume: Variable
- Standard Injection Range: 0.1–100 µL
- Optional Injection Range: 0.1–2000 µL
- Maximum Operating Pressure: 35 MPa
- Injection-Volume Accuracy: ≤±1%
- Injection-Volume Precision: ≤0.3% RSD
- Typical Precision: ≤0.2% RSD
- Carryover: ≤0.005%
- Typical Carryover: approx. ≤0.0025%
- Repeated Injections: max. 30 per sample
- Needle Rinsing: Programmable before and after injection
- Sample Temperature Range: 4–40 °C
- Dehumidification: Yes
- 1 mL Vial Capacity: 175
- 1.5 mL Vial Capacity: 70 + 10 control positions
- 4 mL Vial Capacity: 50
- 96-Well Plates: 2 / 192 samples
- 384-Well Plates: 2 / 768 samples
- Ambient Operating Temperature: 4–35 °C
- Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 260 × 415 × 500 mm
- Weight: approx. 30 kg.
