Application Note #5

Custom Basic Programming for Agilent Technologies Integrators

Description of Technique:

The Agilent Technologies 3393 and 3396 integrators have been used for chromatographic data acquisition and control of Agilent Technologies gas chromatographs in laboratories for many years. Although the recent trend has been toward the use of personal-computer based data acquisition, there are still situations where a stand-alone integrator is an appropriate solution. Integrators are reliable, robust, provide real-time display, and hard copy for immediate evaluation and archiving. These attributes make integrators a good choice for process labs where robustness and reliability are often of primary concern. The areas where integrators have clearly lagged behind PC- based solutions are in automation, data analysis, and connectivity. Fortunately, the Agilent 3393 and 3396 integrators include a Basic programming option that allows customization and enhancement of integrator operations.

Example Applications:

Automation and control

Create menu-driven shell programs that simplify operation of the integrator, enhance instrument automation, and improve compliance with GLP/GMP record keeping requirements
Control non-Agilent instrumentation via RS-232 communications (see Figure 1)

Data Analysis:

Post-run statistical analysis and control charting
Custom calculations and reporting

Connectivity:

Integrate chromatographic analyses into process control systems
Archiving data and connection with LIMs systems

Figure 1: Instrument Control via Agilent 3396 Integrator

Specific Example: Shell Program for System Automation

On the surface an integrator appears to be a fairly simple piece of equipment to operate. However, occasional users or busy operations personnel often find that remembering the proper integrator commands for each analysis can be difficult. This can result in wasted time and potentially lead to operator error. One goal of automation is to reduce the possibility for operator error by reducing the number of complex or repetitive tasks that human users must perform. Our approach to automating integrator-based analyses is through a Basic "shell" program that provides the operator with a menu of analysis options. The shell program prompts the user for each piece of required information, rather than relying on the user's memory. The program then correctly configures the integrator and instrument according to the users choice, and starts the run. At the end of the run the program can perform a statistical analysis of the results or transfer the results to a LIMs or archiving system. The menu is redisplayed after post run processing is complete.

Partial List of Program Features

Completely automates analyses on Agilent Technologies integrators
Performs instrument diagnostics to determine system readiness prior to starting the analysis
Provides operators with a menu of analysis options
Menu options and analyses can be modified or added easily
Prompts the user for all important analysis parameters and sample information

Example Integrator Output

====================================
         Analysis Menu
====================================
1) Process X Bottoms Analysis
2) Process X Overheads Analysis
3) Process X Product Analysis
4) Process Y Analysis
====================================
Option: 3

-----------------------------------
Process X Product Analysis:
Enter Operator Initials: SJH
Enter Number of Samples:2
Sample #1:
	Sample Name: Lot #QA3-1
	Sample Date: 10-7-94
	Sample Time: 14:31
	Sample Amount (g): 1.34
	ISTD Amount: (g): 0.234

Sample #2:
	Sample Name: Lot #QA3-2
	Sample Date: 10-7-94
	Sample Time: 14:50
	Sample Amount (g): 1.51
	ISTD Amount: (g): 0.251

Place sample vials in the autosampler
Sample	Name	Tray Position
======================================
1	Lot #QA3-1	10
2	Lot #QA3-2	11
======================================

Press [ENTER] to Begin the Run

Loading Sequence, Method & Calib Files...

========================================
Process X Product Analysis
========================================
Operator Initials:  SJH
Sample Name: Lot #QA3-1
Sample Date: 10-7-94
Sample Time: 14:31
Analysis Date: 10-7-94
Analysis Time: 14:45
Sample Amount: 1.34 g
ISTD Amount: 0.234 g



========================================
ISTD ANALYSIS RESULTS:
========================================
RT	TYPE	AREA	WIDTH	HEIGHT
2.541	BB	3552	.032	1750
4.005	BB	2876	.030	1523
6.751	BB	3115	.035	1634

RT	CAL#	AMOUNT	NAME
2.541	1	0.651	Impurity 1
4.005	2&	0.000	ISTD
6.751	3	0.552	Impurity 2
========================================

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