Agilent 7890 Series Gas Chromatographs
2 models with full specifications from Agilent.
The Agilent 7890 Series, comprising the 7890A and 7890B, represents a high-performance platform for gas chromatography. Designed for analytical laboratories demanding high precision and reliability, these systems share a common physical footprint, oven dimension, and pressure control technology. Utilizing 5th-generation Electronic Pneumatics Control (EPC), the 7890 platform provides exceptional retention time repeatability and accurate flow management. This page outlines the specific technical capabilities, including thermal programming, cryogenic cooling, and inlet configurations for both models. This information is intended for technical buyers and laboratory managers selecting the optimal instrument for complex separation workflows.
- Oven Dimensions
- 28 × 31 × 16 cm
- Pressure Setpoint Resolution
- 0.001 psi
- Retention Time Repeatability
- < 0.0008 min (< 0.008%)
- Cool-down Time
- 4.0 min (450 °C to 50 °C)
- Unit Weight
- 49 kg
Models in this series
| Model | Type | Capillary Flow Technology (CFT) | Column Capacity | Cryogenic Cooling Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7890A | *misc. | Supported (Deans Switch, Splitters, Purged Ultimate Union) | Up to two 105 m x 0.530 mm id capillary columns or two 10-ft glass/stainless steel packed columns | Liquid N2 (-80 °C to 450 °C), Liquid CO2 (-40 °C to 450 °C) |
| 7890B | *misc. | Supported (Deans switch, splitters, purges, backflush) | Accommodates up to two 105 m capillary columns | Liquid Nitrogen (-80 °C to 450 °C) or Liquid CO2 (-40 °C to 450 °C) |
Shared Platform Architecture
Both the Agilent 7890A and Agilent 7890B are constructed on a standardized chassis, measuring 580 × 490 × 510 mm and weighing 49 kg. This shared footprint ensures physical drop-in compatibility when upgrading or adding instruments to existing bench space. Each system features an internal oven measuring 28 × 31 × 16 cm.
At the core of both systems is the 5th-generation Electronic Pneumatics Control (EPC) module. This technology provides a pressure setpoint resolution of 0.001 psi, ensuring highly stable gas flows. Standard atmospheric and barometric pressure compensation is built into the platform, minimizing the impact of environmental changes on separation consistency.
Thermal Control and Programmed Heating
The 7890 platform offers advanced thermal control to ensure precise analytical run conditions:
- Temperature Range: The standard operating range spans from ambient +4 °C up to 450 °C. With optional cryogenic cooling modules, limits expand down to -80 °C using Liquid Nitrogen or -40 °C using Liquid Carbon Dioxide.
- Ramp Rates: Both systems support up to 20 temperature ramps and 21 plateaus. The oven is capable of a maximum heating rate of up to 120 °C/min (dependent on oven voltage configuration, such as the 240V configuration for the 7890B).
- Cool-down Speed: Rapid thermal cycles are supported by a fast cool-down mechanism, dropping the oven temperature from 450 °C to 50 °C in 4.0 minutes at an ambient temperature of 22 °C.
Configuration and System Flexibility
The differences between the models lie primarily in their inlet options and channel configurations. The Agilent 7890A is highly customizable, supporting an array of inlet types including Split/Splitless (S/SL), Multimode (MMI), Purged Packed, Cool On-Column (COC), Programmable Temperature Vaporizing (PTV), and Volatiles Interface (VI). It is compatible with multiple carrier gases, including Helium, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, and Argon/Methane.
The Agilent 7890B expands configuration capacity with support for up to 2 inlet channels and up to 6 independent heated zones (comprising 2 inlets, 2 detectors, and 2 auxiliary zones, excluding the oven). It can accommodate up to two 105 m capillary columns and offers a split ratio range up to 7500:1 for the Split/Splitless capillary inlet, making it highly suited for complex high-concentration samples.
Frequently asked questions
- What power supplies do these gas chromatographs require?
- The platform is configuration-dependent and supports power supplies of 120 V, 200 V, 220 V, 230 V, and 240 V (48-63 Hz), pulling up to 2950 W.
- How do environmental temperature shifts affect oven stability?
- The platform includes ambient temperature and barometric pressure compensation as standard. The 7890A has an ambient rejection rating of less than 0.01 °C per 1 °C change in ambient temperature.