Clarity Control Module AGILENT 68XX

Importance of the Topic

The precise control and integration of gas chromatographs are essential for reproducible separations, accurate quantification and automated workflows in modern analytical laboratories. Clarity’s Agilent 68xx Control Module enables direct management of a wide range of GC instruments (Agilent 6890, 6890N, 6820, 6850) and their autosamplers through COM, LAN or analog interfaces. This integration reduces manual intervention, minimizes errors and improves throughput.

Objectives and Overview of the Control Module

The manual aims to guide users through installation, configuration and operation of Clarity’s Agilent 68xx Control Module. It covers hardware and software requirements, connection types, configuration dialogs, method setup sub-tabs (Oven/Zones, Inlet, Detector, Column, Signals, Valves, Time Events, Auxiliary, Gradients), autosampler sequences (active and passive), device monitoring and troubleshooting procedures. This comprehensive overview ensures that both novice and experienced users can implement a robust GC control environment.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The integration workflow involves:

• Hardware setup: connecting GC (RS-232, LAN or analog) and autosamplers (Agilent 7673, 7683, 7693, 6850) to a PC running Clarity with GC Control module (A23) and optional autosampler license (A26).
• Communication configuration: standard RS-232 settings (8-2-N, typical 9600-57600 baud), cross-wired DB9F-DB9F or direct LAN with fixed IPs; firewall and DHCP considerations.
• Clarity software configuration: adding the Agilent 68xx driver in System Configuration, setting protocol parameters, detecting device version, mapping instruments to GC or acquisition channels, and defining digital input/output for start sequences.
• Method development: programming temperature gradients, inlet and detector parameters, column pressure or flow modes, signal ranges, valve actions, time-based events, auxiliary functions and autosampler routines through dedicated tabs.
• Digital acquisition: direct GC data streaming via LAN or COM to Clarity or optional analog capture via A/D converter (e.g., DataApex Colibrick).

Main Features and Discussion

The module supports full control of oven zones, inlets, detectors and columns with programmable gradients, pressure or flow ramps, split ratios, purges, cryo cooling and post-run sequences. Autosampler integration allows passive and active injection workflows with pre- and post-wash cycles, viscosity delays and needle depth adjustments. Device Monitor provides real-time view of temperatures, and Hardware Configuration dialogs reveal installed options. Troubleshooting is simplified by communication logging via COMMDRV.INI and diagnostics of common issues (host not ready, buffer overflow, DHCP conflicts). Flexible driver capabilities include dual-injection support and multi-GC operation on a single PC using hubs, switches or MultiCOM adapters.

Benefits and Practical Applications

By automating GC and autosampler control, laboratories can increase sample throughput, improve method reproducibility and reduce operator workload. The module is well suited for routine QA/QC analyses, research projects, environmental monitoring and industrial applications. Centralized control and standardized methods help maintain compliance with regulatory standards and ensure data integrity.

Future Trends and Possibilities for Application

Future developments may include integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), cloud-based remote monitoring, advanced scheduling algorithms, IoT connectivity and AI-driven method optimization. These enhancements will further streamline workflows and enable predictive maintenance of analytical instruments.

Conclusion

Clarity’s Agilent 68xx Control Module offers a comprehensive solution for managing gas chromatographs and autosamplers within a unified software environment. Its flexible configuration options, robust method setup capabilities and diagnostic tools support high-throughput operations and reliable data acquisition.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 6890, 6890N, 6820 and 6850 gas chromatographs
• Agilent autosamplers 7673, 7683, 7693 and ALS 6850
• Clarity Chromatography Station with GC Control Module (A23) and AS Control Module (A26)
• Communication interfaces: RS-232 (DB9), LAN (Ethernet), analog A/D converter (DataApex Colibrick)
• Accessories: serial cross cable (SK01), cross LAN cable (SK08), MultiCOM adapter (MC01)

Reference

DataApex Ltd. Clarity Control Module for Agilent 68xx GC; Code/Rev. M041/90A; Date 2024-05-14.