Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph
Data Sheet
Chromatographic
Performance*
• Retention time repeatability
< 0.008% or < 0.0008 min
• Area repeatability < 1%RSD
The Agilent 7890B is a state-of-the-art
gas chromatograph that provides supe-
rior performance for all applications.
Key to its performance is the use of
advanced electronic pneumatic control
(EPC) modules and high performance
GC oven temperature control. Each EPC
unit is optimized for its intended use
with a specific inlet and detector
option.
GC oven temperature control of the
7890B oven allows for fast and precise
temperature ramping. Overall thermal
performance provides optimal chro-
matography including peak symmetry,
retention time repeatability, and
retention index accuracy.
The combination of precise pneumatic
and temperature control leads to
extremely precise retention time repro-
ducibility, which is the basis for all
chromatographic measurement.
Agilent’s proprietary Capillary Flow
Technology provides a new dimension
in chromatography with reliable, leak-
free, in-oven capillary connections that
stand up to repeated GC oven cycling
over time. The 7890B GC has enhanced
firmware to extend Capillary Flow capa-
bilities and enhanced datasystem soft-
ware to simplify set-up and operation of
backflush. Programmable Eco-friendly
Sleep Mode reduces power and gas
consumption during periods of inactiv-
ity, while Wake Mode readies the
system for high-throughput operation.
Other new tools and popular calculators
such as Method Translator, Vapor
Volume Calculator, Pressure Flow
Calculator, and Solvent Vent Calculator
make it easier to analyze complex
matrices and unknowns, and provide
gains in productivity and data integrity
for routine analyses via 2-dimensional
heart cutting, detector splitting, and
column backflushing. These tools are
integrated within the Agilent Data
Systems and calculated values are
automatically transferred to the method
editor.
The 7890B GC has advanced built-in
capabilities to monitor system
resources (counters, electronic logs
and diagnostics). Now with integrated
early maintenance feedback which
track either number of injections or
time of use allow for planned mainte-
nance to eliminate unnecessary down-
time. Agilent GC systems are known for
their reliability, ruggedness, and long
life. The Agilent 10-year use guarantee
provides greater assurance for a low-
cost of ownership throughout the GC’s
life.
*Using 7890B with EPC (splitless), ALS and Agilent Data
System for analysis of tetradecane (2 ng to the column).
Results may vary with other samples and conditions.
2
System Capabilities
• Supports simultaneously:
- Two inlets
- Three detectors (third detector
as TCD or ECD)
- Four detector signals
• State-of-the-art detector electronics
and the full-range digital data path
enable peaks to be quantified over
the entire concentration range of the
detector (10
7
for the FID) in a single
run.
• Full EPC is available for all inlets and
detectors. Control range and resolu-
tion are optimized for the specific
inlet or detector module.
• Up to six EPC modules can be
installed, providing control of up to
16 channels of EPC.
• Pressure setpoint and contol preci-
sion to 0.001 psi provides more
retention time locking precision for
low-pressure applications.
• EPC with capillary columns provides
four column flow control modes:
constant pressure, ramped pressure
(3 ramps), constant flow, or ramped
flow (3 ramps). Column average
linear velocity is calculated.
• Atmospheric pressure and tempera-
ture compensation is standard, so
results do not change, even when
the laboratory environment does.
• Low Thermal Mass (LTM) Series II
system can be added to achieve
fastest cycle times via rapid LTM
capillary column module heating and
cooling.
• Serial port interface for Remote
Advisor or Optional Bar Code Reader.
• One-button access to maintenance
and service modes from the
keyboard
• Preprogrammed leak tests
• Automatic Liquid Sampling is fully
integrated into mainframe control.
• Setpoint and automation control can
be done from the local keyboard or
via a networked data system. Clock-
time programming can be initiated
from the front panel to initiate
events (on/off, method start, etc.) at
a future date and time.
• A run time deviation log is created
for each analysis to ensure that all
method parameters were achieved
and maintained.
• A full array of traditional gas sam-
pling and column switching valves
are available
• 550 timed events
• Display of all GC and ALS setpoints
at the GC or data system.
• Context-sensitive online help
Column Oven
• Dimensions: 28 × 31 × 16 cm.
Accommodates up to two 105 m ×
0.530 mm id capillary columns or two
10-ft glass packed columns (9 in. coil
diameter, 1/4 in. od), or two 20-ft
stainless steel packed columns
(1/8 in. od).
• Operating temperature range suit-
able for all columns and chromato-
graphic separations. Ambient
temperature +4 °C to 450 °C.
- With LN
2
cryogenic cooling:
–80 to 450 °C.
- With CO
2
cryogenic cooling:
–40 to 450 °C.
• Temperature setpoint resolution:
0.1 °C.
• Supports 20 oven ramps with
21 plateaus. Negative ramps are
allowed.
• Maximum achievable temperature
ramp rate: 120 °C/min (120 V units
are limited to 75 °C/min, see
Table 1).
• Maximum run time: 999.99 min
(16.7 h).
• Oven cool down (22 °C ambient) 450
to 50 °C in 4.0 min (3.5 min with
oven insert accessory).
• Ambient rejection: < 0.01 °C per 1 °C.
Electronic Pneumatics
Control (EPC)
• Compensation for barometric pres-
sure and ambient temperature
changes is standard.
• Pressure has typical control of
±0.001 psi for the range of 0 to
150 psi. Pressure setpoints may be
adjusted in increments of 0.001 for
the range 0.000 to 99.999 psi;
0.01 psi for the range 100.00 to
150.00 psi.
• User may select pressure units as
psi, kPa, or bar.
• Pressure/flow ramps: Three
maximum.
• Carrier and makeup gas settings
selectable for He, H
2
, N
2
, and
argon/methane.
• Flow or pressure setpoints for each
inlet or detector parameter with both
Agilent 7890B and Agilent
ChemStations.
Table 1. Typical 7890B GC Oven Ramp Rates
Temperature 120 V Oven* Fast ramp rates** (°C/min)
range (°C) rates (°C/min) Dual-Channel Single-Channel***
50 to 70 75 120 120
70 to 115 45 95 120
115 to 175 40 65 110
175 to 300 30 45 80
300 to 450 20 35 65
* Results obtained with line voltage maintained at 120V
** Fast ramp rates require power > 200 volts at > 15 Amps.
***Requires G2646-60500 oven insert accessory.