Shimadzu Advanced Flow Technology:

Heart Cut Software

User Manual

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NOTICE
(1) All rights are reserved, including those to reproduce this
publication or parts there of in any form without permission in
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(2) Information in this publication is subject to change without notice
and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor.
(3) Any errors or omissions which may have occurred in this
publication despite the utmost care taken in its production will be
corrected as soon as possible, but not necessarily immediately
upon detection.
(4) Repair and maintenance parts of this model are supplied until
seven years pass from stopping production of this model. After that,
those parts cannot be supplied. Please be forewarned. However,
except incorrupt parts of Shimadzu Corporation, other corporation
produces those parts and decides the length of provision.
(5) Copyright © 2009 Shimadzu Corporation

Notice
The equipment may be different from the parts or figures of this manual for
production improvement. And the parts in this manual are not all maintenance
and repair parts.
This manual contains technical know-how about this equipment. Bring this
manual back necessarily after installing or fixing the equipment.

System Requirements
GCsolution (Ver.2.32 or later) or GCMSsolution (Ver.2.53 or later) is required for
loading GCsolution or GCMSsolution method files and data files on this software.

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1.Overview

A Heart Cut GC/GCMS system performs separation using two columns that have
different chemical characteristics. This system is based on the use of a capillary
pressure switch which is also used in the MDGC.
Peaks that are insufficiently separated by a single column are introduced ("heart-cut")
to a second, different column (the "2nd column") where a complementary separation is
completed.
Unlike the MDGC-2010 with two ovens this heart cut system uses one GC oven .

2.Overview of Software

2.1 Specification for PC

This software is for Windows XP Professional, Vista Business.

The following specification is necessary.
CPU:Intel Pentium dual core processor
RAM:1GB，
HDD:80GB，
Drive：DVD-ROM&CD-R/RW，

2.2 Function of the software

Shimadzu Heart Cut module (Switching Unit) controls the outlet pressure of the column.
This software facilitates the operation of the Switching Unit by integrating the
pressure set points, pressure program timing and monitors the column outlet and split
vent gas flows.
All parameters set in this module will be downloaded to GCsolution or GCMSsolution
method files.

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2.3 Launching of the software

Double-click on the file to open it Shimadu AFT.

Program launcher appears, and double-clicks the launcher.

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2.4 Construction of the software
This software consists of three program windows.

2.4.1.Method Setting Window

Switching recovery

Area for parameters

Area for chromatogram

Area for program

Menu
File : for opening the method file or closing the method file.
View : for monitoring the chromatogram.
Setting : for monitoring switching program window.
Help : for monitoring the Version No. or this manual.

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Tool bar
Open : for opening the method file.
View : for monitoring the chromatogram.
Save : for saving the method file.
Configuration : for opening the Configuration window.
Method setting

Flow control mode : monitoring constant pressure mode or constant linear velocity
mode.
Carrier gas：kind of the carrier gas
Pressure : pressure of the injection port
Total flow : total flow of the carrier gas
Purge flow : purge flow of the injection port
Split ratio : split ratio of the injection port

1st Column
Linear Velocity : linear velocity of the 1st column
Column flow : column flow of the 1st column
Column Length : length of the 1st column
Film Thickness : thickness of the liquid phase of the 1st column
Column ID : diameter of the 1st column
APC pressure : pressure of the switching unit.
Column temperature : initial temperature of the column oven program

2nd column
Velocity : linear velocity of the 1st column
Column flow : column flow of the 1st column
Length : length of the 1st column
Thickness : thickness of the liquid phase of the 1st column
Diameter : diameter of the 1st column
Area for chromatogram
This area monitors the chromatogram for setting the switching program.

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Area for program
This area monitors the column oven temperature program and switching program.

Switching recovery
Switching recovery is showed. Please refer to chapter 4.

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2.4.2 Program setting window Area for chromatogram

Area for expanded

chromatogram

Area for program

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 2.4.3. Configuration Window

LabSolution Type ： For GC,please select GCsolution. For GCMS please select
MSsolution
Name of the 1st column :
Program event : Event 110 performs the switch
Only switching program is written to Solution：If this mode is selected, only the
switching program is written to the method file of GCsolution or MSsolution. When
not selected, all parameters are uploaded to the main software window.

3. Procedure of Analysis

The Heart Cut module must be installed in GC.

Procedure of Analysis
Summary of procedure of analysis is the following.

1. Change the configuration of the solution method file.

2. Opening the method file
3. Checking the method file
4. Analysis without Heart Cut Mode

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 5. Develop a Heart Cut Program
6. Analysis using the Heart Cut Mode

3.1 Configuration

Add APC to the configuration of GCsolution or GCMSsolution. Then, close GC

solution or GCMS solution software.

Then start the Heart Cut Software. First, select GCsolution or GCMSsolution in
configuration of Heart Cut software.

3.2 Opening the method file

Opening the method file

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When the GC/GCMS solution method is opened you will note that parameters in the shaded
blue areas cannot be changed in this screen. To change these parameters navigate
to the main software page.
Caution : There may be some small calculation difference between this software and
GC/GCMS solution of less than 1kPa.
3.3 Checking the method file

Please set the instrument parameters in this window. Confirm that the switching
recovery is 100% (refer to chapter 4)

Please change the parameter of 2nd column in the configuration window.

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 NOTE
For changes in the parameters of GC or GCMSsolutions to take effect. The software must
be closed and reopened.

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 Finally, click “Save” button on tool bar to save parameters.

The characters “-HeartCut” are automatically added to the original file name
in save dialog. When checkbox “overwrite save” is checked, the file is overwritten.
(“-HeartCut”is not added) To save a file with other name is also available

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 NOTE
After saving the method of GC/GCMS solution,do not change the parameters about the
flow.

By saving the method ,this software calculates then writes the correct column
flow ,velocity ,and split ratio to GC/GCMS solution. Each time changes are made
it is important to resave the method.
These parameters should not changed in GCsolution/MSsolution.
Please change in this software.

Thisa parameters should not changed in GCsoliton/MSsolution.

Please change in this software.

3.4 Analysis without Heart Cut Mode

Analyze with the method file which was made in 3.1.4. It is not necessary to use this
HeartCut software for this analysis. Please close HeartCut Software and start
GC/GCMS solution. Then, open this method file in GC/GCMS Solution and use it.
After the analysis, check the method and the result, and confirm optimized method.

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[Caution]
For HeartCut analysis with the linear velocity mode ,the linear velocity is not
correct. Please use pressure mode.

3.5 Develop a Heart Cut Program

Please open a method file which was made in 3.1.5 by HeartCut software. The procedure
is the same with 3.1.3. And, open the chromatogram which was acquired in 3.1.5. The
chromatogram is displayed in the chromatogram area.

Chromatogram

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Please open the HeartCut program window,

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 Double click the point where the HeartCut Mode is on in this chromatogram area.
The pressure program is automatically generated. The peaks with diagonal lines are
reverse to the column inlet by HeartCut Mode.

By pushing the Event button ,the event program of GC/GCMS solution is monitoredBY
By pushing the“Clip board” button, the event program is copied to clip board in your PC.

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3.6 Analysis using the Heart Cut Mode

For HeartCut analysis this HeartCut software is not used. Close this HeartCut
software and open the method made in 3.1.6 with GC/GCMS solution, and start
analysis.

4. What is switching recovery

Switching recovery shows the proportion in which the sample is introduced to the 2nd
column in HeartCut mode.
Ex. The switching recovery is 100%

ALL the peak

is disappeared.

HeartCut analysis
End of HeartCut mode

Start of HeartCut mode

Ex. The switching recovery is 70%

30 ％ of the
peak area is
remained

HeartCut analysis
End of HeartCut mode

Start of HeartCut mode

Usually 100% of switching recovery is recommended.

The switching recovery is changed with the error of the dimension of the columns.

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4．Error message

When the APC pressure is higher than the inlet pressure, this message is displayed.
Set the APC pressure to a lower value or set the inlet pressure to the higher value.

When GCsoliton/MSsolution is not installed, this massage is displayed.

Please install GCsoliton/MSsolution.

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