Steps for Ensuring Good Column Performance

Step 1 shows you several methods to reduce column failure and increase the usable lifetime of your HPLC columns.

Over the years, advances in column technology have resulted in improved column performance and extended column life. Depending upon the sample and sample matrix, chromatographic conditions, and the column packing itself, an HPLC column can support anywhere from 50 to 2000 injections. Step 2 provides guidelines that can help you achieve the maximum column lifetime for your conditions. Step 3 shows how and when to use a guard column.  This one action can dramatically improve column lifetime.

Even when you practice all of these good habits columns will eventually need to be replaced. Step 4 tells you which HPLC parameters to monitor so that you can spot column failure early and avoid a crisis.

Maximizing the number of analyses you can achieve with an HPLC column saves time and money. If the purchase price of a column is $400, the cost of analysis attributed solely to the column can vary from $0.20 to $8 per injection depending upon the durability of the column. Extending column life maximizes sample throughput and reduces time troubleshooting chromatography problems.

Follow these four steps and you will save time and money in your laboratory.

Steps for Ensuring Good Column Lifetime and Performance:

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