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Agilent 1290 Infinity LC System Manual and Quick Reference
3
Optimization of the Agilent 1290 Infinity LC System
How to Prevent Column Blockages
How to Prevent Column Blockages
As with any HPLC system, care must be taken to avoid partially or completely
blocking the column or the system tubing through inadvertent use. Problems
caused by material introduced to the system can generally be avoided by
taking the following actions:
•
Filter solvents
•
Filter samples
•
Replace mobile phases regularly
•
Flush buffer salts from the system
An unavoidable source of particulates is the system itself. As with all HPLC
systems, seals will wear out shedding material which will be trapped by frits in
the system necessitating the routine replacement of these frits. Columns
packed with sub-2-micron particles also need frits with small pore size to
prevent packing material being swept out. This immediately brings increased
risk of blocking these frits with particulates from the sample, mobile phase
and from the instrument itself.
To ensure best results follow these simple usage guidelines:
1
Install and run the column only in the flow direction marked on the
column.
2
Use only solvents that are high quality, chromatography grade.
3
Filter all aqueous buffers and all samples through an appropriate 0.2 µm
filter before use.
4
Replace bottles of mobile phase buffer every one to two days. Do not add
mobile phase to the bottle; always use a new bottle.
5
Do not use a high buffer salt mobile phase (> 50 mM) in combination with
high acetonitrile concentrations due to possible precipitation.
6
Use the seal wash option with high concentration buffer mobile phases.
7
An in-line filter (1290 Infinity inline filter, diameter 2 mm, p/n 5067-4638)
is recommended to catch particulates and extend column life.
8
Change the filter when the pressure increases by 10 %.
