Function
Part
Function
Part
Bottom mobile phase inlet/
outlet
8
Top mobile phase inlet/outlet
4
4.3
Bed supports
Bed support porosity
Background
GE Healthcare provides two different bed support porosities for AxiChrom columns, 10
µm and 20 µm. Top and bottom bed supports, adapters and bottom plates for 10 and
20 µm porosity are not physically interchangeable for AxiChrom 50 and 70 columns with
stainless steel bed supports. Instead, all four column parts must be changed in order to
change porosity.
Recommended porosity
The porosity of the bed support should be less than or equal to 1/3 of the average particle
size of the media. This ensures that all particles are larger than the holes in the bed
support. Using a bed support with a larger porosity results in particles passing or getting
caught in the bed support, leading to poor bed efficiency and, for a clogged bed support,
high pressure.
Separate 10 µm and 20 µm parts (stainless steel bed support)
For 50 and 70 columns with stainless steel bed supports only: All affected parts that are
compatible with 10 µm bed supports are marked with 10 µm.
The marking on the bed supports are not visible after assembly.
Note:
Porosity dependent AxiChrom 50 and 70 column parts.
Part name
70 column
50 column
Pos no
1
Adapter 70
Adapter 50
501
Bottom plate 70
Bottom plate 50
502
Bed support top 70
Bed support top 50
301
Bed support bottom 70
Bed support bottom 50
302
1
Position number in the exploded diagrams in Appendices A-C.
32
AxiChrom 50, 70 and 100 columns Operating instructions 28-9331-08 AG
4 Getting started
4.2 Identifying the main components of the column
