IonPac CS14 Manual
Doc. No. 034848-10
Page 52 of 54
APPENDIX B - COLUMN CARE
Recommended Operating Pressures
Operating a column above its recommended pressure limit can cause irreversible loss of column performance. The maximum
recommended operating pressure for the IonPac CS14 Analytical or Guard Column is 4,000 psi (27.57 MPa).
Formation of esters will occur in the column packing.
This can significantly reduce the column capacity for cation exchange.
Do not use the CS14 column with basic eluents.
Column Start-Up
The column is shipped with eluent as the storage solution. This eluent is the same one shown in the test chromatogram. If you
plan to use an eluent other than the test eluent, first equilibrate the column with the desired eluent for 30 to 60 minutes. The
column is equilibrated when two consecutive injections of the standard produce the same retention times.
Column Storage
The column’s storage solution should be the eluent used for the particular application. If the column will not be used for one
week or more, prepare it for long term storage by flushing the column for a few minutes with the eluent. Cap both ends
securely, using the plugs supplied with the column.
Column Conditioning
For sample matrices that contain organic solvent content, it is recommended to condition the column with the following
procedure:
A. Disconnet the column and direct the column effluent to a waste container.
B.
Rinse the column for 90 minutes with 0.5 mN sulfuric acid and 10% acetonitrile.
C.
Rinse the column for 30 minutes with eluent.
D. Reconnect the column to the suppressor.
Column Cleanup
The following column cleanup protocols have been divided into two general isocratic protocols:
A. Acid soluble contaminants
B.
Hydrophobic cations and organic contaminants.
Always ensure that the cleanup protocol used does not switch between eluents which may create high pressure eluent
interface zones in the column. High pressure zones can disrupt the uniformity of the packing of the column bed and irreversibly
damage the performance of the column. High pressure zones in the column can be created by pumping successive eluents
through the column that are not miscible, that have eluent components in one eluent that will precipitate out in the other
eluent or by using an acid eluent followed by a base eluent which may create a neutralization pressure band. The precipitation
of the salts in solvents during column rinses can result in very high pressure zones. High viscosity mixing zones can be
created between two eluents having solvents with a very high energy of mixing.
When in doubt, always include short column rinse steps to reduce the solvent content of the eluent to < 5% levels and the
ionic strength of the eluent to < 50 mM levels. This intermediate low concentration step will prevent precipitation or high
viscosity zones. Avoid creating high pressure zones in the column that may disrupt the uniformity of the column packing.
CAUTION
