Waters 2489, Operator'S Manual

Page: 208 / 234

D-2 Solvent Considerations
Introduction
Clean solvents
Clean solvents provide reproducible results and permit you to operate with
minimal instrument maintenance.
A dirty solvent can cause baseline noise and drift. It can also block the solvent
filters with particulate matter.
Solvent quality
Use HPLC-grade solvents for the best possible results. Filter solvents through
0.45-µm filters before their use. Solvents distilled in glass generally maintain
their purity from lot to lot; use them to ensure the best possible results.
Preparation checklist
The following solvent preparation guidelines help to ensure stable baselines
and good resolution:
• Filter solvents with a 0.45-µm filter.
• Degas and/or sparge the solvent.
• Stir the solvent.
• Keep in a place free from drafts and shock.
Water
Use water only from a high-quality water purification system. If the water
system does not deliver filtered water, filter it through a 0.45-µm membrane
filter before use.
Using buffers
When you use buffers, dissolve salts first, adjust the pH, then filter to remove
insoluble material.