YMC Europe GmbH
Operation
YMC Pilot
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PLUS
low pressure chromatography column
6.2
Pilot column packing
CAREFUL
Packing material
Eye and skin injuries possible through contact with packing material.
► Wear the prescribed personnel protective equipment.
Two different procedures are common for slurry packing the column:
• under flow,
• with sedimentation.
6.2.1
Slurry preparation
CAREFUL
Formation of dust with dry packing material
Lung irritation possible if packing material is inhaled.
► Read the material safety data sheet from the packing material manufacturer.
► Wear a dusk mask.
The use of a more dilute liquid slurry simplifies the column packing. The
total volume of the slurry should not exceed the maximum volume of the
column.
The removal of fines decreases the column back pressure and so
improves the performance of the packed column.
The slurry is prepared as follows:
1. Mix the solvent or buffer with the appropriate amount of packing material in a
suitable container (see manufacturer
’s recommendations).
The total volume of the slurry must be less than the maximum column volume.
The amount of packing material determines the final bed length.
2. Mix the slurry with a stirring rod until the slurry is homogenous and avoid
introduction of air bubbles.
3. Check if the material is suitable for ultrasonication (see manufacturer
’s
recommendations).
If the material is suitable for ultrasonication, degas the slurry in an ultrasonic
bath.
If the material is not suitable for ultrasonication, let the material settle.
4. Let the degassed slurry settle.
5. If fines are visible on the surface of the slurry, remove them.