Choosing The Solvents - Thermo Scientific Dionex UltiMate 3000 Series Operating Instructions Manual

UltiMate 3000 Series:
NCS-3500RS and NCP-3200RS

5.5.1 Choosing the Solvents

Observe the following precautions for solvent selection:
• Observe the precautionary statements in section 1.2.2 (→ page 5).
• The pump is primed with 2-propanol. During initial operation of the module, make sure
that the solvents used are miscible with 2-propanol. Otherwise, follow the appropriate
intermediate steps.
• Use only LC-MS grade water (0.2 µm, filtered).
If water from water purification systems is used that are not properly maintained,
polymeric contamination may seriously damage the column, rapidly block the solvent
frits, and result in early piston seal wear.
• Use only standard solvents and buffers that are compatible with all parts of the
UltiMate 3000 system that may be exposed to solvents.
For information about the wetted parts in the module, see the Technical Information
section (→ page 235). For information about the wetted parts in the other UltiMate 3000
system modules, refer to the 'Technical Information' section in the operating instructions
for the modules.
• Make sure to use special (highly pure) solvents. They are usually labeled accordingly by
the vendor.
• Mind the special properties of the solvents, such as viscosity, boiling point, UV
absorption (UV/VIS detector), refractive index (refractive index detector), and dissolved
gas (degasser).
• pH range: 2 - 10
• Do not operate the module with solvents that at the same time have very low pH and high
Chloride concentration (for example, 0.1M HCl + 1.5M NaCl).
• The pump is shipped with reversed phase main piston seals (RP).
Keep in mind that using chloroform, trichlorobenzene, methylene chloride,
tetrahydrofuran, or toluene as solvents chemically damages the UHMW-PE seals.
Chemical reactions may also occur when using tetrachloromethane, diethyl ether, di-
isopropyl ether, ketones, ammonium hydroxide, toluene, methylcyclohexane, and
monochlorobenzene. If you use these solvents, contact the Thermo Fisher Scientific sales
organization for Dionex HPLC Products.
• If the UltiMate 3000 system includes a SRD-3x00 Solvent Rack, observe also the solvent
compatibility of the degasser.
Whenever possible, avoid using the following solvents: hexafluoroisopropanol, solvents
containing hydrofluoric acid, perfluorinated solvents, and freons.
Page 108 Operating Instructions