How To Prevent Column Blockages - Agilent Technologies 1290 Infinity LC System System Manual And Quick Reference

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Optimization of the Agilent 1290 Infinity LC System

How to Prevent Column Blockages

As with any HPLC system, care must be taken to avoid partially or completely

blocking the column or the system tubing through inadvertent use. Problems

caused by material introduced to the system can generally be avoided by

taking the following actions:

• Filter solvents

• Filter samples

• Replace mobile phases regularly

• Flush buffer salts from the system

An unavoidable source of particulates is the system itself. As with all HPLC

systems, seals will wear out shedding material which will be trapped by frits in

the system necessitating the routine replacement of these frits. Columns

packed with sub-2-micron particles also need frits with small pore size to

prevent packing material being swept out. This immediately brings increased

risk of blocking these frits with particulates from the sample, mobile phase

and from the instrument itself.

To ensure best results follow these simple usage guidelines:

1 Install and run the column only in the flow direction marked on the

2 Use only solvents that are high quality, chromatography grade.

3 Filter all aqueous buffers and all samples through an appropriate 0.2 µm

4 Replace bottles of mobile phase buffer every one to two days. Do not add

5 Do not use a high buffer salt mobile phase (> 50 mM) in combination with

6 Use the seal wash option with high concentration buffer mobile phases.

7 An in-line filter (1290 Infinity inline filter, diameter 2 mm, p/n 5067-4638)

8 Change the filter when the pressure increases by 10 %.

column.

filter before use.

mobile phase to the bottle; always use a new bottle.

high acetonitrile concentrations due to possible precipitation.

is recommended to catch particulates and extend column life.

Agilent 1290 Infinity LC System Manual and Quick Reference

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