Algae Growth In Hplc Systems; How To Prevent And/Or Reduce The Algae Problem - Agilent Technologies InfinityLab LC Series User Manual

3 Using the Pump

Algae Growth in HPLC Systems

Algae Growth in HPLC Systems

The presence of algae in HPLC systems can cause many problems that may be
incorrectly diagnosed as instrument or application problems. Algae grow in
aqueous media, preferably in a pH range from 4 to 8. Their growth is accelerated
by buffers, for example phosphate or acetate. Since algae grow through
photosynthesis, light will also stimulate their growth. Even in distilled water
small-sized algae grow after some time.
Instrumental Problems Associated With Algae
Algae deposit and grow everywhere within the HPLC system, causing the
following problems:
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How to Prevent and/or Reduce the Algae Problem

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Agilent InfinityLab LC Series 1260 Infinity II Isocratic and Quaternary Pumps User Manual
Blocked solvent filters, or deposits on inlet or outlet valves, resulting in
unstable flow, composition or gradient problems, or a complete failure of the
pump.
Plugging of small-pore, high-pressure solvent filters, usually placed before the
injector, resulting in high system pressure.
Blockage of PTFE frits, leading to increased system pressure.
Plugging of column filters, giving high system pressure.
Dirty flow cell windows of detectors, resulting in higher noise levels (since the
detector is the last module in the flow path, this problem is less common).
Always use freshly prepared solvents, especially use demineralized water,
which was filtered through 0.2 µm filters.
Never leave mobile phase in the instrument for several days without flow.
Always discard old mobile phase.
Use the amber solvent bottle (Solvent bottle, amber, 1000 mL (9301-6526))
supplied with the instrument for your aqueous mobile phase.
If possible add a few mg/L sodium azide or a few percent organic solvent to
the aqueous mobile phase.
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