Waters ACQUITY APC Columns - Manual (Page 2)

2
ACQUITY APC Columns
II. GETTING STARTED
a. Preparing the System
Before attaching the column, the system must be prepared as follows:
1. Remove the old columns and connect the tubing ends with a
zero-dead-volume connector.
2. Convert the system to the solvent required for the separation by
flushing the system and injector pathway to remove old solvents.
For additional information, refer to the ACQUITY APC System’s
operator guide.
b. Column Connections
The ACQUITY APC System uses tubing and connectors that have
been designed to meet stringent tolerances to minimize extra-
column volume within the system. It is highly recommended that
you use the column connection hardware that is supplied with the
system, and, when needed, replace with original manufacturer’s
hardware. For applications that require a bank of columns connected
in series, a u-shaped column-joining tube (which has been optimized
to fit within the column heater compartment) is available separately.
Table 1. Physical Characteristics
Recommended
Separation Solvent
Temperature Limit
(°C)
pH Range
Pore Size
(Å)
dp
(µm)
Linear Range
(g/mole)*
ACQUITY APC XT 45 Organic 90 1-11 45 1.7 200-5,000
ACQUITY APC XT 125 Organic 90 1-11 125 2.5 1,000-30,000
ACQUITY APC XT 200 Organic 90 1-11 200 2.5 3,000-70,000
ACQUITY APC XT 450 Organic 90 1-11 450 2.5 20,000-400,000
ACQUITY APC XT 900 Organic 90 1-11 900 2.5 300,000-2,000,000
ACQUITY APC AQ 45 Aqueous 45 1-9 45 1.7 200-5,000
ACQUITY APC AQ 125 Aqueous 45 1-9 125 2.5 1,000-30,000
ACQUITY APC AQ 200 Aqueous 45 1-9 200 2.5 3,000-70,000
ACQUITY APC AQ 450 Aqueous 45 1-9 450 2.5 20,000-400,000
*Linear range based on polystyrene standards
To install the columns:
1. Remove the end plugs from each column and save them.
2. Connect the first column to the injector outlet tubing. Note the
direction of flow. A flow direction arrow is etched on the inlet
side end nut of the column.
3. Finger-tighten the fitting, then tighten with a wrench by
another turn using the flats machined into the column end nut.
Do not use a wrench on the column tubing. Figure 1 shows a
proper tubing-to-column connection.
4. Connect the next column to the previous column using
u-shaped tube connectors. Ensure that the solvent flow
continues in the direction shown on the column end fittings.
Thread the inlet and outlet fittings of the u-shaped tube until
finger tight, then tighten with a wrench.
5. Repeat Step 4 until all columns in the bank are connected.
6. Connect the last column to the detector inlet tubing.
c. Column Installations
Generally, analytical results are independent of the sequence in
which a column bank is arranged. However, to improve resolution
and column life, arrange the columns in order of decreasing
pore size, with the largest pore size closest to the injector. This
is recommended because the species with the highest molecular
weight in the sample contributes the most to the viscosity of the
sample. If the largest species are separated first, the viscosity of
the sample plug decreases more quickly, placing less strain on
the column bank. In the case of higher molecular weight polymers,
there is less chance of shear degradation of the polymer sample.