Waters ACQUITY UPLC SEC Columns and Standards - Manual (Page 7)

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[ CARE AND USE MANUAL ]
ACQUITY UPLC BEH SEC Columns
VI. COLUMN CLEANING, REGENERATION AND STORAGE
a. Cleaning and Regeneration
Changes in peak shape, such as increased tailing, shoulders on
the peak, shifts in retention, change in resolution, ghost peaks, or
increased backpressure may indicate contamination of the column.
Choose a cleaning option that may be expected to dissolve the
suspected contaminant.
1. It may be useful to conduct cleaning procedures at one-half
the flow rate typically used with that column. In this way the
possibility of high pressure events is reduced.
2. Recommended cleaning solvents:
a. A concentrated salt solution at low pH
(e.g. 0.5 M Na
2
SO
4
, pH 2.7).
b. A low concentration of methanol (e.g., 20%) in HPLC
grade water.
c. Use of ionic detergents and other surfactants should be
avoided if the SEC column is to be subsequently used to
analyze native proteins.
Note: Choose a cleaning solvent based on sample properties, e.g. use
(a) to remove basic protein and (b) to remove hydrophobic proteins.
Chaotrophic agents can solvate strongly adsorbed proteins via hydrogen
bond disruption.
3. As a last resort, flow reversal or back flushing can be tried
at a low flow rate (e.g., 0.1 mL/min). However, this approach
may further damage the column or only provide short-lived
improvement in performance.
b. Storage
For overnight storage, continuously flush the column with the mobile
phase at 10–20% of the maximum recommended flow rate. Store
the column in the HPLC grade water when it will be used within 24 hrs
or in 20% methanol for long term storage.
Note: Working at extremes of pressure, pH and/or temperature may
result in shorter column lifetimes.
VII. INTRODUCING eCord INTELLIGENT CHIP TECHNOLOGY
a. Introduction
The eCord Intelligent Chip is a technology that provides the history
of a column’s performance throughout its lifetime. The eCord
is permanently attached to the column to assure that the column’s
performance history is maintained in the event that the column
is moved from one instrument to another.
Waters eCord -
intelligent chip
Figure 6. Waters eCord Intelligent Chip
At the time of manufacture, tracking and quality control information
will be downloaded to the eCord. Storing this information on the chip
will eliminate the need for a paper Certificate of Analysis. Once the
user installs the column, the software will automatically download
key parameters into a column history file stored on the chip. In this
manual, we explain how the eCord will provide a solution for easily
tracking the history of the columns, reduce the frustration of paper-
work trails, and give customers the reassurance that a well-performing
column is installed onto their instruments.