Waters IC-Pak Ion Exclusion Columns - Manual (Page 6)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
6 Waters IC-PAK ™ Ion Exclusion Columns
V. Care & MaIntenanCe
a. Troobleshooting
Table 2 lists problems that can occur when using IC-Pak Ion
Exclusion columns, and describes corrective actions for these
problems.
Loss of efficiency can often be due to bed compression over an
extended period of time. If this occurs:
1. Replace the inlet filter.
2. Reverse the column and flow the eluent at 1.0 mL/min for
15 minutes.
3. Recheck the column efficiency.
These steps can also be used if the chromatographer suspects column
contamination from a fouled or old column or if the system back
pressure has increased from the initial column efficiency
Removing Adsorbed Contaminants
Although Guard-Pak inserts can be relied upon to protect the contam-
inants column from chemically adsorbed compounds and any stray
particulate matter, it may still be necessary to wash the column with
solutions designed to remove chemically adsorbed contaminants.
Cleaning agents, such as 0.1 N phosphoric acid (H
3
PO
4
), 0.1 N nitric
sold (HNO
3
), or 0.1 M sulfuric acid (H
2
SO
4
) are ideal for washing the
column.
Organs adsorbed to the resin can be removed using a wash of 90
parts water and 10 parts methanol. The cleaning agents should
initially be introduced at a low flow rate, and the flow gradually
increased. Do not exceed 20 % organic content in any mobile phase
or eluent.
The column can be stored in either fresh eluent or in 10% methanol
in water. Remove the column (filled with the aqueous/methanol
solvent) from the system and replace the compression screws.
Re-equilibrate and test the column to establish its condition before
putting it back into service.
Considerations
When storing the column, keep these considerations in mind:
 DO NOT store the column in water alone, as this may result
in bacterial growth in the column. Storing the column in a 10%
aqueous solution of methanol hinders bacterial
 DO NOT leave a column at elevated temperatures without
eluent flow.
 Return the column to its box with the compression screws firmly
in place for storage. Allowing the column to dry out may result
in poor chromatographic performance.
VI. ORDERING INFORMATION
Table 3. Waters HPLC Product Part Numbers
HPLC Accessories Part Number
Waters IC-Pak Ion Exchange Columns:
7.8 mm x 150 mm WAT010295
7.8 mm x 300 mm WAT010290
Waters IC-Pak Anion Column WAT007355
Waters IC-Pak Ion Exclusion Guard-Pak Inserts WAT020770
Replacable Frit WAT086591
Compression Screws and Ferrules (5 pk) WAT025604
Milli-Q Reagent Grade Water System (110 V) WAT098697
In-line Precolumn Filter Kit WAT084560
Sample Clarification Kit WAT026865
Filter Reorder Kit, which contains: WAT026872
400 MF Millipore filters (HATF 012 00)
400 Aqueous Prefilters (AP25 010 00)
1 O-Ring
1 Flat Gasket
1 Support Screen
Millex HV4 Low Dead Volume Filters WAT082680
Tube Cutter WAT022384