Waters Atlantis T3, DC18 and HILIC Silica Columns - Manual (Page 2)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
Atlantis Columns 2
II. CONNECTING THE COLUMN OR CARTRIDGE TO THE HPLC
SYSTEM
a. Column Connection
Handle the column with care. Do not drop or hit the column on a hard
surface as this may disturb the bed and affect its performance.
1. Correct connection of 1/16 inch outer diameter stainless steel
tubing leading to and from the column is essential for high-qual-
ity chromatographic results.
2. An arrow on the column identification label indicates correct
direction of solvent flow.
3. When using standard stainless steel compression screw fittings,
it is important to ensure proper fit of the 1/16 inch outer diameter
stainless steel tubing. When tightening or loosening the compres-
sion screw, place a 5/16 inch wrench on the compression screw
and a 3/8 inch wrench on the hex head of the column endfitting.
Caution: If one of the wrenches is placed on the column flat during this
process, the endfitting will be loosened and leak. Under-tightening
compression screws or using worn ferrules can lead to solvent
leaking. Care should be taken to check all column connections
for leaks to avoid exposure to solvents and the hazards associ-
ated with such exposure including risks to health and electrical
connections.
4. If a leak occurs between the stainless steel compression screw fit-
ting and the column endfitting, a new compression screw fitting,
tubing and ferrule must be assembled.
b. Cartridge Connection
Handle the cartridge with care. Do not drop or hit the cartridge on a
hard surface as it may disturb the bed and affect its performance. Refer
to Figure 1 for an exploded view of an Atlantis cartridge column with
a Sentry guard column.
1. Unscrew end connectors from the old cartridge. Leave them con-
nected to the inlet and outlet lines of the instrument.
2. Attach new cartridge column between connectors so that the
direction of the flow arrow on the label is pointing in the direc-
tion of mobile phase flow (toward detector).
3. Fingertighten all fittings.
Caution: Under-tightening the connectors can lead to solvent leak-
ing. Care should be taken to check all column connections for leaks
to avoid exposure to solvents and the hazards associated with such
exposure including risks to health and electrical connections.
4. Check for leaks once flow has been initiated. If a leak occurs
between the connector and the column endfitting, the column
may be misaligned in the connector or the Kalrez O-ring must be
replaced in the connector.
It is important to realize that extra column peak broadening can destroy
a successful separation. The choice of appropriate column connectors
and system tubing is discussed in detail below.
c. Column Connectors and System Tubing Considerations
Due to the absence of an industry standard, various column man
facturers have employed different types of chromatographic column
connectors. The chromatographic performance of the separation can
be negatively affected if the style of the column endfittings does
not match the existing tubing ferrule setting. This section explains
the differences between Waters style and Parker style ferrules and
endfittings (Figure 2). Each endfitting style varies in the required
length of the tubing protruding from the ferrule. The Atlantis column
is equipped with Waters style endfittings, which require a 0.130 inch
ferrule. If a non-Waters style column is presently being used, it is
critical that ferrule depth be reset for optimal performance prior to
installing an Atlantis column. In a proper tubing/column connection
(Figure 3), the tubing touches the bottom of the column endfitting,
with no void between them.
Figure 1: Installation of Atlantis Cartridge Column with Sentry Guard Column
0.25 mm (0.009 inch) Tubing Atlantis ® Cartridge Column End Connector
Sentry ™ Guard
Column
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