Waters SunFire Columns - Manual (Page 6)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
6
b. Storage
Completely seal the column to avoid evaporation and drying out of
the bed.
reversed-phase Columns (SunFire C
18
and SunFire C
8
)
For periods longer than four days at room temperature, store the
column (with the exception of cyano chemistry columns) in 100%
acetonitrile at room temperature. For elevated temperature applica-
tions, store immediately after use in 100% acetonitrile for the best
column lifetime. Do not store columns in buffered eluents. If the
mobile phase contained a buffer salt, flush the column with 10 col-
umn volumes of HPLC grade water (see Table 1 for common column
volumes) and replace with 100% acetonitrile for storage. Failure to
perform this intermediate step could result in precipitation of the
buffer salt in the column when 100% acetonitrile is introduced.
normal-phase Columns (SunFire Silica)
For rapid equilibration upon start-up, store your normal-phase column
in the mobile phase that is commonly used.
VI. ConneCtInG tHe Column to tHe HPlC SyStem
a. Column Connectors and System tubing Considerations
All SunFire columns have Waters-style endfittings.
Tools needed for SunFire analytical column:
1/2 inch wrench
9/16 inch wrench
Handle the column with care. Do not drop or hit the column on a hard
surface as it 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 quality
chromatographic results.
2. 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 compression
screw, place a 5/16 inch wrench on the compression screw and a
1/2 inch wrench on the hex head of the column endfitting.
Note: If one of the wrenches is improperly placed on the column tube
flat during this process, the endfitting will be loosened and leak.
3. If a leak occurs between the stainless steel compression screw
fitting and the column endfitting, a new compression screw
fitting, tubing and ferrule must be assembled.
4. An arrow on the column identification label indicates correct
direction of solvent flow. Correct connection of 1/16 inch
outer diameter stainless steel tubing leading to and from the
column is essential for high-quality chromatographic results. 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. Due to
the absence of an industry standard, various column manufactur-
ers 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 settings. This section
explains the differences between Waters style and Parker style
ferrules and endfittings (Figure 1). Each endfitting style varies
in the required length of the tubing protruding from the ferrule.
The SunFire column is equipped with Waters style endfittings that
require a 0.130 inch ferrule. If a Parker style column is presently
being used, it is critical that the ferrule depth be reset for optimal
performance prior to installing a SunFire column.
Waters Ferrule Setting
0.130 inches
Parker Ferrule Setting
0.090 inches
.090” .130”
Figure 1: Waters and Parker Style Ferrule Types
In a proper tubing/column connection (Figure 2), the tubing touches
the bottom of the column endfitting, with no void between them.
Figure 2: Proper Tubing/Column Connection