Waters nanoACQUITY UPLC Columns - Manual (Page 7)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
nanoACQUITY UPLC Column Care and Use 7
Replace the Emitter
 Place the pin plug at the back side of the union. This will mark the
center of the union (right)
 Thread the replacement emitter (back end first) through the front of the
sprayer and into the union
 Tighten the PEEK nut around the union carefully (do not over-tighten)
 Remove the pin plug and replace it with the transfer line from the
nanoACQUITY column (again, do not over-tighten the fitting).
About poorly cut fittings
DO NOT cut or modify the emitter or column tubing in any way.
All tubing and columns supplied by Waters is pre-cut and polished.
Improperly cut tubing can lead to "shedding" and introduction of
fused silica particles downstream of nanoACQUITY 75, 100, or
150um I.D. column. This consequently can cause undesired system
backpressure increases.
To reduce the occurrence of clogging
 Make sure the union between the column and emitter is clean
 Do not over tighten the fittings on the union (finger tight only)
 Make sure the UPLC solvents are clean
 Keep a flow on the tip even when the instrument is not in use (as low as
200 nL/min)
 Try using a TaperTip instead of a Pulled Tip Emitter if clogging persists
TaperTip Emitter
A TaperTip (P/N 186003932) is offered as an alternative to a
PicoTip and is the default emitter in the universal sprayer kit. (July,
2007). The TaperTip has an ID of 20 µm but unlike the PicoTip the ID
remains unchanged thought out the emitter. This allows the emitter
to be implemented for higher flow rates. Furthermore, the TaperTip
may experience a lower frequency of particle clogging.
Note: Compared to the PicoTip Emitter, Waters TaperTip Emitter does
not produce as stable a spray at 250-400 nL/min, which is the flow
rate range most customers use with 75 µm or 100 µm ID columns.
As indicated above, use of the TaperTip Emitter is the suggested
when a more robust device is preferred.
Column ID Optimal Flow Rate (nL/min) Emitter Type
75 µm 300 PicoTip
100 µm 400-500 PicoTip / TaperTip
150 µm 1000 TaperTip
300 µm 4000 ESI Source required