Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS Columns - Manual (Page 2)

[ Care and Use ManUal ]
XSelect HSS HPlc columnS 2
I. GettInG started
each AcQuItY uPlc HSS column comes with a certificate of
Analysis and a Performance test chromatogram embedded
within the ecord intelligent chip. the certificate of Analysis
is specific to each batch of packing material contained in the
AcQuItY uPlc HSS column and includes the gel batch number,
analysis of unbonded particles, analysis of bonded particles, and
chromatographic results and conditions. the Performance test
chromatogram is specific to each individual column and contains
such information as: gel batch number, column serial number, uSP
plate count, uSP tailing factor, capacity factor, and chromatograph-
ic conditions. these data should be stored for future reference.
a. Column Connectors
the AcQuItY uPlc system utilizes tubing and gold plated com-
pression screws which have been designed to meet stringent toler-
ance levels and to minimize extra column volumes.
optimized column inlet tubing (Part number 430001084) is sup-
plied with the AcQuItY uPlc system. the inject valve end of the
tubing is clearly marked with a blue shrink tube marker. Insert
the opposite end of the tubing into the AcQuItY uPlc column and
tighten the compression fitting using two 5/16-inch wrenches.
For information on the correct column outlet tubing, please refer
to the relevant detector section in the AcQuItY uPlc System
operator’s Guide (Part number 71500082502).
b. Column Installation
Note: The flow rates given in the procedure below are for a typical
2.1 mm i.d. by 50 mm length 1.8 µm column. Scale the flow rate
up or down accordingly based upon the flow rate and pressure
guide provided in Section V (Additional Information).
1. Purge the pumping system of any buffer-containing mobile
phases and connect the inlet end of the column to the injector
outlet.
2. Flush column with 100% organic mobile phase (methanol or
acetonitrile) by setting the pump flow rate to 0.1 ml/min and
increase the flow rate to 0.5 ml/min over 5 minutes.
3. When the mobile phase is flowing freely from the column
outlet, stop the flow and attach the column outlet to the
detector. this prevents entry of air into the detection system
and gives more rapid baseline equilibration.
4. Gradually increase the flow rate as described in step 2.
5. once a steady backpressure and baseline have been achieved,
proceed to the next section.
Note: If mobile phase additives are present in low concentrations
(e.g., ion-pairing reagents), 100 to 200 column volumes may be
required for complete equilibration. In addition, mobile phases that
contain formate (e.g., ammonium formate, formic acid, etc.) may
also require longer initial column equilibration times.
c. Column equilibration
AcQuItY uPlc HSS columns are shipped in 100% acetonitrile. It
is important to ensure mobile phase compatibility before changing
to a different mobile phase system. equilibrate the column with a
minimum of 10 column volumes of the mobile phase to be used
(refer to table 1 for a list of column volumes). the column may be
considered thermally equilibrated once a constant backpressure
is achieved.
Table 1. empty Column Volumes in mL (multiply by 10 for flush
solvent volumes)
to avoid precipitating mobile phase buffers on your column or
in your system, flush the column with five column volumes of a
water/organic solvent mixture, using the same or lower solvent
content as in the desired buffered mobile phase. (For example,
flush the column and system with 60% methanol in water prior to
introducing 60% methanol/40% buffer mobile phase).
d. eCord Installation
the ecord button should be attached to the side of the column heater module.
the ecord button is magnetized and does not require specific orientation.
Column Length
(mm)
Internal Diameter
1.0 mm 2.1 mm 3.0 mm
30 — 0.1 0.2
50 0.04 0.2 0.4
100 0.08 0.4 0.8
150 0.12 0.5 1.0