Best Practices for Using a HPLC System – 4

Handling the HPLC Pump

The HPLC pump is very critical to the overall performance of the HPLC system. This 4^th edition of our Best Practices focuses on how to get the best performance out of the HPLC pump.

Recommendations

1. Prepare the pump and get it ready as described in our “Best Practices for Using a HPLC System -3”.
2. Whenever solvents are to be changed, ensure that the new solvent is miscible with the previous one.
3. For pumps with multichannel gradient valves (e.g. quaternary pumps), use the lower channels for buffers
4. Check for compatibility between buffers and organic solvents to prevent possible precipitation of salts in the multichannel gradient mixing chamber
5. Copiously flush the multichannel gradient valve on a regular basis with water to remove salt deposits which can block the valves over time.
6. Check the pump performance regularly by monitoring the pressure signal
7. If installed, the seal wash option should be used for optimal performance and assuring maximum pump lifetime

Recommendations for Using the Seal Wash Option

1. It is highly recommended that the seal wash option be used, if installed, especially when using buffers and other non-volatile solvents
2. The seal wash helps to automatically clean and remove salts, deposits and crystals that may deposit on the pump pistons and seals
3. Position the wash solvent bottle and the waste bottle appropriately. The seal wash solvent bottle is usually placed above the pump while the waste bottle is usually below the instrument. Typical wash solvents include 10% IPA in water and 100% IPA for normal phase applications.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for activating and using the seal wash option in your instrument model
5. Always use clean, fresh bottles as seal wash solvent bottles and do not refill such bottles.
6. Exchange seal wash solvent weekly and do not recycle seal wash solvent

In the next edition, we will be looking at best practices and recommendations for handling HPLC samplers.

Reference: Agilent Technologies:  Best Practices – Technical Note

Posted by Muyiwa Adebola

Muyiwa@aasnig.com