Tips for Column Storage Before the Holiday

LC Column

Flush and store the column according to the instructions. It is recommended to detach the column for storage during holidays.

✦ Reversed-phase column

For C18, C8, F-C8, C30, C4 and C3, C18, phenyl, phenyl-hexyl, phenyl-Ether, PFP, PAH, CN bonded phase columns, use mobile phase to flush out all sample components according to the specifications of column; use 10% methanol solution to flush out salt in the column according to the specifications, or use 80% methanol solution ( or acetonitrile solution) for flushing and store in a 80% methanol solution (or acetonitrile solution). If the ion pair reagent is used in the mobile phase, flush the column with 50% methanol solution before using 80% methanol solution to flush ( or acetonitrile solution) in the second step. Flush and store the column with 80% methanol solution (or acetonitrile solution).

✦ Normal phase column

For Silica, Diol, Normal phase NH2 bonded columns, flush all the sample components-according to the specification of column. Use 100% n-hexane to flush column-use N-hexane/isopropanol (95/5) to flush and store the column with plugs of both sides.

HILIC Mode column

For HILIC-Silica, HILIC-NH2, HILIC-Amide, HILIC-Amphion columns, use 60% acetonitrile solution to flush the salts of column-according to the specification of columns. Use 100% acetonitrile to flush and store column with plugs of both sides.

Silica-based ion-exchange column

For SCX,SAX column based on silica, use mobile phase to flush out all the sample components-according to the specification of column, use 10% methanol solution to flush out the salts in column and store in 10% methanol solution, with plugs of both sides in 4℃ refrigerator.

Polymer based ion exchange column

For polymer based Sugar-H, Sugar-Ca columns, use mobile phase to flush out all the sample components-according to the specification of column, use pure water to flush out all the salts in the column and store in pure water-with plugs of both sides in 4℃ refrigerator

Silica based molecule exclusion column

For silica based SEC columns, use mobile phase to flush out all the sample components-according to the specification. Use 5% acetonitrile solution to flush out all the salts in column- according to the specification, use 90% acetonitrile solution to flush and store column with plugs of both sides.

Dextran gel volume exclusion column

For dextran gel (G-10) volume exclusion column, use mobile phase to flush out all the sample components-according to specification, use distilled water to flush and store column with plugs of both sides in 4℃ refrigerator.

GC Column

Clean injecting needle with solvent(acetone) until it is fluent.

If injection times are overwhelming or sample is too dirty, it is recommended to plug both sides of columns after aging of the column. Then put it in the original package to avoid touching by sharp objects.

LC Instrument

1. Reversed-phase column system:detach the column from instrument and replace by two valves-system degassing-using ultra-pure water. Flush the pipeline for 30-60min to flush out salts and additives -system degassing-use pure methanol to replace pure water in pipeline, flush the pipeline for 30-60 min at 1.0 mL/min, and store it in pure methanol.

2. Normal phase system: detach the column from instrument and replace by two valves-system degassing-using ultra-pure water. Flush the pipeline for 30-60min Flush out salts and additives -system degassing-use pure methanol to replace pure water in pipeline, flush the pipeline for 30-60 min at 1.0 mL/min, and store it in pure isopropanol.

3. Close the detector

4. Stop the pump

5. Close the column oven

6. Close the automatic injector

7. Exit the work station and close the power of various liquid phase modules

8. Close the computer

9. Cut off the power and clean the waste bottle

GC Instrument

1. Close the fire of detector

2. Close the detector and inlet temperature

3. Exit the work station after cooling the instrument (cool down inlet temperature to lower than 100℃ and furnace temperature to room temperature ). Close the GC power

4. Close the carrier gas and valve of detector

5. Close the computer