Storing and using HPLC columns correctly can extend the lifetime of the columns. The little extra time that it takes will prove a worthwhile investment.

Things to Avoid!

Storage in Buffers

It is not a good idea to store HPLC columns in buffer solutions. Buffers can precipitate during storage, badly affecting the packing material as well as plugging fittings and causing excessive back-pressure. The higher the concentration of buffer, the more possible bacterial growth may be. This will not only affect the frits and packing material, but can affect analytes and even generate peaks from organic materials.

Storage in THF 

Solvents which degrade easily, such as THF (Tetrahydrofuran), TEA (Triethylamine) and TFA (Trifluoracetic Acid), can degrade the column and may even change the chromatography.

Procedure for Short Term Column Storage

For overnight storage when the column is to be used the next day, the columns should be flushed with the operational mobile phase only without any buffer (if one has been used). For example, if the mobile phase is 60% Methanol and 40% Buffer, then simply replace this with 60% Methanol and 40% Water. This eliminates the risk of precipitation of salts and also reduces the time taken to re-equilibrate the column the next time it is used.

Ideally, mobile phase should be continuously pumped through the column at a low flow rate (0.1-0.2ml/min is enough). This will minimise equilibration time and not use a lot of solvent. Use a product such as SolventTrak to recycle your isocratic or storage solvent, and the cost is reduced to almost zero.

Procedure for Longer Term Storage

If the column is to be disconnected from the HPLC system and stored then it can either be stored in the mobile phase it was shipped in, or, for reverse phase columns, stored in 100% Acetonitrile. If a mobile phase containing buffer was used, then first replace the buffer with water, wash the column, and then flush with the shipping solvent. A flush with 100% ACN before storage can also remove a lot of contamination from the column.

Physical Storage

Before storage, ensure that an end-fitting plug is inserted into each end of the column to prevent the packing from drying out.

Do not store columns loose in a drawer or on the bench. If a column is knocked or worse, dropped on the floor, the physical trauma can damage the bed of the packing material, leading to voids and a degradation in performance.

Columns should be stored either in their original boxes, or ideally, using a column storage system such as the Labhut Column Store. This enables a large number of columns to be stored efficiently, in a compact space and in the best conditions.

Find out more about the Labhut Column Store.

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