recovery of shodex column

Record: 865

Category: Column Problem
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Question
I have questions about recovery of shodex column.

Our HPLC has two shodex columns, we usually ran 1mL/min at 40degree using THF as solvent. The two columns are Shodex SEC Column KF 805 30K-4m, Shodex SEC Column KF 803 1K-75K columns.

The solvent ran out few days ago (Jan 16), and I just notice this morning. I guess the column is dry now, and I want to recover the column for future use. May I know how to recover it? My plan is to flow THF 0.1 mL/min for 1-2 days , and then increase flow rate to 1 mL/min for another 1-2 days.
Also, from your experience, is the column totally dry if solvents ran out? is it possible that pump stop automatically, once there are air bubbles into the column?

Answer
I’m sorry to hear about your column.

Most HPLCs are equipped with pumps that need to be primed with liquid in order to pump. The pump cannot pump air. The lines may have some air bubbles in them and it is important to rid the lines of the bubbles so they do not go into the column.

Please see this article regarding the same question:
http://www.sepscience.com/Techniques/LC/Articles/700-/HPLC-Solutions-8-Does-Air-Damage-My-Column

Keep in mind the column discussed in the article is a reverse phase column and uses different solvents. The maximum pressure may also be different than the KF series.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

 
 
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