Preparative HPLC of peptides - Agilent 1100

[planalp]

Hi,
I am looking for anyone's insight on using the Agilent 1100 for peptides in a prep system. We have a lot of components of 1100 systems and are trying to cobble something together. A particular concern is the detector specifically its flow-cell for prep, and pressure limits of this cell. we have only access to a 20-bar limited flow cell.
thanks!
R

[DR]

I'd look elsewhere unless your goal is in the mg for whatever you're trying to do prep LC on.

Nothing about the 1100 series is geared for prep work. Look for an old Waters delta system or something that handles >10mL/min.

[lmh]

DR's probably right, but a lot depends on what you mean by "prep". If you mean a 10mm diameter column running at 5mL/min or less, you might get away with it. If your system was originally used in analytical mode with 1mL/min or less flow rates, any tubing associated with it will be a bit on the narrow side. Provided you keep all the plumbing post-PDA to nice wide tubing (blue or more), not longer than necessary, I'd have thought you ought to be able to get 5mL/min through a typical older-design flow cell (which would anyway be working at 1mL/min standard) without hitting 20 bar. Best thing is probably to attach the flow cell to a pump and gradually increase the pressure to find out what happens.
I'd avoid pushing the 1100 to its limits, either in pressure or flow, because if nothing else you'll get through pump seals ridiculously fast. We use a Shimadzu analytical system to do semi-prep at 4mL/min and it copes, but it's a more modern instrument than the 1100.