GC columns and water

[thohry]

Hi all,

I understand that water is not allowed injected into the column (except for trace amount). But why? Why not columns just handle water as an organic solvent?

Thanks

[Don_Hilton]

There has been discussion on this topic for years. Water can be used on GC columns. Some columns such as carbowax types are more likely to suffer degredation. But, if that is what you need to do to get the analysis done - you do it. The column is a consumable - and replacement becomes part of the cost of analysis. You, of course try for the longest column life possible.

The bigest problem with water is usually the expansion volume in the inlet.