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New column woes
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:08 am
by AMacD
I installed a new column on our Agilent triple quad today and realized after about 30 seconds that it was connected to the detector. I switched over to waste, but I now have a background signal I cannot get rid of. I have been searching to find out what might have gotten into the MS and what to do about it, but can only find documents saying "When installing a new column, do NOT connect directly to detector." Can anyone tell me what I might have accidentally done to the MS and how I might be able to fix it? Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:13 am
by Uwe Neue
what's the column?
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 1:18 am
by AMacD
It is a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 RRHT 2.1x10mm 1.8 micron column.
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:45 am
by Uwe Neue
The instruction makes no sense in the context of this column. If you think that the problem is related to the column, call Agilent.
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:34 am
by bisnettrj2
http://www.chem.agilent.com/en-US/Produ ... 66609.aspx
It doesn't really make sense that Agilent would make that statement, but they sure do. I've only heard the 'don't connect the column' caveat when reversing a column to attempt cleaning or clearing a blocked inlet frit. Perhaps Agilent is worried about fines clearing the column end frit and accumulating in the detector, hence the warning?
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:27 pm
by Consumer Products Guy
I am under the understanding that these columns (like most HPLC columns) are pre-run and even an individualized chromatography report supplied with the column. So it really shouldn't be any chemical or particle contamination, should it, could you be that unlucky? How long have you been trying to flush the detector, and with what?