System leak increases backpressure (odd but true)
Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:50 pm
This morning while setting up my LC for the day's experiments, I learned how a leak in the system can actually be the cause for an increase in backpressure...to the tune of 700 psi.
My system is a Waters Alliance with a vertically oriented 2.1 x 100 mm column in the column oven, which is set at 35C. The mobile phase is 55/45 Aq/MeOH and the flow rate is 0.35 ml/min.
The leak was at the column outlet, mobile phase ran down the column and evaporated as it did so, cooling the column significantly, thus causing the increase in pressure.
Don't let it happen to you!
My system is a Waters Alliance with a vertically oriented 2.1 x 100 mm column in the column oven, which is set at 35C. The mobile phase is 55/45 Aq/MeOH and the flow rate is 0.35 ml/min.
The leak was at the column outlet, mobile phase ran down the column and evaporated as it did so, cooling the column significantly, thus causing the increase in pressure.
Don't let it happen to you!