Chromatography Forum

We have a column: Rezex ROA-Organic Acid. Dimensions: 300 x 7.8 mm. Part No.: 00H-0138-K0 (phenomenex)

We accidently pump though 100% acetonitrile, Is there any way to save this column? How to regenerate this column?

You should call Phenomenex technical help.

I will say that we do clean out and regenerate the organic acid columns we use here. We go through a graduated MP, water, then organic, then back to water, then back to MP.

Definitely check with Phenomenex, but in general, PS-DVB sulfonate columns are fairly tolerant of acetonitrile (*not* of methanol, however!). I've run that type of column (BioRad Aminex HPX-87) with up to 50% ACN with no ill effects.

So, while there are no guarantees, I would turn the column around, keep a low flow rate (0.2 mL/min or so) and gently pump the dilute sulfuric acid mobile phase through the column overnight. In the morning, turn the column back to the original flow direction and test it. If you're lucky, it will still be "alive".

I've been there, and done that, and I recovered by doing what Tom said. Tracking pressure while you flow water/dilute acid will let you know when you have recovered.

In my case it made a complete recovery if running at a slightly higher pressure than before.