Overloading a column

[cchan_21]

I was wondering, if you realized that the column appears to be overloaded, is there any good cleaning advice that could do a good job of reviving the column? I'm using a Zorbax 2.1 x 150 mm, 5 um column.

[Consumer Products Guy]

I consider "overloading" as too much sample in an injection, like beyond the capacity of the column packing, resulting in very ugly, rounded peaks.

If you feel your column needs cleaning or regeneration your Zorbax (assume RP-18, there's many different types of Zorbax) likely can be helped by high levels of organic, like 90% high levels of ACN or methanol. For more-involved cleaning, some run a series of IPA, then CH2Cl2, then IPA again, and then back to mobile phase. Most modern columns can also be reverse-flushed.

Where you need to start is with the operating manual for your column, or to call Agilent tech service 800-227-9770.