Detector splitting

[kobie]

Hi there,

The HPLC system in our lab is currently set up in a way that the column effluent goes first to the UV detector and then MS detector. My method has a flow rate of 1ml/min, which I find is too high for MS. As I would like a smaller flow rate of effluent going to MS at about 0.2ml/min, I am looking for some splitting device and some advice on the best way to split a column effluent to 2 detectors. Hope to receive insight from everyone.

[bisnettrj2]

http://www.hplc-asi.com/literature/FlowSplitter2009.htm

I haven't used any of these, but if you contact ASI, they should be able to assist in choosing the correct flow splitter for your application - probably something like a 5:1 or 3:1 ratio split to the UV and the MS?

[kobie]

Thank you for bisnettrj2 for your reply.

I should have made a more thorough search before opening this thread but actually I was not sure how such a device is officially called. I made some search but only a few relevant results came out. But anyway, I have found some very useful posts on this forum about this issue. I have checked the link you posted and some others splitters and found that they are all so expensive. I could not believe that such a device can cost more than 2000$. For now, I guess that I will consider using a tee for the split, which is told not be reliable for gradient. But as for now, I can make do with isocratic so I guess it will be fine.

[Csaba]

Hi, we are using simple tees as splitter (efter UV, before MS). The flow is regulated with cappilaries with different inner diameter. It is a very reliable set up. (Splitters with a simple screw to regulate the split don't work well for us). We have not tested those fancy expensive splitters. Instead we will slowly move to 2 mm ID columns using 0.5 mL/min flowrate without splitter.