Chromatography Forum

Please excuse the ignorance, but can someone tell me what Rapid Resolution High Throughput systems are? I think that they are systems that run at higher pressure than traditional HPLC and use shorter columns, etc. Is this correct? If so, can I convert my Agilent 1100's to use these systems?

Thanks

I am not 100% sure but I think that these systems were referring on the use of shorter columns (i.e. <5 cm) with smaller particle size stationary phases (i.e. 2-3 um). Normally you can use these columns with regular pressure pumps (i.e. <400 bars).

The Rapid Resolution High Throughput is Agilent's response to Waters' UPLC. There is some discussion who invented this first. Agilent is promoting RRHT now with the introduction of their 1200 series, an upgrade/continuation of the 1100 series.
Agilent uses columns with smaller particles (< 2µm) and has a higher data acquisition rate (this means you will need the 1200 series DAD if you want to try it).
You may find more on the Agilent web page, look for their world tour.

EDIT: Rapid Resolution is Agilent's hardware configuration.
RR High Throughput is their system of columns. It is __not__ limited to small particles <2µm as indicated above, but has also 5.0 and 3.5 µm particles. Sorry for the wrong information.

If you are looking for rapid analysis and good resolution, maybe monolythic columns are an answer.

Check http://www.phenomenex.com/Phen/Products/onyx/index.htm and you will find interesting info.

There was a very interesting discussion in this forum concerning UPLC and other "comparable" technologies. Search this out for reference too.

Dear All,

To clarify on definitions, Agilent uses the terminology Rapid Resolution LC to refer to the use of sub two micron particles on ALL columns dimensions ranging from 1-4.6 mm ID and 15-150 mm length. This covers in turn all applications, be it for getting ultrafast separations with the shorter lengths (>20 x faster than conventional HPLC with same or better chromatographic performance!!) or to get maximum resolution with the longer columns.

You may want to visit www.agilent.com/chem/1200rrht (1200 Rapid Resolution LC webpage) or http://www.agilent.com/chem/1200 (main 1200 Series web page) for further information.

Thanks

Translation: "RRHT" like "UPLC" is marketing buzz.

Rapid Resolution LC is Agilents terminology for its next contribution to the HPLC evolution (like any other step from 10 to 5 to 3.5 µm particles) and refers to column dimensions used.
Please note that it is NOT a trademark and thus no "marketing buzz"

The performance you may get out of these systems speak for themselves

Please note that it is NOT a trademark and thus no "marketing buzz"

Just because it's not a trademark doesn't mean that it isn't marketing buzz. UPLC is not a trademark either (I think ?). Some of these terms start off as marketing and end up becoming commonplace acronyms ("IC" for "ion chromatography" comes to mind in this respect); others sink into oblivion.

Tom,

UPLC is a trademark which means that other companies can not use it for their very high pressure LC's.

For example Micro-Tech that is also making nano-UPLC's (up to 15000 psi) they called their instruments UPNLC as they couldn't use the term UPLC...

I stand (actually, sit) corrected.

Chris,

To return to your orginal question. I think Agilent are using this phrase RRHT to refer to their (mostly short) columns packed with 1.8um particles. If you buy the Agilent 1200 system you can go as high as 600 bar and you may be able to use the longer columns of this variety.

However, if you have an Agilent 1100 system or any other system with a pressure limit of about 400 bar, then you may be able to use the shorter columns (up to 5cm in length) without exceeding the pressure limit of your system. Agilent will also sell you a "conversion kit" to adapt your 1100 system to the other rigours of use of these small particle columns which require your system to have a low dead volume to give the best performance. I think this kit includes narrow bore connection tubing and a detector flow cell with small volume to replace the normal flow cell.

I believe the Agilent columns generate a somewhat lower pressure than expected from their particle size. This is due to the presence of some proportion of larger particles in the column which Agilent claim (and from the results I have seen appears to be true) are not detrimental to the column efficiency ie the column behaves as if it contained only 1.8um particles.