Chromatography Forum

Hi people! i want to know what lifetime is considered "normal" for these little filters line, (if we do all correct using procedures like filter and sonicate solvents etc etc.)
Thanks!

Depends on your solvent. For pure organic or water, essentially the lifetime of the instrument.

On the other hand, I've experienced situations where we had to clean the frits (boiling in 50% nitric acid) weekly when using aqueous buffers (microorganism growth).

Another factor you should consider when determining frit lifetime is what type of mixing system you have. If your instrument uses a low pressure mixing system with multiple solvent lines, and some of the frits are more dirty than others, then it could lead to irregular mixing by your proportioning valve. For this type of system, it would be good to replace or clean them yearly as preventative maintenance.

On the other hand, if your instrument uses a high pressure mixing system, then dirty frits would have less influence (unless they are really clogged up). Each pump will continue to pump the desired flow rate and the desired amount of solvent from each pump will also be delivered to your column.

Thanks!! both of you, four your prompt reply!

Are we talking about the inlet frits that are placed at the end of the eluent lines in the reservoirs, or in-line filters?