Chromatography Forum

Hi everybody!
Does anyone know which is the best way to split HPLC flow to ESI-MS? We work with typical flows in HPLC (around 1 mL/min for 4.6 mm columns) and split this flow with a tee to put into de ESI interface around 50 uL/min. But we usually have problems of reproducibility that we adress to the splitting. I've seen that LC Packings offers a splitter that seems to be good, but it costs around 3000 euros Which could be the best way to solve this problem, apart of using thinner columns or nano-micro HPLC?
Thank you very much.

Many modern ion sources will accept a 1 mL/min flow without splitting if you adjust your gas flows and temperature accordingly, although it may not be ideal for sensitivity. You might check with the manufacturer to see if this is possible with your ion source.

reproducibility problems in UV and MS responses? If you feel you have a splitter problem I guess you must have both.. we use an Upchurch microbore splitter which is maybe 300 euros, but the cheaper alternatives could be suitable (and may have already been discussed on the forum).

Hi,
look if upchurch scientific offers the splitter you want;
I assume it´s much cheaper than the one from LC-Packings/Dionex.

Best regards,

Schlu