How do I determine the best column equivalent when moving from HPLC to UPLC, keeping the efficiency the same? - WKB32689

OBJECTIVE or GOAL

Determine the UPLC column closest in efficiency to the HPLC column.

ENVIRONMENT

• UPLC
• HPLC
• XBridge
• ACQUITY UPLC
• CORTECS UPLC Columns
• scale
• efficiency
• plate count
• equivalent performance
• transfer
• L/dp
• 1.6um
• 1.7um
• 1.8um
• 2.5um
• 2.7um
• 3.0um

PROCEDURE

1. Use the HPLC column dimension as the starting point.  Example: 3.5µm, 4.6 x 150mm
2. Determine the L/dp ratio, where L = column length and dp = particle size.
3. The L/dp ratio is 150/3.5 = 42.
4. Find the column chemistry closest to the original HPLC column chemistry.  ACQUITY UPLC particle sizes are 1.6, 1.7, or 1.8 µm, depending on the brand.
5. The L/dp ratio of 75/1.7 = 44. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, see The Promise of Small Particles.