Can I run an ACQUITY Premier or ACQUITY UPLC column on a traditional HPLC system? - WKB78365

ENVIRONMENT

• ACQUITY
• ACQUITY Premier
• Alliance
• Breeze
• Column
• MaxPeak HPS (High Performance Surfaces)

ANSWER

Yes, but Waters does not recommend it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Waters does not recommend running an ACQUITY UPLC column on a traditional HPLC system for following reasons:

1. The column generates higher back pressure than a traditional HPLC column. This may cause the HPLC system to over pressure (shut down). To estimate column back pressure, see the Columns Calculator Version 2.0. (You may need IT permission to download this executable file.)
2. The system dispersion on an HPLC system is much higher than on an ACQUITY UPLC System. This causes peaks to be much wider on an HPLC system.

A better option is to run a 2.5-um particle size column of the same particle design, for example, use XBridge BEH C18 2.5-um or 3.5-um particle size column instead of an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 1.7-um particle size column. Maintaining a similar L/Dp value helps you obtain similar resolution as you change column particle sizes and lengths (see link below).

Waters Columns, Analytical Standards & Reagents Selection Guide Wall Chart

L/Dp Comparison Chart for LC Columns