How do you prime an HPLC pump? - WKB283653

ENVIRONMENT

• HPLC pump

ANSWER

Priming an HPLC pump is a crucial step to ensure reliable and consistent performance in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems. 

1. Prepare the solvent:

   • Begin by ensuring that the solvent you plan to use is filtered and degassed. This step removes any dissolved gases, preventing bubble formation during priming.

2. Open the purge or reference valve:

   • Locate the purge valve at the pump outlet.
   • Open the purge valve to allow solvent flow to bypass the rest of the system and column.

3. Run at high flow:

   • Run the pump at a high flow rate (e.g., 10 mL/min) for several minutes.
   • This helps clear all air bubbles from the pump and connecting tubing.

4. Focus on the column’s inlet:

   • After the initial flush, reduce the flow rate to 0.
   • Close the purge valve.

5. Use low-viscosity solvents:

   • Before concluding the priming process, consider using solvents like methanol (MeOH) or acetonitrile (ACN).
   • These low-viscosity solvents can be advantageous for efficient priming. After the flush, re-prime with the intended mobile phase solvent mixture compatible with the HPLC column in place.

Priming your HPLC pump might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it significantly contributes to the longevity of your instrument and ensures accurate and reproducible chromatograms.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION