RecommendedSlurry-PackingProcedure for IKColumns
1.
Fill the columnwithPACKINGBUFFER toverify proper column assemblage. Note: inmost casesWATER can
be used as aPACKINGBUFFER. Tilting the column and reversing the pump flow canbe used to replace all air
out of the column. However, any residual air bubbles are usually squeezedout by the sorbent bed at the final
stages of packing.
2.
Place the sorbent into theTank#1 and let it sediment in thePackingBuffer. Decant to remove fines and
suspended air bubbles. Gently re-suspend to a homogenous 50-75% slurry.
3.
Pump the slurry at a flow rateATLEAST~2.5-FOLDFASTER than the projectedoperational flowof the
column. Note: back-pressuremight be the limiting factor for packingof the soft sorbents, e.g. of a 4%non cross-
linkedAgarose.
4.
IMPORTANT: once the sorbent bed fills the column, the back-pressure starts risingABRUPTLY. Shut down the
pumpwhen the pressure is at 15 to30-PSI. Note: over-pressuring of compressible sorbentsmight result in
“frontingpeaks”. A slowpacking flow and/or insufficient final pressuremight result in “tailingpeaks”.
5.
CloseValvesV-1 andV-2. Relax the peristaltic pump to relieve the residual pressure in the tubing*.
6.
Replace thePackingPortAdopterwith thePackingPort Plug. Avoid trapping in air.
7.
Connect the column to the chromatography skid. Verifyproper packingby runningHETP andpeak asymmetry
test.
*Note: Inour experience, it is difficult to completely clean the tubing from the residual sorbent slurry.
We suggest to either discard the tubing after the packingor label it for future re-usewith the same
sorbent.
