SNAP
®
Series Glass Columns
Tips for Successful Column Packing and Storage
• Use only degassed and pre-filtered solvents as particulate in solvent may clog the frits or damage the column
packing.
• Make sure that frits are properly sized for chromatographic media. Essential Life Solutions recommends that the frit
porosity be at least one half of the average media particle diameter.
• Columns should always be sealed with appropriate stoppers when not in use to avoid bed degradation and drying
out of media.
• Essential Life Solutions recommends eluting the column from bottom to top so that any air present can more readi-
ly be released. The result will be that the column will condition more quickly requiring less solvent.
• Before sample injection, ensure that no dead volume is present at the column inlet during the conditioning phase.
• Before attempting to pack the column, please consult with the media supplier and/or Essential Life Solutions for
media-specific instructions.
Quality Control
Essential Life Solutions recommends determining plate count and peak symmetry with an appropriate (non-adsorbent) test
substance after packing the column. Repeating this test frequently will ensure that the quality and durability of the packing
material is recorded efficiently.
Calculating Amount of theoretical Plates (N):
N
= 5.54 × ( )
T1: retention time(s) W
1/2
: peak width (s) at half peak height
HETP =
L: column length (mm)
Peak Symmetry (S):
S =
W
1/2,r
: peak width to right of peak median
W
1/2,l
: peak width to left of peak median
t
1
W
1/2
L
N
W
1/2
,r
W
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