How to Install Capillary Chromatographic Column

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The installation steps of capillary chromatographic column are as follows:

Step 1: Check the gas filter, carrier gas, injection pad and liner tube, in order to make sure that the auxiliary gas and detector gas are smooth and effective. If compounds with higher boiling point have been detected, it is necessary to clean or replace the liner tube at the injection port.

Step 2: Install screw nuts and guard staples on the column, and carefully cut both ports of the chromatographic column levelly. Install corresponding screw nut and guard staple at one end of the chromatographic column. At this time, each of the two ports of chromatographic column can be served as front or back port. The support part of the bracket of chromatographic column should always face the column door. After installing screw nuts and guard staples, cut the ports of chromatographic column, and examine them with a magnifying glass to make sure the incision and tube wall have a right angle in between, and there is no residual debris, rough edges or uneven surfaces.

Step 3: Connect chromatographic column with injection port. In general, the top of chromatographic column should always be at the middle and lower part of the liner tube of the injection port. After the injection needle is completely inserted into the injection port through the pad, it would be relatively ideal if the needle point is 1-2cm higher or lower than the top of chromatographic column. Take enough connection length from the chromatographic column bracket, cut the column according to Step 2, and connect it to the injection port. Avoid bending and squeezing the capillary chromatographic column forcefully, and be careful not to make notice plates or other articles with sharp edges contact or rub the column in order to prevent column breaking or becoming damaged. After embedding the chromatographic column properly in the injection port, screw on the connection nut by hand, and then tighten the nut for 1/4-1/2 circle with a wrench.

Step 4: The connection carrier gas must be high-purity (99.999%) nitrogen (or helium). While using polar columns (such as FFAP and PEG-20M), it is recommended to put carrier gas in the deoxidation tube for further deoxidation, which can prolong the column’s service life. After the chromatographic column is connected with the injection port, put through carrier gas. Adjust the pressure in front of the column to achieve appropriate flow rate of carrier gas. Insert the other end (empty end) of the chromatographic column to the sample bottle filled with hexane. Under normal circumstances, we can see stable and continuous bubbles in the bottle. If there is no bubble, re-examine whether the carrier gas device and flow controller are completely installed or configured correctly, whether the entire gas circuit has leakage. After all problems have been solved, take out the port chromatographic column from the bottle and wipe it clean; begin the next step of installation after ensuring there is no solvent residual at the column port. Reference settings: pressure in the front of capillary column (Mpa), column length (m), column diameter (mm): 0.25 0.32 0.53 15 0.05 0.04 0.02 30 0.1 0.08 0.03 50 0.18 0.14 0.05.

Step 5: Connect chromatographic column to the detector. The matters needing attention during installation are basically the same as the above mentioned (Step 3) notice for connection between chromatographic column and injection port. During the installation, pay attention that the column end should be higher than the gas make-up point, or follow the installation instructions for chromatograph.

Step 6: Detect gas leakage. Before heating the chromatographic column, detect whether the GC system leaks gas. It is advised to use the mixed solution of isopropanol and water (1:1) for examination.

Step 7: Chromatographic column aging. After column installation and system leak detection, chromatographic column aging can be carried out. Raise the column temperature program to 30℃below the maximum use temperature, and maintain the temperature for 30 minutes.

In this way the constituents absorbed in the column will be blown out, in order not to affect your analysis. Finally, reduce the column temperature to required temperature, and then analyze actual samples.