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Practical HPLC Troubleshooting and Maintenance

1 Day Course

Take this one-day course to explore the practical approach to HPLC troubleshooting and maintenance. We review commonly encountered problems and best practice for all major system components including mobile phase, pump, injection system, column and detector.

Examination of separation chemistry, interrogation of poor peak shape and retention problems are a fundamentally important part of the course, leading to increased awareness of troubleshooting principles. 

Practical exercises are fundamental to this course and familiar equipment will be used to carry out a wide range of laboratory-based tasks. 

  • We limit numbers to 6 per course so that each delegate gets the opportunity to ask questions and fully participate in practical exercises 
  • When delivered on-site we can design the course material to suit your specific training needs
  • Customisable written assessments are available if required

Contact [email protected] for more information.


Course Overview | Download course details »

All components of the HPLC system and associated problems are systematically studied. The use of chromatograms as diagnostic tools is explored in depth, including baselines, peak shape and retention time inconsistencies, spurious peaks, etc.

Laboratory based sessions are included to make an all-encompassing course.

Who is this course for

This course is designed for those relatively new to HPLC, or for those users of HPLC systems who want to gain a deeper insight of their instruments. Ideally will follow-on from attendance to the fundamental HPLC training course.

Previous knowledge

Some previous knowledge of chromatography and basic experience are recommended. A good grounding in Chemistry is also beneficial.

What you will learn

  • Instrument problems - identifying and defining the issues
  • Common maintenance schedule operations
  • Investigative operations
  • Hands-on pump, auto sampler and detector maintenance procedures
  • Common calibration protocols
  • Putting it all together


Course Outline

Common Maintenance Schedule Operations

  • Pumps: pistons, mixers, check-valve replacement, filters, etc.
  • Autosamplers: injection valves, seals, metering devices, syringes etc.
  • Detectors: flow cell clean, lamp replacement

Investigative Operations

  • Log-keeping
  • Calibrating pump flow
  • Calibrating autosampler volume
  • Writing a maintenance process document 

Columns

  • Installation and conditioning
  • Column chemistry
  • Efficiency loss
  • pH operating range/bleed
  • Proper column management
  • Loss of sensitivity 

Common Calibration

  • Calibrating detector wavelength and response
  • Testing lamp intensity
  • Testing flow cell cleanliness
  • Calibrating column temperature

Chromatographic Troubleshooting

  • Baseline problems
  • Peak shape problems
  • Retention time drift
  • Peak area irreproducibility

Putting it All Together

  • Maintenance records and schedules

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