3.4 Advanced and Specialty LC Systems

3.4.1 Ultra-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography U-HPLC

HPLC technology made a significant advance with the development of ultra high pressures systems. These systems, currently operate at 15 000 to 20 000 psi, offer significant time and cost saving per analysis. The increased pressure allows samples to pass through the column faster and results in significant increases in column efficiency (and decreases in theoretical plate height) by minimizing longitudinal diffusion processes. These systems offer higher column efficiencies (resolution per column length) and allow the systems to operate at a much wider range of linear velocities, flow rates, and backpressures. Nanobore-sized columns offer up to 95 percent decreases in solvent use and interface well with mass spectrometers. Higher pressure systems are under development that will possibly operate at up to 100 000 psi and yield even greater column efficiencies.

Frank's Homepage

©Dunnivant & Ginsbach, 2008