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Part 4. Conditioning columns Columns and Traps
Procedure: Conditioning packed columns
Procedure: Conditioning packed columns
WARNING Do not use hydrogen as the carrier for conditioning! It could vent into the oven
and present an explosion hazard.
1. Press [Col 1] or [Col 2] to open the column control table.
2. Enter an appropriate column flow:
• 20 to 30 mL/min for 2 mm ID glass or 1/8 inch OD metal columns.
• 50 to 60 mL/min for 4 mm ID glass or 1/4 inch OD metal columns.
3. The conditioning temperature is never greater than the maximum tempera-
ture limit for the column; 30°C less than the maximum is usually sufficient.
Slowly raise oven temperature to the conditioning temperature for the
column.
4. Continue conditioning overnight at the final temperature. If you will not be
using the conditioned column immediately, remove it from the oven. After
removing the column, cap both ends to prevent air, moisture, or other
contaminants from entering the column.