Before Purchasing HPLC

The term ‘HPLC’ i.e. High Performance Liquid Chromatography is employed to differ from
basic chromatography technique which is still used as preparative purposes. The aim of a
chromatographic method is to separate the components of an analytical sample if the component
of the analyte has an affinity for the stationary phase.

Now the question is that how do you make your common user requirement specification (URS)?

Before making plan for purchasing HPLC, you need to know about the basic components of an
HPLC:

 Pump: The function of a pump is to ensure a constant, reproducible, pulse-free flow of

mobile phase through the analytical column. Pump can be three types with different range
of pressure: Isocratic Pump, Binary Pump & Quaternary Pump. You will have to choose
one of them according to your working method. Usually quaternary pump is chosen for
routine work.

 Auto-sampler: Nowadays the commercial laboratories prefer the auto-sampler instead of

manual injection for introducing sample in HPLC column. The reason is that auto-
sampler provides precision which may not be possible with manual injection. Usually a
robotic hand is used as auto-sampler which is a software controlled device. Different
vendors offer different features on auto-sampler. Customers have to choose the feature
according to their methods. Here customer should choose the brand which has better
needle wash system to avoid carryover problems. Remember, huge vial capacity is not
the key feature for purchasing an HPLC.

 Column-Compartment:  Column compartment controls the column temperature. Most

LC systems include a dedicated column compartment by using block heater. Here, the
column is directly thermostatted by the heat source. The column is fitted of a grooved
metal block to maintain the constant temperature. 

 Detector: The HPLC detector is positioned directly after the column so as to minimize
post-column peak broadening. The column effluent is directed into a detector flow cell,
where detection takes place.
 Diagram of an HPLC

So, when you will purchase an HPLC, you will keep focus on main component of an HPLC
according to your methods.