What is HPLC?
What is HPLC? One of the main liquid transfer applications using the fittings we’ve discussed is HPLC. Because it is such a popular analysis technique, it seems appropriate to invest some time discussing it. HPLC is an acronym that stands for High Performance Liquid Chromatography. (Many people think the “P” stands for “Pressure,” as the operating pressures for many HPLC applications is quite high; however, the “P” really does stand for “Performance.”) HPLC began to be used in the 1960’s. The technique allows analysts to separate a sample of known or unknown composition into its components, and then to quantify how much of each component is present in the sample. And, because this technique is generally non-destructive, HPLC is a very useful tool in the laboratory, as it allows the scientist to continue performing other tests on his or her sample after it has been analyzed using an HPLC system.
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Separation occurs by introducing a sample into a liquid chemical stream known as the mobile phase, which in turn carries the sample to a specialized tube called the column packed with small, chemically-active particles known as the stationary phase. Inside the column, the sample interacts with both the mobile phase and the stationary phase and begins to chemically separate into its components. Other equipment in the system create and collect data from the analysis of those separated sample components. Those data are then summarized in a printed graphical plot called a chromatogram. (WHEW!)
FITTINGS 101
