Best Practices for Using an Agilent LC System - Technical Note

Significance of the Topic

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) remains a cornerstone of analytical chemistry across pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, food safety, and industrial quality control. Ensuring reliable, reproducible results from an Agilent LC system requires disciplined maintenance, optimized workflows, and proper use of system components. Adhering to best practices extends instrument lifetime, minimizes downtime, and safeguards data integrity.

Objectives and Study Overview

This technical note compiles and organizes best-practice recommendations for setting up, operating, and maintaining Agilent LC systems. It addresses solvent management, sample preparation, routine and long-term tasks, and detailed guidelines for pumps, degassers, samplers, columns, and detectors. Special attention is given to advanced modules such as 1290 Infinity and 1290 Infinity II pumps.

Applied Methodology and Instrumentation

Daily and weekly maintenance tasks are detailed alongside step-by-step procedures for system power-up and shut-down. Criteria for choosing and using degassers, multi-channel gradient valves (MCGV), and inline filters are outlined. Seal wash routines for various pump models are described to prevent seal damage and contamination. Autosampler wash strategies and column storage guidelines complete the methodological framework.

Main Results and Discussion

Key outcomes include optimized solvent handling protocols to prevent algae growth, salt precipitation, or photochemical degradation. Regular purging and equilibration ensure stable pressure and baseline performance. Degasser evacuation and appropriate selection prevent bubble formation with volatile solvents. Use of the seal wash feature dramatically reduces seal wear. Inline filters protect UHPLC columns from particulate fouling. Conditioning and purge functions of 1290 pumps efficiently remove trapped air, maintaining consistent mixing and flow accuracy.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Improved system uptime and reduced maintenance costs through preventative routines.
• Enhanced reproducibility and chromatographic performance by controlling solvent quality and system cleanliness.
• Extended component lifetime, including seals, pistons, and columns, through regular wash and conditioning operations.
• Reduced risk of sample carryover or column blockages with optimized autosampler wash and inline filtration.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Integration of real-time monitoring and automated maintenance alerts will further streamline workflows. Advances in degasser design and microfluidic inline filters promise even lower dead volumes. Predictive analytics may optimize maintenance schedules based on usage patterns and performance metrics, moving toward fully self-diagnosing LC platforms.

Conclusion

Following these best practices ensures robust analytical performance and prolongs the functional life of Agilent LC systems. A proactive maintenance culture, combined with proper sample and solvent management, safeguards data quality and laboratory efficiency.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent HPLC/UHPLC pumps: 1260, 1290 Infinity, 1290 Infinity II with manual or automatic purge valves.
• Degassers: G1322A, G7122A, internal/high-performance modules.
• Autosamplers: Agilent 1260/1290 series with needle and seat wash options.
• Inline filters: 0.3 µm assemblies for pumps and autosamplers.
• Agilent chemistries: columns with guard cartridges, recommended seal wash kits (5067-6131).
• Detectors: UV/Vis, refractive index, Max-Light cartridges.