<h3>How long does it actually take to install all the capillaries and fittings on a conventional HPLC system?</h3><h4>The Small Components That Matter Most</h4>When people think about HPLC systems, they often focus on pumps, detectors, columns, or software. Capillaries and fittings are usually seen as minor components because they are relatively inexpensive and physically small. However, every chromatographer eventually discovers that these tiny parts can have a major influence on system performance.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Connecting_a_U_HPLC_system_can_be_difficult_at_some_poorly_accessible_locations_3b837b441b.webp" alt="KNAUER: Connecting a (U)HPLC system can be difficult at some poorly accessible locations" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Connecting_a_U_HPLC_system_can_be_difficult_at_some_poorly_accessible_locations_3b837b441b.webp 208w," sizes="100vw" width="720" height="540">Even decades ago, chromatographers recognized the importance of proper connections. In the 1980s, long before UHPLC became common, John Dolan wrote about minimizing dead volume through correct fitting installation. Today, with UHPLC systems operating at extremely high pressures and using columns with very small particle sizes, dead volume is even less tolerable than before. The topic remains just as relevant today as it was back then.Interestingly, despite what many users assume, the chromatographic column itself is often not the primary source of HPLC or UHPLC problems. In my experience, poor connections are far more commonly responsible for issues such as peak broadening, leaks, or loss of efficiency.<h4>The Early Days of HPLC Capillaries</h4>Anyone who has been working with HPLC for many years will probably remember the era of rigid 1/16" stainless steel tubing. Whenever PEEK tubing was unsuitable, stainless steel capillaries were the standard choice.Setting up a system back then was far from convenient. You first had to locate an appropriate length of tubing somewhere in a drawer full of capillaries. Usually, this meant finding a several-meter-long piece and cutting it yourself using a dedicated capillary cutter. After cutting, you needed to ensure the tubing end was smooth and undamaged, hoping that the previous person using the cutter had not accidentally crushed the inner diameter.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Standard_1_16_Capillary_and_needed_tools_and_the_drawer_we_all_know_pretty_well_943d7ed0b2.jpg" alt="KNAUER: Standard 1/16” Capillary and needed tools and the drawer we all know pretty well" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Standard_1_16_Capillary_and_needed_tools_and_the_drawer_we_all_know_pretty_well_943d7ed0b2.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1277" height="456">Once cut, the tubing often required additional preparation. You might need to deburr the capillary using a grater, shape it carefully with bending tools, and then finally install it using separate fittings and ferrules. And of course, everyone remembers the frustration of dropping a ferrule onto the laboratory floor, where it effectively disappeared forever.At the same time, laboratories often accumulated drawers filled with pre-assembled capillaries that had fixed fittings attached. Reusing these assemblies was risky. If the fitting geometry did not perfectly match the receiving port, users could unintentionally introduce dead volume into the system. The result was often degraded chromatographic performance, broad peaks, and frustrating troubleshooting sessions involving the entire laboratory team. In worse cases, excessive force could damage threads or receiving ports while attempting to stop leaks.During that period, assembling and connecting a complete HPLC system could easily consume half a day of work.<h4>The Improvement: Flexible and Pre-Cut Capillaries</h4>Later, laboratories gradually adopted pre-cut tubing and flexible capillaries, which represented a significant improvement over manually preparing stainless steel tubing.With these newer capillaries, users simply selected the correct length and installed the tubing directly. Flexible capillaries adapted naturally to the required shape, eliminating much of the manual bending and shaping work. Installation became faster, easier, and far less stressful.Still, these systems had limitations. Although the capillary itself improved, the fitting technology remained largely unchanged. Many of these capillaries were still effectively single-use components. If a connection was installed incorrectly because the tubing was not fully inserted into the receiving port before tightening, the result was often another unusable capillary destined for the growing “capillary drawer.” Sustainability was certainly not a strong point of these systems.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_A_typical_capillary_drawer_It_was_tricky_to_open_and_close_it_sometimes_530dd2087c.webp" alt="KNAUER: A typical capillary drawer. It was tricky to open and close it sometimes" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_A_typical_capillary_drawer_It_was_tricky_to_open_and_close_it_sometimes_530dd2087c.webp 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="768">Even with these advancements, system setup still required considerable time and effort.<h4>The Real Breakthrough: Modern Tool-Free Connection Systems</h4>A major breakthrough finally arrived when manufacturers introduced a completely redesigned fitting and capillary concept aimed specifically at simplifying UHPLC connections.These newer systems came with fittings pre-installed directly on the capillary. Unlike traditional ferrule-based systems, the fittings automatically adjusted to different port depths and sealed directly at the bottom of the port. This dramatically reduced the amount of torque required and eliminated the need for complicated installation techniques.Perhaps the biggest advantage was convenience. These capillaries could be connected and disconnected more than 100 times without tools, while remaining entirely finger-tight. And best of all, ferrules no longer disappeared onto the laboratory floor.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_The_little_things_that_do_the_click_3a0469d516.jpg" alt="KNAUER: The little things that do the “click”" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_The_little_things_that_do_the_click_3a0469d516.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1866" height="1022">The system I currently use includes an especially useful feature: a patented torque-limiting mechanism that prevents both under-tightening and over-tightening. Once the correct torque is reached, the fitting produces a tactile “click,” providing immediate feedback that the connection is secure and properly installed every time.<h4>From Half a Day to Fifteen Minutes</h4>Thanks to these modern connection systems and pre-configured startup kits, installing an HPLC or UHPLC system today is dramatically faster than it used to be.What once consumed hours of work can now be completed in less than 15 minutes. The improvements in usability, reproducibility, and sustainability over recent years have been remarkable.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Trouble_free_connection_systom_for_HPLC_and_UHPLC_e62b80154b.webp" alt="KNAUER: Trouble-free connection systom for HPLC and UHPLC" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Trouble_free_connection_systom_for_HPLC_and_UHPLC_e62b80154b.webp 221w," sizes="100vw" width="690" height="487"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/KNAUER_Trouble_free_connection_systom_for_HPLC_and_UHPLC_2_71c24acdf5.webp" alt="KNAUER: Trouble-free connection systom for HPLC and UHPLC" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_KNAUER_Trouble_free_connection_systom_for_HPLC_and_UHPLC_2_71c24acdf5.webp 224w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1339">And while today’s solutions already represent a huge leap forward, the evolution of HPLC connection technology is certainly not over yet. Looking ahead, it will be exciting to see how future innovations continue to simplify chromatography workflows even further.<blockquote>If you want to learn more about KNAUER´s capillaries, fittings and (U)HPLC system start-up kits and are interested in details and numbers, I highly recommend our brand <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/r75ev6rjivdbid246k60zrs3gjpvwdi5b8em_fad0f92fd9.pdf">new tech note "Benefits of KNAUER´s trouble-free analytical capillaries in terms of HPLC and UHPLC system performance</a>" and a visit to our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/products/2402">products online</a>.</blockquote>

Let´s Connect a whole (U)HPLC system without tools and trouble

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 21, 2026

If you’ve reviewed your laboratory’s operational budget recently, you have likely noticed a troubling trend: the cost of keeping your instruments running is climbing, and nitrogen gas is a major culprit.According to Organomation’s newly released <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explore.organomation.com/nitrogen-usage-survey-2025-download">Nitrogen Usage 2025 Survey Report</a>, you are not alone in this frustration. In fact, 35% of laboratories ranked high costs as their number one frustration with their current nitrogen supply — overshadowing safety, logistics, and maintenance concerns.With 96% of labs expecting their nitrogen demand to increase or remain steady over the next three years, waiting for prices to drop isn’t a viable strategy. To protect your budget, you need to understand why prices are surging and, more importantly, how to insulate your lab from the volatility.<h3>The "Perfect Storm" Driving Prices Up</h3>As a chemist, you know that nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere. However, the industrial process of separating, purifying, compressing, and transporting it is energy-intensive and tied heavily to global markets. Three key factors are driving the 2025 price surge:<h4>1. Rising Energy Costs</h4>While nitrogen itself is free, the energy required to produce high-purity nitrogen gas (via fractional distillation) is not. Industrial gas manufacturing is heavily reliant on energy prices. In 2025, U.S. natural gas prices for industrial sectors have seen significant volatility, with some forecasts showing double-digit percentage increases for power plants due to export demands and tightening domestic supply. When the cost of energy rises,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/energy/high-rising-natural-gas-costs-may-spur-fresh-climb-us-coal-use-2025-12-03/"> gas suppliers pass those costs directly to the consumer</a>.<h4>2. The Logistics Premium</h4>If you rely on high-pressure cylinders or liquid dewars, you aren't just paying for gas; you are paying for diesel, driver wages, and truck maintenance. Logistics frustrations were a top complaint in our 2025 survey, particularly for labs using liquid dewars.<ul><li>Delivery Fees &amp; Surcharges: Fuel surcharges are now a standard line item on many invoices, fluctuating weekly with the oil market.</li><li>Cylinder Rental: The "rent" for holding steel cylinders often creeps up annually, regardless of how much gas you actually consume.</li></ul><h4>3. Hidden Waste (The "Boil-Off" Tax)</h4>For labs using liquid nitrogen dewars, the "price per liter" is deceptive. Liquid nitrogen constantly boils off to maintain its temperature. If your lab uses dewars for gaseous applications (like evaporation), you are paying for gas that vanishes into the room before it ever reaches your instrument. Our survey found that while dewars nominally cost $2.06/liter, the effective cost is often higher due to this inevitable waste.<h3>The Data: Cylinders vs. Generators</h3>The most striking finding from our 2025 Survey Report was the massive price disparity between supply methods. When we analyzed the average cost per liter across 78 laboratories, the data was clear:<h5>Nitrogen Source: Average Cost Per Liter</h5><ul><li>Gas Cylinders: $2.79</li><li>Liquid Dewars: $2.06</li><li>Lab-Scale Generator: $0.70</li></ul>Laboratories relying on cylinders are paying nearly 400% more per liter than those generating their own gas. Over the course of a year, this difference can amount to thousands of dollars in operational waste.<h3>How to Reduce the Price Tag: A Two-Step Strategy</h3>You cannot control the global energy market or supply chain logistics. However, you can control how you source and use your nitrogen.<h4>Step 1: Cut the Cord (Switch to Generation)</h4>The single most effective way to lower your nitrogen spend is to stop buying it in tanks. While the upfront cost of equipment can sometimes be a hurdle for capital budgets, new financial models are making this transition accessible for labs of all sizes.<h5>Why Generation Wins on Cost</h5>A nitrogen generator, like the Organomation NITRO-GEN, separates nitrogen from your lab's existing compressed air supply using a hollow-fiber membrane. Once installed, your "cost per liter" drops to essentially zero—you are only paying for the electricity to run the compressor.<ul><li>Rapid ROI: Most labs see a return on investment in 12 to 18 months by<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/how-much-could-i-save-switching-to-a-nitrogen-generator"> generating nitrogen</a>. After this break-even point, your nitrogen supply becomes a fixed asset rather than a monthly liability.</li><li>Operational Freedom: Weighing under 20 lbs and wall-mountable, the NITRO-GEN <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/1902">N2 generator</a> produces up to 20 L/min of gas, sufficient to support blowdown evaporators with up to 48 sample positions.</li></ul><h5>Overcoming the "Sticker Shock" with Lease-to-Own</h5>Historically, the barrier to entry for nitrogen generators has been the initial purchase price. To solve this, Organomation has introduced a Lease-to-Own program designed to align equipment costs with your operating budget rather than your capital reserves.This program transforms a large capital expenditure into a manageable monthly operating expense. Unlike standard rental agreements where payments are lost forever, this program allows you to build equity.<ul><li>Immediate Savings: You can install the unit and stop paying cylinder rental fees immediately, often letting the operational savings offset the lease payments.</li><li>Path to Ownership: At the end of the lease term, you own the equipment outright—often for a nominal final payment (as low as $1).</li><li>Preserve Capital: By spreading the cost over time, you keep your cash reserves available for other critical research needs or staffing.</li></ul>By leveraging a lease-to-own model, you can "cut the cord" on gas contracts today without waiting for next year’s capital budget approval.<h4>Step 2: Optimize Your Usage (Stop Wasting Gas)</h4>Even with a cheap supply, wasting gas is bad science and bad business. especially if you use nitrogen for sample concentration (blowdown evaporation).<ul><li>Use Individual Flow Control: Many basic evaporators blow gas into every position, regardless of whether a sample is present. High-quality units (like the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products?category=3&amp;manufacturerItems=540&amp;search=N-EVAP"> N-EVAP</a>) feature individual needle valves for each sample position. Rule of thumb: If you are running 10 samples in a 24-position unit, ensure the other 14 needles are closed.</li><li>Check for Leaks: It sounds basic, but a loose fitting on a regulator can waste cylinders of gas over a weekend. A simple "snoop test" (soapy water) on your connections every quarter is a zero-cost maintenance habit that saves money.</li><li>Optimize Bath Temperature: In nitrogen blowdown evaporation, gas flow and temperature work together. If your water bath is too cool, you have to blow gas for longer to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/optimum-temperature-for-nitrogen-evaporation-instruments">achieve dryness</a>. Ensuring your bath is at the optimal temperature for your solvent (e.g., 35-40°C for DCM) reduces the total time the gas needs to run.</li></ul><h3>Conclusion</h3>The era of "cheap" delivered gas is likely behind us. As the 2025 survey data shows, labs sticking to the status quo of cylinders and dewars are facing rising costs and logistical headaches. By transitioning to on-demand generation and optimizing your evaporation workflows, you can insulate your lab from market volatility and keep your budget focused on research, not utility bills.<blockquote>Want to see the full data? Download the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://explore.organomation.com/nitrogen-usage-survey-2025-download"> Laboratory Nitrogen Usage Report </a>to benchmark your lab’s spending against industry peers.Curious about your potential savings? Try our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/how-much-could-i-save-switching-to-a-nitrogen-generator">Nitrogen Generator Savings Calculator </a>to see exactly how much you could save by making the switch.</blockquote>

Why Nitrogen Is Costing Labs More Than Ever — And How to Reduce the High Price Tag

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Why Nitrogen Is Costing Labs More Than Ever — And How to Reduce the High Price Tag

News from LabRulezLCMS Library - Week 21, 2026

Let´s Connect a whole (U)HPLC system without tools and trouble