DM Series GC Capillary Column Installation Instructions

1. Check Instrument System
  • Cool all heated zones, such as injection, detector and so on.
  • Visually inspect septum, liner, O-ring, and replace if broken or dirty.
2. Prepare Column for Installation
  • Set make-up and detector gas flow rates.
  • Install a nut and an appropriately sized ferrule on each end of column.
  • Cut 1–2 cm from each end of column to prevent ferrule fragments. Port cutting must be smooth.
  • Place the column on the holder in the oven, keep the side with words towards your face.
3. Install Column
  • Connect the column to the inlet at the instrument manufacturer’s recommended insertion distance.
  • Set column head pressure or column flow rate, split ratio, septum purge and any other applicable inlet parameters.
  • Confirm flow by immersing column outlet in a vial of organic solvent (e.g., n-hexane). Observe whether there are uniform air bubbles. If yes, clean the solvent from the column outlet and cut 1–2 cm from the column end. If no, check the instrument system.
  • Connect the column to the outlet at the instrument manufacturer’s recommended insertion distance.
Attention: Some detectors (e.g., ECD, NPD, MS) specify that a new column be conditioned before being connected to the detector. Also, detector must be sealed with no-hole ferrule and nut.
4. Check for Leaks
  • Check for leaks at the injector and detector, using a thermal conductivity leak detector. Do not use soaps or liquids to check for leaks.
  • Set injector and detector temperatures and turn on detector.
Attention: Do not exceed the phase’s maximum isotherm operating temperature! See the attached temperature limits list.
  • Check again for leaks, because O2 will damage the column.
5. Conditioning Column

To further ensure the homogeneity and stability of phase, the new column must be conditioned before using. This helps provide a more stable baseline.

  • Before conditioning, purge the column at 40–50 ℃ for a minimum of 20 min.

Normal Capillary Column Conditioning Method

Normal Capillary Column
Initial temperature: 50 ℃
Heating rate: 5 ℃/min
Raise the temperature to the conditioning temperature, which is about 20 ℃ higher than the maximum experiment using temperature.

Never exceed the phase’s maximum isotherm operating temperature. The suggested temperature is 10–20 ℃ lower than the phase’s maximum isotherm operating temperature.

Keep at the conditioning temperature for 1–2 h.

PLOT Series Capillary Columns

PLOT series capillary column conditioning methods are different because of the phase.

a. PLOT Q, QS, S, U Column
Initial temperature: 50 ℃
Heating rate: 5 ℃/min
Raise the temperature to the phase’s maximum isotherm operating temperature.
Keep for at least 1 h.
b. PLOT MS 5A, Alumina, Alumina/Na2SO4, Alumina/KCl, CFC Column
Initial temperature: 50 ℃
Heating rate: 5 ℃/min
Raise the temperature to the phase’s maximum isotherm operating temperature.
Keep for at least 2 h.
  • For sensitive detectors or highly sensitive analyses, longer conditioning times might be necessary until the baseline is stable. Conditioning time should not be more than 4 h for any capillary column.
  • When using Vespel or graphite/Vespel ferrules, re-tighten the fitting after conditioning, and periodically check for leaks.
  • If the column is not connected to the detector (e.g., ECD, NPD, MS), cut 10–20 cm from the end of column, make the connection with detector, and check for leaks.
  • If necessary, follow the COA method to evaluate whether the column is qualified.
  • Please check the instrument system again when emerging questions, such as tailing peaks or poor reproducibility.
  • Set instrument parameters and start the experiment.
Temperature Limits: Each column has temperature lower and upper limits. If exceeding the temperature lower limit, resolution and peak shape will be abnormal, but this will not damage the column.

The temperature upper limit consists of two temperatures. The lower temperature is the maximum isotherm temperature on which the column can be used normally. The higher temperature is the maximum programming temperature and should not be held for more than 10 min.

Operating at a higher temperature than the temperature limit will reduce the column lifetime.
6. Storage
  • After the experiment, cool all heated zones below 50 ℃, unload the column, seal each end of the column with cap ends or septums, put it in the column box, and store in a cool and dry place.
  • Attention: Label the injection port side and detector port side, following the same direction next time for use.

Attached List — Temperature Limits of GC Columns

Column / Phase Temperature Limits (℃) Column / Phase Temperature Limits (℃)
100% Dimethylpolysiloxane DM-InertWax 0.25/0.32 mm 20 to 250
DM-1 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.10–0.50 μm -60 to 330/350 DM-InertWax 0.53 mm 20 to 240/250
DM-1 MS -60 to 330/350 Modified Polyethylene glycol  
DM-1 0.25 mm, 1.00 μm -60 to 330/340 DM-FFAP 0.25/0.32 mm 40 to 250
DM-1 0.32 mm, 1.00 μm -60 to 320/340 DM-FFAP 0.53 mm, 0.50–1.00 μm 40 to 240/250
DM-1 0.32 mm, 1.50 μm -60 to 310/330 DM-FFAP 0.53 mm, 1.50 μm 40 to 220/230
DM-1 0.53 mm, 0.50–1.50 μm -60 to 310/330 100% Trifluoropropylmethylpolysiloxane
DM-1 0.32 mm, 3.00–4.00 μm -60 to 280/300 DM-200 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.25 μm -20 to 320/340
DM-1 0.32 mm, 5.00 μm -60 to 260/280 DM-200 MS -20 to 320/340
DM-1 HT -60 to 400 DM-200 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.50 μm -20 to 310/330
5% Diphenyl-95% Dimethylpolysiloxane DM-200 0.25/0.32/0.53 mm, 1.00 μm -20 to 290/310
DM-5 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.10–0.50 μm -60 to 330/350 DM-200 0.32/0.53 mm, 1.50 μm -20 to 280/300
DM-5 0.32 mm, 1.00 μm -60 to 330/350 DM-200 0.53 mm, 0.50 μm -20 to 300/320
DM-5 MS -60 to 330/350 DM-200 0.53 mm, 3.00 μm -20 to 260/280
DM-5 0.25 mm, 1.00 μm -60 to 320/340 90% Biscyanopropyl-10% Cyanopropylphenylpolysiloxane
DM-5 0.32 mm, 1.50 μm -60 to 310/330 DM-2330 0 to 260/275
DM-5 0.53 mm, 0.50–1.50 μm -60 to 310/330 Al2O3
DM-5 0.32 mm, 3.00 μm -60 to 280/300 DM-PLOT Alumina 200
DM-5 0.32 mm, 5.00 μm -60 to 260/280 DM-PLOT Alumina-Na2SO4 200
DM-5 0.53 mm, 3.00–5.00 μm -60 to 270/290 DM-PLOT Alumina-KCl 200
DM-5 HT -60 to 400 DM-PLOT CFC 200
5% Diphenyl-95% Phenylarylene dimethylpolysiloxane 5A Molecular sieve
DM-5MS/LB -60 to 330/350 DM-PLOT MS 5A 300
35% Diphenyl-65% Dimethylpolysiloxane Divinylbenzene
DM-35 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.25 μm 40 to 320 DM-PLOT Q 280/300
DM-35 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.50 μm 40 to 310 DM-PLOT QS 250
DM-35 0.53 mm, 1.00 μm 40 to 290 DM-PLOT S 250
DM-35MS 50 to 340/360 DM-PLOT U 190
50% Diphenyl-50% Dimethylpolysiloxane Special Columns
DM-17 40 to 280/320 DM-PONA -60 to 300/340
DM-17MS 40 to 340/360 DM-TCEP 0 to 135
6% Cyanopropylphenyl-50% Dimethylpolysiloxane DM-Volatile Amine -60 to 290
DM-624 -20 to 240 DM-5 Amine 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.50–1.00 μm -60 to 300/315
DM-624MS -20 to 300/320 DM-5 Amine 0.32 mm, 1.50 μm -60 to 290/305
14% Cyanopropylphenyl-86% Dimethylpolysiloxane DM-5 Amine 0.53 mm, 1.00 μm -60 to 290/305
DM-1701 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.25 μm -20 to 280 DM-5 Amine 0.53 mm, 3.00 μm -60 to 280/295
DM-1701 0.25/0.32 mm, 0.50 μm -20 to 270/280 DM-35 Amine 0 to 220
DM-1701 0.25/0.32 mm, 1.00 μm -20 to 260/280 DM-Wax Amine 40 to 210/220
DM-1701 0.53 mm, 0.50 μm -20 to 260/270 DM-TVOC 300/320
DM-1701 0.53 mm, 1.00 μm -20 to 250/270 DM-PAH 40 to 340/360
DM-1701 0.53 mm, 1.50 μm -20 to 240/260 DM-FAMEWAX 20 to 250
DM-1701 0.53 mm, 3.00 μm -20 to 230/250 DM-2560 20 to 250
50% Cyanopropylmethyl-50% Phenylmethylpolysiloxane DM-1HT SimDist Metal -60 to 450
DM-225 0.25/0.32 mm 40 to 220/240 DM-1 SimDist Metal -60 to 430
DM-225 0.53 mm 40 to 200/220 DM-500 SimDist Metal -60 to 430
Polyethylene glycol DM-2887 -60 to 360
DM-Wax 0.25/0.32/0.53 mm, 0.25–1.00 μm 40 to 250/260 DM-2887 Metal -60 to 400
DM-Wax 0.53 mm, 2.00 μm 40 to 220/230 DM-BDTG Metal -60 to 380/430
Attention: Do not exceed the phase’s maximum isotherm operating temperature!

 

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