Are your chromatography system’s pressure alarms and slow flow rates stressing you out? Read on to learn how to quickly identify possible causes and how to fix them.
If your runs keep stopping because your chromatography system’s pressure alarm keeps going off, it’s time to look at a few possible causes. Three possible causes of back pressure increases are:
- Precipitated protein in the column filter and/or at the top of the bed
- Clogged in-line filters
- Turbid sample
Likewise, if your flow rate keeps decreasing, you may be encountering problems such as bed compression or a clogged column filter.
The most common reasons for reduced flow or back pressure increases, and how to fix them, are summarized by Cytiva R&D protein purification experts in the following tables.
Possible cause |
Feature |
Bed compressed |
|
Microbal growth has occurred in column |
|
Clogged end-piece, adapter, or tubing |
|
Outlet closed or pumps not working |
|
Too small system tubing i.d. for flow rate used |
|
Sample too viscous |
|
Sample not filtered properly |
|
Clogged column filter |
|
Possible cause |
Remedy |
Precipitated protein in column filter and/or at top of bed |
|
Clogged in-line filters |
|
Turbid sample |
|
Are your chromatography system’s pressure alarms and slow flow rates stressing you out? Read on to learn how to quickly identify possible causes and how to fix them.
If your runs keep stopping because your chromatography system’s pressure alarm keeps going off, it’s time to look at a few possible causes. Three possible causes of back pressure increases are:
- Precipitated protein in the column filter and/or at the top of the bed
- Clogged in-line filters
- Turbid sample
Likewise, if your flow rate keeps decreasing, you may be encountering problems such as bed compression or a clogged column filter.
The most common reasons for reduced flow or back pressure increases, and how to fix them, are summarized by Cytiva R&D protein purification experts in the following tables.
Possible cause |
Feature |
Bed compressed |
|
Microbal growth has occurred in column |
|
Clogged end-piece, adapter, or tubing |
|
Outlet closed or pumps not working |
|
Too small system tubing i.d. for flow rate used |
|
Sample too viscous |
|
Sample not filtered properly |
|
Clogged column filter |
|
Possible cause |
Remedy |
Precipitated protein in column filter and/or at top of bed |
|
Clogged in-line filters |
|
Turbid sample |
|