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peteza
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What's the purpose of the regulated helium source going into the solvent reservoirs in HPLC? Is it just to degas the solvents? Does it have any other use?
The purpose of a helium source in HPLC is to degas the mobile phase, which removes any dissolved gases that may interfere with the separation and detection of the sample components. Helium is used because it is an inert gas and does not react with the components of the mobile phase or the sample.
The helium source is connected to a degasser, which is a device that removes dissolved gases from the mobile phase by passing it through a membrane. The helium gas is used to create a vacuum, which pulls the dissolved gases out of the mobile phase and into a waste container.
Degassing is important in HPLC because dissolved gases can cause bubbles in the mobile phase, which can affect the accuracy and reproducibility of the analysis. These bubbles can also cause fluctuations in the baseline, making it difficult to accurately detect and quantify the sample components.
Yes, other gases such as nitrogen or argon can also be used for degassing in HPLC. However, helium is often preferred because it has a smaller molecular size and is more efficient at removing dissolved gases from the mobile phase.
In addition to degassing, the helium source can also be used for pressure control in the HPLC system. It can be used to maintain a constant pressure in the system, which is important for maintaining the flow rate and ensuring consistent separations. Helium can also be used as a carrier gas in gas chromatography, which is often coupled with HPLC for more comprehensive analyses.