HPLC Systems

HPLC is a separation technique in which liquid is used to force the sample at high pressure through a column packed with stationary phase in order to identify and/or quantify the components. A typical HPLC system consists of a pump (consistent flow rate is key), an injector or autosampler, and at least one detector. Also, HPLC systems often use a column oven to adjust and control the temperature of the separation step. A variety of detector types are available, including UV-VIS, refractive index (RI), photo diode array, and fluorescence.

Biochemistry, biology, and the pharmaceutical industry all make use of the high resolution and fast separation possible with an HPLC system. Buyers can choose all-in-one systems, which tend to be more economical, or modular components, which ensure easier upgradeability in the future. Systems designed specifically for biomolecule separation are one area of interest. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography, or UHPLC, is a common buzzword; the switch often requires additional method development, but can pay off in terms of throughput and speed.