A HPLC system is laboratory equipment which is used to distributes components to separate between two phases, one stationary (stationary phase), the other (the mobile phase) moving in a definite direction.
“ HPLC is an analytical and as well a preparative technique where a liquid is pumped through a bed of very finely packed particles. The analytes in the mobile phase are interacting with the chemical groups on the particles. Some analytes will have a higher affinity than others for the stationary particles and thus will permit the separation of the various analytes. The beginning of HPLC goes back in the 60’s where Jim Waters designed a refractive index detector for Dow Chemicals permirring to work on the separation of polymers. These separation were using gels in order to separate the molecular sizes of various polymer.” Richard Routhier, MSc. Chemistry, University of Montreal.
HPLC stands for High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Liquid chromatography is performed with an HPLC system. The moving phase (eluent) is pumped under high pressure (up to 200 bar) through a highly packed column.
By means of high pressure and good contact with the stationary phase, a relatively high separation speed and a very good resolution are achieved. The running time can vary from 5 to 60 minutes for the measurement of one sample with HPLC.
