Unlike traditional methods, this flowmeter is always on, allowing for more accurate measurements
Flow rate is a useful indicator for any liquid chromatography system, a system that separates specific units of a mixture through analytical chemistry.
This measurement determines retention time or volume and ultimately influences reproducibility, since it identifies each component present. It can be useful for a variety of operations, including calibrating the flow rate of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pumps and troubleshooting defective systems.
Traditionally, flow rate is calculated through periodic checks, providing a brief glimpse of the HPLC system’s performance at that moment in time.
Specialist supplier Testa Analytical Solutions has developed a more flexible system, however. Its liquid chromatography flowmeter continuously measures pump performance in real time and uses a high-resolution thermal sensor that does not interrupt this measurement. It is powered by a USB connection and small enough to keep out of the way.
A German analytical services company has been using Testa's liquid flowmeter to qualify the operation and performance of its three HPLC systems to be used in customer GLP, GCP and GMP projects.
“We find that using the Testa flowmeter allows us to qualify our instruments efficiently and accurately,” said a scientist at the company. “It saves a lot of time, is easy and straightforward to use.”
The company previously used a traditional volumetric method to measure flow rate, but it was too time-consuming. “The use of the flowmeter significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to qualify our equipment and is a reliable tool that can be applied to help us monitor HPLC pump performance at any point,” they said.
In June, Testa produced a report demonstrating its noninvasive HPLC flowmeter, assessed by measuring the flow rate obtained with different solvents with a device calibrated in water. The report found that Testa's flowmeter can be used to identify flow rates of a variety of solvents in real-time, meaning scientists can count on flow rate data being correct regardless of the HPLC application.
