Overview

Chemical Solutions™ HSQ™ Qualification Kits are optimized for use with the standard 75 mm HSQ™ qualification column. However, laboratories that still utilize the legacy 150 mm PQ™ column can continue to perform qualification testing by making several method adjustments.

These modifications compensate for differences in column length and chromatographic behavior while maintaining qualification functionality.

Why Adjustments Are Required

The 150 mm PQ™ column is twice the length of the standard 75 mm HSQ™ qualification column.

As a result, chromatographic characteristics such as:

• Retention times
• Backpressure
• Analysis time
• Peak migration

will differ from the standard HSQ™ operating conditions.

Appropriate adjustments help normalize performance expectations and maintain consistent qualification procedures.

Recommended Operating Adjustments

Flow Rate

Standard HSQ™ Method:  2.0 mL/min

Recommended for 150 mm PQ™ Column:  1.0 mL/min

Reducing the flow rate helps maintain suitable operating conditions for the longer column.

Retention Times

The longer column increases analyte retention.

Recommended Adjustment:

• Multiply expected retention times by approximately four (4×)

This adjustment provides a practical guideline for evaluating chromatographic results when using the 150 mm column.

Injection Volume

Standard HSQ™ Method:  8 µL

Recommended for 150 mm PQ™ Column:  12 µL

Increasing injection volume may help maintain suitable detector response under the modified conditions.

Gradient Qualification Tests

Standard HSQ™ Method:  5-minute gradient steps

Recommended for 150 mm PQ™ Column:  10-minute gradient steps

This adjustment is particularly useful when evaluating systems with larger dwell volumes or slower gradient response characteristics.

Parameters That Remain Unchanged

Aside from the specific modifications described above, other qualification procedures and acceptance criteria remain unchanged.

This includes:

• Solution usage
• Qualification calculations
• Qualification objectives
• Performance assessments

Only the operating parameters required to accommodate the longer column need adjustment.

Benefits of the Standard HSQ™ Column

When available, the 75 mm HSQ™ column remains the preferred option.

Advantages include:

• Shorter run times
• Reduced solvent consumption
• Increased laboratory productivity
• Faster qualification completion

In many laboratories, qualification testing using the 75 mm HSQ™ column can reduce overall run times by approximately 75% compared to legacy methods.

Technical Support

If assistance is needed when modifying qualification spreadsheets, adjusting retention times, or configuring qualification methods for the 150 mm PQ™ column, technical support resources are available to help ensure successful implementation.

Key Takeaways

• HSQ™ solutions can be used with legacy 150 mm PQ™ columns.
• Flow rate should be reduced from 2.0 mL/min to 1.0 mL/min.
• Retention times should be adjusted by approximately 4×.
• Injection volume should increase from 8 µL to 12 µL.
• Gradient steps should be extended from 5 minutes to 10 minutes when appropriate.
• The 75 mm HSQ™ column remains the recommended configuration for routine qualification testing.

For Chemical Solutions™ HSQ™ and PQ™ Qualification Kit Specifications, Qualification Resources, Product Images, and Ordering Information, view Chemical Solutions™ HSQ™ and PQ™ Qualification Kit Specifications, Qualification Resources, Product Images, and Ordering Information.