Ghost-Buster Columns - FAQs

Welch Ghost-Buster Columns can effectively remove impurities with low polarity and thus prevents the interference from all kinds of ghost peaks. It is installed between gradient mixer and injector, which helps remove not only the impurities in mobile phase, but impurities in mixer and pipelines as well.

What’s the lifetime of Ghost-Buster column?

The longevity of the Ghost-Buster column hinges on various factors, including analysis conditions, solvent brand, and mobile phase purity. When the mobile phase, like water/methanol, is pretty simple and the Ghost-Buster column is handled with care, it can endure for over a year with approximately 3000 injections.

It's advisable to consider replacing the Ghost-Buster column once its trapping efficacy starts to decline.

What's the cleaning protocol, and how often should we clean the column?

The Ghost-Buster column doesn't require specific washing procedures since impurity adsorption is irreversible.

Does the Ghost-Buster column work with ion pair reagent mobile phases?

The suitability of using an ion pair mobile phase with a new Ghost-Buster column should be determined through testing, as the sorbent in the Ghost-Buster column may absorb the ion pair reagent.

In many instances, it may not be compatible with mobile phases containing ion pair reagents such as sodium 1-heptanesulfonate or tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. However, there are cases where the Ghost-Buster column might not significantly affect retention and peak shape. In these situations, the Ghost-Buster column could be dedicated solely to the specific ion pair reagent used, and should not be employed with a different ion pair reagent mobile phase.

Can the Ghost-Buster column handle various types of mobile phases like potassium phosphate, sodium phosphate, ammonium acetate, TFA, formic acid, etc.?

The Ghost-Buster column is compatible with various types of mobile phases, excluding those containing ammonium ions. Other reagents like potassium phosphate, sodium phosphate, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), formic acid, and similar substances are typically acceptable for use with the Ghost-Buster column.

Is Ghost-Buster column compatible with 100% aqueous buffers or 100 % organic solvents?

The Ghost-Buster column isn't compatible with 100% aqueous buffers. It's essential to include at least 5%-10% organic phase in the mobile phase. A low percentage of organic phase (<5%) may lead to an unstable baseline. In such cases, the Ghost-Buster II column, 3.0×50mm (P/N 06100-31016), is recommended.

The Ghost-Buster column can indeed be utilised with 100% organic solvents.

What is the column volume of Ghost-Buster column?

The column volume of the Ghost-Buster HP Column is approximately 60-100 μL, whereas the Ghost-Buster Column has a larger column volume ranging from 500-1400 μL.

What’s pH range of Ghost-Buster column?

The Ghost-Buster column is versatile and can be utilized at any pH range.

What’s the packing materials of Ghost-Buster column?

The packing material within the Ghost-Buster column is a kind of hydrophobic material, enabling it to efficiently and irreversibly capture and retain impurities present in the mobile phase.

What’s the difference between Ghost-Buster and

Ghost-Buster II column?

When the initial proportion of the aqueous phase is high, typically exceeding 95%, conventional Ghost-Buster columns effectively remove impurities. However, occasional ghost peaks may persist, especially if there's a sudden drastic change in the mobile phase proportion within a few minutes or if the baseline exhibits significant fluctuations. In response to this challenge, Welch Materials introduced the Ghost-Buster II Column, which features enhanced capabilities to absorb impurities in the mobile phase and eliminate ghost peaks. Through upgrades and improvements, this column addresses baseline drift caused by excessive initial proportions of the aqueous phase in gradient programs, ensuring a stable baseline  and  reducing the likelihood of baseline fluctuations

What’s the difference between Ghost-Buster column and Guard column?

1. Both the Ghost-Buster column and Guard column can indeed serve as filters to eliminate solid particles from the mobile phase.
2. Ghost-Buster column is installed after mixer, before injector, ensuring it doesn't impact the sample solutions. While Guard column is installed after injector, before HPLC column. Its purpose is to shield the HPLC column from strongly retained samples, enhancing column longevity and performance.
3. The packing material within the Ghost-Buster column comprises hydrophobic material, facilitating efficient capture and retention of impurities in the mobile phase. While, the packing material inside the Guard Cartridge is identical to that of the HPLC column, ensuring compatibility and continuity of chromatographic conditions between the Guard column and the analytical column.

How to select the optimal dimension of a

Ghost-Buster column for optimal performance?

HPLC Columns

UHPLC Columns