The best way to protect an analytical column from fouling is to install a guard column between the injection valve and the analytical column

Opti-Guard sets the standard for low impact, easy to use pre-column protection. Designed for use with analytical (4.6, 3.0 mm ID) and narrow-bore (2.1, 1.0 mm ID) columns, the patented floating stem design automatically adjust to any manufacturer's tube stop depth for a repeatable zero-dead-volume connection every time.

Connecting the Opti-Guard requires no extra tubing or tools, maintaining the minimal impact philosophy that makes the Opti-Guard line so popular. As always, custom packing material is available.

The guard column traps particulates, solvent impurities, and retained sample components. The ideal guard column should have no effect on the separation. In order to achieve this, a guard column with matching bonded phase and optimal hardware configuration should be selected.