New moisture filter for Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC)

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) is a chromatographic separation technique that is becoming an appealing alternative in many applications. It uses a distinctive carrier fluid for separation where the mobile phase is pushed above its critical point in pressure and temperature, so that it displays properties of both a gas and a liquid. 

Chromatography Research Supplies (CRS) has developed a moisture filter specifically targeted to SFC end-users in petrochemical analysis using carbon dioxide as their mobile phase. In this specific application, the adsorption properties of the typical 5A or 13X molecular sieve media can cause rapid heating of the purifier cylinders from CO2 adsorption as well as the intended H2O molecules. With the CRS 3A molecular sieve filter, the smaller pore size allows for the removal of moisture while excluding almost all larger molecules, including the CO2 being used as the carrier. In the petroleum industry, both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) have approved ASTM D6550 and ASTM D5186 for final product release of gasoline and diesel fuels. In this type of application, the reduced heating of 3A is expected to reduce desorption of already bound moisture, protecting sensitive and expensive columns.