[mandytan]

Hi,
I have a question on HPLC analysis.
If use the same column and keep all other chromatographic conditions the same, will increasing the flow rate shorten the retention time,i.e. allow substances to elute out faster?

[Arkcon]

Yes, but you will also lose resolution, also increased flow rate will mean greater back pressure.  Columns vary on their quality and ability to survive at max pressure over time.  For some very old HPLC systems, high pressure can cause the pump components to fail prematurely.

[Arkcon]

I wanted to give you this web page sooner, but I couldn't find it.  Its an online calculator for HPLC column scale-up.  If you keep all the column parameters the same (because you're not scaling up,) and just change the flow rate, you can see how much time you'll save, and how much a  pressure parameter you supply will rise.

http://hplctransfer.com/IsocraticMethod.aspx