[asa029]

What method of column packing do you prefer and why?

I usually slurry pack my columns. I think its just out of habit more than anything.

[408]

Was taught dry at school.  I use slurry now because it is faster to get the collumn ready.

[Doc Oc]

Slurry.  I tried dry packing once (so my technique was probably off), but I had tons of air bubbles that just wouldn't shake loose and eventually became cracks in the silica so I ended up re-packing the column via slurry anyways.

[Honclbrif]

What J-bone said.

Always slurry pack. You get a better column faster.

[Honclbrif]

Also, Cool Story Bro:

Once had some bubbles in a column I just couldn't shake free and I thought, "Hmmm... Maybe if I put some vacuum on it it will pull those bubble up and out". Let's just say I removed a little more than just the air bubbles.

I also have a lab mate who swears that the best way to get bubbles out of a column is by agitation with a "personal massager". I think the principle is sound, but probably not worth the slew of hostile work environment lawsuits it would precipitate.

[OC pro]

In my Ph.D. times I used to knock at my column while rotating. Was quite effective for removal of air bubbles. With my experience now, it seems to make no effect at all. Just slurry the silica and let the solvent ran through. Maybe help by stirring with a glass rod.

[asa029]

In my Ph.D. times I used to knock at my column while rotating. Was quite effective for removal of air bubbles. With my experience now, it seems to make no effect at all. Just slurry the silica and let the solvent ran through. Maybe help by stirring with a glass rod.

For removing bubbles and for packing the column, I usually apply nitrogen pressure to the top of the column. This works beautifully and i never have problems with bubbles or imperfections in the silica.

[BluePill]

I do what asa029 said. I push N₂ into the column and hitting the glass of the column with a tissue roll. It prevents air bubbles.

[408]

I also have a lab mate who swears that the best way to get bubbles out of a column is by agitation with a "personal massager". I think the principle is sound, but probably not worth the slew of hostile work environment lawsuits it would precipitate.

I told one of my friends about this idea when she was doing a collumn this week, who is rather, ummm... uninhibited...and she says she sometimes uses her vibrator for the same thing.  

[BluePill]

408, can't stop laughing. ))))

[asa029]

I also have a lab mate who swears that the best way to get bubbles out of a column is by agitation with a "personal massager". I think the principle is sound, but probably not worth the slew of hostile work environment lawsuits it would precipitate.

I told one of my friends about this idea when she was doing a collumn this week, who is rather, ummm... uninhibited...and she says she sometimes uses her vibrator for the same thing.  

Haha, I wonder what my professor would say if I brought a vibrator to the lab to "get the bubbles out". Haha:D

[408]

One way to find out 

[orgopete]

Was taught dry at school.  I use slurry now because it is faster to get the collumn ready.

Slurry, faster.

[karbon]

Sort of a hybrid method, but I usually just put silica in the column, flush some solvent though, add more solvent till its like 3/4th full and shake it.