I was wondering if anyone had a good approach method to my situation.

I have "inherited" approx 30 columns of varying condition, type, etc, and have a log book from some time ago as to their use, etc.

The columns haven't been used for some time, (though I don't know how long) and their applications were varied.

I have been asked to try to see if any of them would be beneficial to our department, but of course it would take a long time for me to test all of them.

Does anone have any suggestions as to how I sort out the potentially "useful" ones (which may produce adequate separations) from ones which, in the words of my supervisor "we may as well eliminate from the equation now).

All help gladly appreciated.

What is cost of a "successful" test in labor $$$ ? I'd bet this isn't worth your time. You certainly wouldn't want to use any of those for methods development work because you couldn't rely that a brand-new column from the supplier would behave similarly (always start with a brand-new or near-new column for that).

I had the same experience after a company merger. I had about two dozen columns to sort through. What I did first was to look for columns with stationary phases different from what I already had. Since I already had several C18 colums, for example, I didn't bother looking at the "inherited" C18 colums. Since NH2 and CN columns tend to have short lifetimes, I didn't bother with them either. I did find a couple of chiral columns that worked well (and were very expensive), so I kept them. I also kept a couple of base-deactivated C8 columns for garbage (non-GLP) use.

If you only do "official" HPLC work, then I would not risk using these columns. If you want to do basic, off-the-record work, then you could probably find uses for your inherited columns.

Thanks to all! As I only have one column which I have recently bought, (our dept. is quite newly formed), this is why my manager is keen to see whether any other columns can be found before we buy them.

I have isolated about 7 columns which, from the HPLC logbook for these columns have no record of use, so I am intending to look at these only.

Wouls anyone hazard a guess as to the "lifetime" of a column which has not been used? Some of these columns were puchased about 15-20 years ago, but have not been used. do you think they would have any advantage over, say, columns about the same age which had been used, or would anything happen to them, would they degrade, etc?

Any columns from 15-20 years ago should just be replaced. Column technology is pretty different from the early to mid 80s.

All HPLC column comes with their COA and performance report and can be washed and rechecked with the condition mentioned my supplier. The 20 years old columns with large particle size and old packing technology may not be suitable for todays requirments. But you can always "try " with your analytes and see if they are still usable.

You might also want to check to see if these columns are still available before you do any work with them. No need to check out a column and develop a method using it if you can no longer buy it.

Even for columns that old, it depends on how they were stored. If they were stored in an organic solvent they are brand-new even after 25 years. If they were stored in an aqueous mobile phase, they should go either into the trash can or into your company museum, but not on an HPLC instrument.
PS: back then, there were no COAs, maybe a test rather meaningless test chromatogram, at best...