What are the common ways I can use to fill my chromatography column?

The most common ways to fill a chromatography column is through the dry packing and wet packing methods. The simplest form of dry packing is the tap-fill method, which involves tapping the column on a hard surface while the packing is added through a stationary funnel fitted with a distribution head. Dry silica or alumina is typically directly added to the column, and solvent is allowed to flow through in small amounts, then packed with pressure.

In the wet packing method the column is filled with solvent first, and then dry silica or alumina is added in. The liquid and solid are mixed outside of the column. After being added in, it is packed with pressure. Solvents such as hexanes, or acetones are used in order for the sample to be dissolved.