Automated system for handling components of a chromatographic system

An automated system for handling components of a chromatographic system, comprises: one or more trap columns 10 each having sorbent material 6 therein; a robotic system for moving a trap column from a storage position to an operating position where the trap column is connected in a liquid pathway along which solvent is flowed in operation to a liquid chromatography (LC) column; and an optical sensor for sensing one or more parameters of the trap column. Sensed parameters can include: a presence or absence of a trap column in the operating position, a position or orientation of the trap column, a fluid level in the trap column, the presence and position of a sorbent material in the trap column, the condition of the trap column and/or whether the trap column is new or used. The optical sensor may comprise an LED, and a linear array optical detector 32, such as a CCD or linear photodiode array. Preferably, the one or more trap columns are solid phase extraction (SPE) tips.