Abstract:

AbstractAn improved visualization device made of polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA), packed with C18, was utilized to study the 3D flow profile of conical columns with an angle of 10°. The outside wall of the conical columns was a rectangular shape in order to improve the transparency property of the column wall and reduce the deformation of image for better observation of the flow profiles of colored solutes inside the column. The influence of mobile phase flow rate, particle size and shape on the flow profile of a colored band was studied both for a 5 cm long column and a scaled-up column of 4 fold in volume. The experimental results show that the flow rate of mobile phase has a little influence on the flat flow profiles of the iodine band while the properties of stationary phase have a certain influence on them. The flow profiles of the scaled-up column are flat during the whole chromatographic process, and the efficiency and resolution of the column are also increased in accordance with theoretical prediction. The results indicate that the 10° conical columns can be proportionally scaled up while still keeping the flat flow profile and superior column efficiency than conventional column.

Key words: Conical chromatographic column; Visualization; Column scale-up; Flow profile; Preparative liquid chromatography