| CHROMATOGRAPHY |
|
| Objective |
- Understand effects of distributor and collector
designs and process parameters on flow field
- Define a system that provides "plug flow"
- Eliminate back mixing in distribution system
|
| Results
|
- Velocity field inside column
- Determine flow uniformity, plug flow
- Locate channeling & vortexing regions
- Back mixing in distributors
- Statistical analysis of velocity variations
|
- Degree of velocity variation and percentage of column
affected
- Performance comparison of different column
configurations
|
| Benefits
|
- Identify key physical design parameters to increase
performance
- Identify process parameters that does not have a
significant effect on system performance
(e.g., the equipment design was controlling a parameter)
|
|
| Process
Parameters |
- Flow rate
- Inlet velocity
- Screen permeability
|
- Packed bed permeability
- Distributor & collector geometry
|
| Performance
Evaluations |
- Statistical analysis
- Velocity variance at different elevations throughout
packed bed
- Plug flow
- Higher velocity variations will yield a greater loss
in capacity
- Channeling & vortexing regions in column may
cause:
- Dilution of product in eluate
- Diminished separation capability due to band spreading
- Slower production rates
- Increased number of columns to meet production
- Residence time
|
