The Chromatographic System

A GPC column is represented in Fig. 1. The total column volume V oi can be considered as the addition of two volumes the dead volume corresponding to 

When considering GPC solute retention, only the total solvent volume V in the column must be taken into account if Kgp is the partition coefficient between the mobile phase and the stationary phase Vp, the macromolecule elution volume V. can be written  

Rq esentation of tlie GPC column V, is the dead vohun Vp is the porous volume and is the gel volume 

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The fundamental resolution equation incorporates the terms involving the thermodynamics and kinetics of the chromatographic system ... 

In the analytical chromatographic process, mixtures are separated either as individual components or as classes of similar materials. The mixture to be separated is first placed in solution, then transferred to the mobile phase to move through the chromatographic system. In some cases, irreversible interaction with the column leaves material permanently attached to the stationary phase. This process has two effects because the material is permanently attached to the stationary phase, it is never detected as leaving the column and the analysis of the mixture is incomplete additionally, the adsorption of material on the stationary phase alters the abiHty of that phase to be used in future experiments. Thus it is extremely important to determine the ultimate fate of known materials when used in a chromatographic system and to develop a feeling for the kinds of materials in an unknown mixture before use of a chromatograph. 

EXPERIMENTAL UNITS FOR PLANAR CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH EXTERNAL CONTROL PROPARTIES OF THE CHROMATOGRAPHIC SYSTEM... 

A modification of the thin-layer chromatography (TLC) technique with external control over the chromatographic system is proposed. 

In the course of mixture separation, the composition and properties of both mobile phase (MP) and stationary phase (SP) are purposefully altered by means of introduction of some active components into the MP, which are absorbed by it and then sorbed by the SP (e.g. on a silica gel layer). This procedure enables a new principle of control over chromatographic process to be implemented, which enhances the selectivity of separation. As a possible way of controlling the chromatographic system s properties in TLC, the pH of the mobile phase and sorbent surface may be changed by means of partial air replacement by ammonia (a basic gaseous component) or carbon dioxide (an acidic one). 

In general, (Q) and ( ) will be equal, but the general case is assumed, where they are not. Equation (37) gives an explicit and accurate expression for the retention volume of a solute. The importance of each function in the expression will depend on the physical properties of the chromatographic system. At one extreme, using an open tubular column in GC, then... 

Recalling that a separation is achieved by moving the solute bands apart in the column and, at the same time, constraining their dispersion so that they are eluted discretely, it follows that the resolution of a pair of solutes is not successfully accomplished by merely selective retention. In addition, the column must be carefully designed to minimize solute band dispersion. Selective retention will be determined by the interactive nature of the two phases, but band dispersion is determined by the physical properties of the column and the manner in which it is constructed. It is, therefore, necessary to identify those properties that influence peak width and how they are related to other properties of the chromatographic system. This aspect of chromatography theory will be discussed in detail in Part 2 of this book. At this time, the theoretical development will be limited to obtaining a measure of the peak width, so that eventually the width can then be related both theoretically and experimentally to the pertinent column parameters. 

Peak dispersion can happen in any part of the chromatographic system, from the... 

The curves show that the peak capacity increases with the column efficiency, which is much as one would expect, however the major factor that influences peak capacity is clearly the capacity ratio of the last eluted peak. It follows that any aspect of the chromatographic system that might limit the value of (k ) for the last peak will also limit the peak capacity. Davis and Giddings [15] have pointed out that the theoretical peak capacity is an exaggerated value of the true peak capacity. They claim that the individual (k ) values for each solute in a realistic multi-component mixture will have a statistically irregular distribution. As they very adroitly point out, the solutes in a real sample do not array themselves conveniently along the chromatogram four standard deviations apart to provide the maximum peak capacity. 

It is also apparent from Figure 20 that any property of the chromatographic system that places a limit on the maximum value of (k ) must also limit the maximum peak capacity that is attainable. One property of the system that limits the maximum value... 

So far the plate theory has been used to examine first-order effects in chromatography. However, it can also be used in a number of other interesting ways to investigate second-order effects in both the chromatographic system itself and in ancillary apparatus such as the detector. The plate theory will now be used to examine the temperature effects that result from solute distribution between two phases. This theoretical treatment not only provides information on the thermal effects that occur in a column per se, but also gives further examples of the use of the plate theory to examine dynamic distribution systems and the different ways that it can be employed. 

It is a common procedure to assume certain conditions for the chromatographic system and operating conditions and, as a result, simplify equations (20) and (21). However, in many cases the assumptions can easily be over-optimistic, to say the least. It is necessary, therefore, to carefully consider the conditions that may allow such simplifying procedures and take steps to ensure that such conditions are carefully met when such expressions are used in practice. Now, the relative magnitudes of the resistance to mass transfer terms will vary with the type of columns (packed or capillary), the type of chromatography (GC or LC) and the type of particle, i.e., porous or microporous (diatomaceous support or silica gel). 

Dispersion Generated by Different Parts of the Chromatographic System... 

The second and third peaks will be the pair of peaks in the mixture that are eluted closest together and, thus, the most difficult to separate (usually given the term the critical pair as they define the severity of the separation). Finally, the fourth peak will be that which is eluted last from the mixture and will determine when the analysis is complete and establishes the total analysis time. The chromatographic system must be designed to separate the critical pair and, as this is the pair that is eluted closest together, all other peaks should also be resolved... 

The maximum and minimum flow rate available from the solvent pump may also, under certain circumstances, determine the minimum or maximum column diameter that can be employed. As a consequence, limits will be placed on the mass sensitivity of the chromatographic system as well as the solvent consumption. Almost all commercially available LC solvent pumps, however, have a flow rate range that will include all optimum flow rates that are likely to be required in analytical chromatography... 

Unfortunately, some of the data that are required to calculate the specifications and operating conditions of the optimum column involve instrument specifications which are often not available from the instrument manufacturer. In particular, the total dispersion of the detector and its internal connecting tubes is rarely given. In a similar manner, a value for the dispersion that takes place in a sample valve is rarely provided by the manufactures. The valve, as discussed in a previous chapter, can make a significant contribution to the extra-column dispersion of the chromatographic system, which, as has also been shown, will determine the magnitude of the column radius. Sadly, it is often left to the analyst to experimentally determine these data. 

P). Note the expression for (C) is also a function of the particle diameter (dp) and includes known thermodynamic and physical properties of the chromatographic system. Consequently, with the aid of a computer, the optimum particle diameter (dp(opt)) can be calculated as that value that will meet the equality defined in... 

In a packed column the HETP depends on the particle diameter and is not related to the column radius. As a result, an expression for the optimum particle diameter is independently derived, and then the column radius determined from the extracolumn dispersion. This is not true for the open tubular column, as the HETP is determined by the column radius. It follows that a converse procedure must be employed. Firstly the optimum column radius is determined and then the maximum extra-column dispersion that the column can tolerate calculated. Thus, with open tubular columns, the chromatographic system, in particular the detector dispersion and the maximum sample volume, is dictated by the column design which, in turn, is governed by the nature of the separation. 

Every chromatographic investigation begins with the preparation of the sample and the chromatographic system. This is followed by the crux of the separation process (development of the chromatogram) which is in turn followed by the visualization of the separated substances and the preservation of the chromatogram and finally by the analysis of the results. 

If the cleaning solution has a high or low pH, ensure that the rest of the chromatographic system is compatible. 

As known, SEC separates molecules and particles according to their hydro-dynamic volume in solution. In an ideal case, the SEC separation is based solely on entropy changes and is not accompanied with any enthalpic processes. In real systems, however, enthalpic interactions among components of the chromatographic system often play a nonnegligible role and affect the corresponding retention volumes (Vr) of samples. This is clearly evident from the elution behavior of small molecules, which depends rather strongly on their chemical nature and on the properties of eluent used. This is the case even for... 

Overall, the technical complexity of the Deans switch system is considerably greater than that of a mechanical switching valve and it is accepted that reliability and ease of use is reduced as the system complexity increases. For many compound types, however, the completely non-intrusive nature of the Deans method offers sufficient advantages to justify its application. However, the use of modern electronic pressure and flow controls integrated into the overall computer control of the chromatographic system does now make the operation of Deans switches significantly easier or more reliable than has been reported in its earlier applications. 

By assuming that a (selectivity of the chromatographic system) can be rewritten as follows ... 

Fractionation of components into polarity groups, and their optimized separation (followed by detection) by subsequent development steps increases the separating capacity of the chromatographic system. 

Consequently, the solutes will pass through the chromatographic system at speeds that are inversely proportional to their distribution coefficients with respect to the stationary phase. The control of solute retention by the magnitude of the solute distribution coefficient will be discussed in the next chapter. 

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