Active flow management in chromatographic separations : a preliminary investigation into enhanced preparative scale separation using a parallel segmented outlet flow distributor

The detrimental effect of heterogeneity on the efficiency of particle packed columns has been a long standing issue in chromatographic separations. This heterogeneity arises from the difference in packing density between the wall and central regions of the chromatographic bed and imparts radial variance in mobile phase velocity through the column. In conjunction with the uneven distribution of the sample band through frits and distributors at the head of the column, the resultant effect is a decrease in efficiency due to the formation of a parabolic-"like" sample band. We introduce the concept of "Active Flow Management" to counteract the effects of column heterogeneity via the separation of the flow eluting from the center of the column from that of the flow eluting near the peripheral wall region. The flow streams from the two aforementioned regions are separated by the use of a specialized column outlet fitting. By varying the ratio of flow eluting from the center to the peripheral region it was possible to increase the efficiency of a 100 × 21 mm column by up to 57% compared to a column operated in the conventional manner.