Effluent Concentration Profiles in Centrifugal Partition Chromatography

Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) is a relatively new preparative chromatographic technique. To understand, predict, and optimize CPC separations a model is needed, describing the effluent concentration profile as a function of the phenomena that determine the separation efficiency (mass transfer, mixing, and partitioning). The model presented in this article describes experimental effluent concentration profiles accurately. Partition coefficients, Stanton numbers, and Péclet numbers were obtained by comparing model simulations to experimental pulse-response data. The fitted partition coefficients agree well with those obtained from shake-flask experiments. Mass-transfer limitation is the major reason for peak broadening. The inverse mass-transfer coefficient is a linear function of the partition coefficient. The model will be a valuable tool in determining the influence of mass transfer as a function of various experimental conditions.