The theoretical study of the effect of packing heterogeneity on HPLC by computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

Based on the assumption of a radial parabolic porosity distribution across a chromatographic column and an ideal distribution and collection system for the column, a theoretical study of the effect of heterogeneous packing on the behavior of chromatography was conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. This study examined the development of the velocity distribution in columns with different porosity variations and different diameters, visualized the effect of velocity distribution on concentration profiles inside the column and the eluted pulses at the exit and finally the column efficiency. Therefore, this study is helpful to enhance the understanding to the effect of packing quality on chromatography. The final result suggests that packing heterogeneity in current widely used chromatographic columns might seriously impair the separation efficiency of the columns.