(609a) Evaluation of Various Hybrid Extraction-Chromatography Separation Process Options Using Model-Based Approach

Centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), also known as counter-current chromatography (CCC), is a versatile and highly selective separation technology, which combines the principles of extraction and chromatography.

Like in extraction the separation is achieved as a result of the different partitioning of the solutes between the phases of a biphasic liquid system, and similar to chromatography one of the two liquid phases is kept stationary. However, there are some substantial differences, which make this technology unique. Namely, the preferred range of the partition coefficient of the solutes to be separated in CPC/CCC is between 0.5 and 2.5, considerably lower than in extraction. Unlike in liquid-solid chromatography a centrifugal force is used to keep one of two liquid phases stationary.

In CPC/CCC both liquid phases can be used as stationary phase and their role can be switched during the separation run. This opens up the possibility for several original batch and continuous operating modes, which are not possible or realizable in extraction and in liquid chromatography with solid stationary phases.

In this work an overview of the existing CPC/CCC processes is given, with a special focus on the continuous operating options. It is shown that the selection of the best operating mode for a given separation task is not always easy and straightforward. Hence, for making right selection the available process options should be systematically evaluated. This issue is addressed through a model-based approach, which combines experimentally derived thermodynamic, hydrodynamic and mass transfer data with a relatively simple mathematical model, i.e. the “cell model”. The proposed approach enables easy evaluation of the separation performances of different CPC/CCC operating modes.