Computational study of the relationship between the flow resistance and the microscopic structure of polymer monoliths

A logarithmic law for the velocity- and retention-dependency of the eddy dispersion in chromatographic columns

Applying the recently introduced patchwork model for porous media, we present a new step forward in the modelling of eddy dispersion in chromatographic columns. The logarithmic law describing the velocity dependency emerging from this patchwork model is supplemented with a retention factor dependency via first principles modelling of the variations in flow resistance and retention capacity caused by the packing disorder. Furthermore, it is shown the derived expression is also able to fit the eddy dispersion originating from the wall effect on the packing. When applied to literature data of eddy dispersion, the newly introduced logarithmic law has a goodness of fit that is at least equal to that of Knox' empirical power law (R2>0.98). The main difference is that, whereas Knox' power law requires a separate fit for each component due to the retention factor dependency, the present model simultaneously fits all plate height curves measured on one chromatographic column, using only two parameters with a clear physical meaning.

Characterization of a convection-based support microstructure through a flow resistance parameter

Modern convection-based supports differ substantially in pore size, porosity, and microstructure topology. Due to such variability, it is challenging to evaluate the contribution of a particular microstructure topology on flow resistance. We demonstrated that the flow resistance parameter (ϕ) introduced decades ago can be used as a criterion to evaluate the effect of microstructure topology on a pressure drop when the pore size is used as a characteristic support dimension. Furthermore, the ϕ value of simple cubic packing was calculated over the entire range of open porosity and compared to the ϕ values determined for pressure drop models derived for particular convection-based supports and experimental values of various convection-based supports from the literature. It was shown that different convection-based supports become clustered into distinct groups when plotted according to their ϕ and open porosity values, allowing their discrimination. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.