Simple Considerations on Column Design in Preparative-Scale Liquid Chromatography

Abstract This paper discusses some simple considerations on the design of preparative columns (particle size and column length and diameter). It is shown that the loadability of a column does not depend on the size of the particles for a given efficiency. In order to obtain the maximum efficacity from the pumping system, the design of the column must take into account the characteristics of the pumping system, particularly the flow rate. It is shown that a convenient particle size is in the range 10 to 20 μm. Small particles are associated with shorter and bulkier columns than large particles, while at the same time giving less back pressure (in order to generate a given plate number at a given flow rate). The larger the flow rate generated by the pumping system, the smaller must be the particles.