Influence of different carrier gases and temperatures on the overall performance of a packed column

Abstract

using the carrier gases hydrogen, helium and nitrogen, the minimal plate height, the optimal flow-rate for this height and the corresponding pressure drop required for 1 2-m column containing 10% of silicone oil on an 80–100-mesh support were determined at 50°, 100° and 150°. in order to evaluate the overall performance under the particular conditions, the column quality, Q, was calculated from the number of plates, the retention time and the pressure drop. It is found from these Q values that, for the column used, at temperatures above 70° hydrogen gives the largest number of plates in a fixed time under a restricted column input pressure, whereas at temperatures below 70° nitrogen is the most suitable carrier gas. With helim, the performances obtained under all conditions were poorer than those with hydrogen or nitrogen. The minimal plate height and flow-rate depend exponentially on the diffusion coefficient in the carrier gas.