Influence of the column radial heterogeneity on the determination of single-component isotherms by the elution by characteristic point method

The influence of the column radial heterogeneity on the determination of equilibrium isotherm data by the elution by characteristic point (ECP) method is studied using nondimensional numerical calculations and taking into account typical radial distributions of the mobile phase flow velocity and the column efficiency across a column. Overloaded elution peaks were calculated with the equilibrium-dispersive model as a function of four dimensionless parameters, the number of theoretical plates at the center of the column, the Langmuir equilibrium constant, the retention and the loading factors. The influence of the mass transfer resistances and the radial heterogeneity of the column on the ECP data was analyzed by comparing the true isotherm and the one estimated from the diffuse profile of overloaded peaks. The results provide information on the accuracy of the ECP method. The error made increases with increasing degree of radial heterogeneity. This error can be corrected by using the results of the nondimensional numerical calculations, allowing a further extension of the applicability of the ECP method. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.