A simple method for calculating the productivity of polyphenol separations by polymer-based chromatography.

A simple method for calculating the productivity of chromatography processes was proposed based on the iso-resolution curve concept. The model separation system was polyphenol separations by polystyrene divinylbenzene resins with the ethanol-water mixture mobile phase. The distribution coefficient K was determined as a function of ethanol concentration I by linear gradient elution experiments. The HETP-mobile phase velocity u curves were determined as a function of I. Using K and HETP, the iso-resolution curve was calculated, from which the productivity was determined as a function of I. It was found that there is an optimum I, where the highest productivity with the minimum amount of mobile phase consumption is obtained.