Martin A. Langhorst

Development and application of an integrated, high-speed, computerized hydrodynamic chromatograph

Abstract Hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) has been used to separate colloidal particles as a function of their size by passage through a column of nonporous packing material. An improved technique for the practice of HDC has been developed which utilizes columns of higher efficiency and resolving power, thereby reducing the analysis time from 1.5 hr to 6 min. The integrated, computerized HDC, described herein, then calculates the actual particle size distribution of the sample from molecular size to greater than 1 μm from the chromatogram in an additional 3–5 min. Details of the system, including column preparation, calibration, and algorithms of the calculation scheme, are presented. A technique for the extension of the HDC technique to molecular size is also described. Several examples and applications of the technique are discussed.