Comparison of preparative characteristics of micro open parallel plate separators and microbore columns for concentration of trace species by displacement chromatography

The potential for preparative concentration of trace species by displacement chromatography in a micro open parallel plate separator (μOPPS) has been explored. A comparison of the performance of the μOPPS with micro open tubular columns (μOTC) has been presented. Using simulation models, the effects of operating and equilibrium parameters on throughput and yield have been determined. It is shown that the μOPPS can offer considerable advantages over the traditional μOTCs. Most significantly, throughputs can be enhanced by more than an order of magnitude in many cases. This is primarily due to the higher loading per cycle in the μOPPS, made possible by the ability to change the depth of the channel independent of the width. While yield is generally lower in the μOPPS, this effect can be overcome by the proper selection of operating conditions.