Comparative analysis of chromatography dynamic models in predicting the plate height contributed by interphase mass transfer

The accuracy of the general rate model and the volume averaging model was checked by comparing their predicted plate height contribution from the external (film) mass transfer with that predicted by the direct numerical simulation. Plug flow through open column, pressure driven flow through columns packed with pillar array, ordered spherical particles were considered as special cases. Results show that the general rate model is accurate for plug flow through open columns but inaccurate for pressure driven flow cases. The volume averaging model is accurate for both the plug flow and pressure driven flow cases. A retention factor dependence of the plate height being different from that derived from the general rate model was proposed to accommodate general flow conditions.