# US 4,392,873 A · Continuous vapor phase chromatography

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- Number: US 4,392,873 A
- Document ID: US4392873A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/272,964
- Filed: 1981-06-12
- Granted: 1983-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1981-06-12
- Inventors: Francis R. Brockington
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392873A

## CPC

- B01D 53/025: {with wetted adsorbents; Chromatography (analytical chromatography G01N30/00 - G01N30/96; for liquids B01D15/08)}
- G01N 30/30: of temperature
- G01N 30/42: using counter-current
- G01N 30/58: the sorbent moving as a whole
- G01N 2030/3015: {temperature gradients along column}
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A method of continuously separating a mixture into its various components using vapor phase chromatography in which both the liquid/solid phase and the fluid (gas) phase are mobile.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A chromatographic process in which both the gas phase and the liquid/solid phase are mobile and traversing in opposing directions through a common column which has one or more thermal gradients impressed lengthwise across it, and in which a mixture to be chromotograph is continuously introduced, partitioned and collected as fractions from the gas phase where:
A. The said thermal gradients are formed by simultaneously heating a section of the column and cooling another section through the use of heat exchangers;
B. The said liquid/solid phase moves in direction in the column toward increasing column temperatures;
C. The said gas phase moves in a direction opposite the liquid/solid phase and toward increasing column temperatures;
D. The said mixture to be chromatographed is introduced to the column at the lower temperature end of the column and at a metered rate;
The said fractions of the mixture are collected through the use of ducts which are dispersed along and intersect with the column, and said ducts are fitted with condensers and gas flow control devices.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The chromatographic process in claim 1 in which the number, range and slope of the thermal gradients is controlled.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the liquid/solid phase is conveyed through the column as a substrate on a web or as a web.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the liquid/solid phase is conveyed through the column as a substrate by an auger type screw conveyor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the liquid/solid phase is conveyed through the column as a substrate in a porous, inner tube moving within the column.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 in which the liquid/solid phase is conveyed through the column as a substrate, said substrate itself being formed into a porous, flexible rod.