High performance liquid chromatography method and apparatus

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for liquid chromatography at improved analytical and preparative speeds and quantities involves flow of fluids through the column at flow rates sufficient to induce turbulent flow in those fluids. In one embodiment, the apparatus and method includes a substantially uniform chromatography column created by packing together a multiplicity of rigid, solid, porous particles having diameters of not less than about 30 .mu.m, surfaces of the particles being chromatographically active. A fluid mixture containing at least one solute that is reactive with the particle surfaces is injected into the column and subsequently eluted therefrom by a eluant fluid flow, both the injection and elution being effected at a velocity sufficient to induce flow within at least a substantial portion of the interstitial volume between the particles at a reduced velocity greater than about 5,000.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.