Principal scientists: Prof. Gert Desmet and Prof. Sebastiaan Eeltink
In the realm of analytical separation techniques, liquid chromatography stands out as the workhorse for separation before quantification or qualification of many different types of liquid samples. The application for this technology ranges from food and environmental monitoring, to quality control in many industrial processes, and bio-chemical analyses. The users of this technology are demanding more and more performance, and are straining at the bit to perform more challenging separations.
The department of Chemical Engineering approaches this technology from the engineering point-of-view by improving flow in systems, columns, stationary phases. The improvements are made based on the department’s simulation and characterization expertise regarding (flow through) columns, and the application of alternative system configurations and novel column types, stationary phases and supports.
Several HPLC systems are used for this research and column testing: mainly models provided by Agilent and Dionex (ultra high pressure, constant pressure, nano and capillary flow).
Several systems have been modified to enable i.e. extreme pressures, alternative valve configurations, novel automated method development (hardware and software), temperature controlling,…