Specifications And Characteristics; Principles Of Column Function - GE AxiChrom 50 Operating Instructions Manual

3

Specifications and characteristics

3.1

Principles of column function

Axial compression
Packing of AxiChrom 50, 70 and 100 is achieved by internal hydraulic axial compression
(Figure 3.1).
Figure 3.1: Principle of internal hydraulic axial compression. (A) Hydraulic liquid pushes
the adapter down. Packing liquid is forced out of the slurry. (B) The slurry forms a consoli-
dated bed. (C) The adapter reaches the surface of the consolidated bed. (D) The bed is
compressed to a predetermined packing factor.
Axial compression is achieved by driving the adapter downwards in the column tube by
pumping hydraulic liquid, typically 20% v/v ethanol or 0.01 M NaOH, into the space be-
tween the top plate and the top of the adapter. This space is referred to as the hydraulic
chamber. The space between the bottom bed support and the top bed support is the
process chamber into which a slurry of medium has been poured. As the adapter moves
downwards in the column, packing liquid is forced from the slurry through an outlet in
AxiChrom 50, 70 and 100 columns Operating instructions 28-9331-08 AG
A
Packing liquid Packing liquid
forced out forced out
3 Specifications and characteristics
B C
Packing liquid
forced out
D
Check valve
prevents
backflow
17