Counter-current Chromatography for the Purification of High Value Natural Compounds: Performance Modelling and Solvent Selection
Author(s)
Guzlek, Hacer
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Counter-current chromatography (CCC) is a separation technique, which utilises two
immiscible liquid phases in equilibrium as stationary and mobile phases. It emerged in the
1970s and had been primarily used in academia. Over the past few years its application in
the pharmaceutical industry has increased as a high-throughput system. However, most
businesses are still reluctant to use this technique due to the lack of understanding in
solvent selection, which is essential for experimental design. Additionally, instrument
design was a mainly empirical methodology, because there were no reliable models
available that could predict the performance of a CCC column.
One aim of this research project was to improve solvent system selection for CCC
separations in order to facilitate the use of greener solvents. Therefore, a solubility driven
approach for solvent selection from a list of preferred solvents was developed. This
approach enables rapid solvent system selection, and potentially improves sample loading,
because solvent systems are chosen by taking the solubility of target materials into account.
Another aim of this PhD thesis was to develop a novel model that can predict the
performance of a CCC column from column dimensions. That enables the prediction of a
solute’s elution profile from a CCC column from scratch using instrument and operational
parameters only. Unlike previously developed CCC models, the novel model does not
resort to empirical calibration. This model was validated using a series of experimental
results from literature and successfully predicted retention times as well as peak
resolutions.
immiscible liquid phases in equilibrium as stationary and mobile phases. It emerged in the
1970s and had been primarily used in academia. Over the past few years its application in
the pharmaceutical industry has increased as a high-throughput system. However, most
businesses are still reluctant to use this technique due to the lack of understanding in
solvent selection, which is essential for experimental design. Additionally, instrument
design was a mainly empirical methodology, because there were no reliable models
available that could predict the performance of a CCC column.
One aim of this research project was to improve solvent system selection for CCC
separations in order to facilitate the use of greener solvents. Therefore, a solubility driven
approach for solvent selection from a list of preferred solvents was developed. This
approach enables rapid solvent system selection, and potentially improves sample loading,
because solvent systems are chosen by taking the solubility of target materials into account.
Another aim of this PhD thesis was to develop a novel model that can predict the
performance of a CCC column from column dimensions. That enables the prediction of a
solute’s elution profile from a CCC column from scratch using instrument and operational
parameters only. Unlike previously developed CCC models, the novel model does not
resort to empirical calibration. This model was validated using a series of experimental
results from literature and successfully predicted retention times as well as peak
resolutions.
Date Issued
2011
Date Awarded
2011-09
Copyright Statement
Attribution NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-ND)
License URL
Advisor
Livingston, Andrew G.
Sponsor
EC Marie Curie Actions
Creator
Guzlek, Hacer
Grant Number
MRTN-CT-2006-036053 – InSolEx
Publisher Department
Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)