Separation, Hydrodynamics, and Joule Heating Effects in Continuous Annular Electrochromatography.

First experimental results of the transfer from an analytical batch electrochromatography to a continuous annular electrochromatographic process are presented. In order to study the electrochromatographic effects, hydrodynamics and functionality tests were investigated in a planar reference system. As stationary phase inside the annular gap, an inorganic C8 reverse-phase monolith prepared by an in situ sol-gel process was implemented. The generation of Joule heating during the process was determined by a contact-free thermal camera system. The volumetric flow rates of the electrolyte were detected by a gravimetric contact-free measurement method. Finally, a mixture of neutral test substances was used to evaluate the continuous separation efficiency and to fractionate the single substances under process-like conditions. The separation results were detected by an inline UV-Vis detection cell and the analysis of the single fractions was performed by an analytical electrochromatograph. The results indicate uniform electroosmotic flow as well as successful separation and fractioning of a neutral test mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]