New dynamic axial compression columns with means for monitoring floating adapter position. Column design and utilisation in low pressure LC on soft packings

Summary The design of new dynamic, axial-compression columns with a system for continous packed bed adjustment and monitoring of the floating adapter position is described. The columns are meant for liquid chromatography at low pressures (up to 8 bar) in aqueous and organic media with stationary phases of all types. The columns have adapter position pickups for continuous automatic monitoring of the bed height (original “swellographic” monitoring). The column described with gas pressurisation was tested with soft Sephadex G-10 and G-25. In spite of the reduction in external porosity there was no dramatic increase in back-pressure. The column proved to provide long-term stability of the packed bed and improvement in resolution. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996