Band-broadening in packed chromatographic columns

In the past few years some problems have arisen as to the interpretation of experimental plate height data of packed chromatographic columns by means of the theory of VAN DEEMTER et al. These difficulties concern the “eddy diffusion” and “mass transfer” terms in particular. Light may be thrown on this matter by the recognition of unevenness of flow throughout the column cross-section as a major source of band-broadening. By considering the contribution to plate height resulting from the interaction between such flow profiles and various mechanisms of lateral transport of material it proved possible to solve the above-mentioned difficulties.