Chromatography
apparatus is used to carry out chromatographic separations. It is an
analytical instrument, which separates mixtures of substances into
distinctive components by means of chromatography. A chromatography
apparatus is used for purification and separation of organic and inorganic
materials.
Applications of Chromatography Apparatus
Chromatography apparatus is used in many fields for a large number of
applications. The technique of chromatography is a very important process in
chemistry as well as in biology. Most commonly it is used in laboratories
for the following purposes:
- It is used to isolate new compounds.
- It is used to analyze subtle differences between various
environmental samples
- It is used in the sequencing of DNA.
- It is used by forensic scientists.
- It is used for separating mixtures of coloured chemicals.
Constituting Units of Chromatography Apparatus
A chromatography apparatus consists of the following units :
- Chromatography Reservoir
- Chromatography Column
- Chromatography Sprayer
Chromatography Reservoir
The
chromatography reservoir is used for the mobile phase, provided with a cap
that gives effective control of charging the reservoir with the mobile
phase, thus agitating the mobile phase while it is in the reservoir. They
are found in different sizes and shapes meeting various requirements.
Chromatography
Column
A liquid chromatography column is used for separating materials according
to the differences in the physical properties, such as solubility,
permeability, and adsorbability. A chromatography column is a glass tube
with a diameter ranging from 5 to 50 mm and a height of 50 cm to 1 m
provided with a tap at the bottom. It is used to contain the stationary
phase.
Features :
- The chromatography columns are found in a wide range of sizes and
models.
- They are provided with PTFE stopcocks. The PTFE stopcocks avoid
grease contamination that occurs in glass key stopcocks.
Chromatography
Sprayer
The chromatography sprayer is made of fine quality heat resistant glass. It
is ideal for spraying reagents on TLC and paper chromatograms.
Features :
- They are provided with a convenient finger vent for instant spray
control.
- They are provided with an adjustable spray pattern.
- They consist of atomizer tops attached with a screw top.
- The glass used has heat resistant properties.
