A Simple Pressure Applicator Device for Column Chromatography Herein is described a pressure applicator for column chmmrttography that is simple in design and inexpensive. The figure shows the pressure applicator which consists of a T-shsped three-way stopcock, s. rubber bulb, a. 500-ml filtering flask, 8. piece of glass tubing (approximate inside diameter and length 0.5 X 42 cm) and 50 ml of mercurv. The fimrre is self-exnlanatorv for the construction of the anparatus. The glass tubing is immersed about 0.4 om into the melcury, sealing the system from the atmosphere. For applying pressure to the column, the system is disconnected from the atmosphere, and air is compressed into.the system using the rubber bulb. The positive pressure in the system is monitored by the mercury level in the g l m tubing. The mercury level visibly descends when elution proceeds. To prevent a fast drop of pressure, a second filtering flask may be installed, as a pressure reservoir, between the column and the first flask. The pressure in the system can be quickly released, if so desired, by a manipulation of the s t o p cock. Although, a slow rate of flow usually produces better separation than a rapid flow-rate, the tlc analytical profile of the effuent resulting from this process is satisfactory. In wet packing, the pressure applicator is especially effective for a, quick operation.
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S. C. CHEN
3 18
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Journal of Chemical Educafion
