ABSTRACT
In chromatographic operations a narrow band of mixed solutes is deposited at the inlet of the column and subsequently desorbed ("eluted") by passing carrier fluid through the column. Fortunately, most practical chromatographic processes operate in a region of isotherm linearity for which certain simple statements can be made under equilibrium conditions. Complex behavior brings about certain simplifications in the treatment of linear systems. Fluctuating feed concentrations have a bearing on breakthrough time, but some sense of the effect can be obtained by "bracketing", i.e., by considering the extremes of the fluctuations under steady conditions. The regeneration step itself is usually carried out on beds which contain part of the previous mass transfer zone and are therefore nonuniform. When several solutes are involved, each one propagates according to its own Henry constant, ultimately leading to a separation into individual pulses or peaks.
