ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the theoretical and experimental studies as pertain to the role of buoyancy-induced thermal convection on continuous flow electrophoresis (CFE) performance. Saville extensively studied the role of buoyancy-induced thermal convection in the operation of both narrow- and wide-gap CFE flow chambers. Fully developed laminar flow must be maintained in the electrophoresis chamber if true separations based on electrophoretic mobility are to be realized. Rhodes et al. first demonstrated the importance of electrohydrodynamic flows in CFE. Fully developed laminar flow must be maintained in the electrophoresis chamber if true separations based on electrophoretic mobility are to be realized. The same result can be achieved using a two-component buffer, provided the two intrinsic mobilities are very different. Electrohydrodynamic distortion of the originally circular sample filament causes resolution degradation in CFE both directly and indirectly by working in combination with the accompanying pressure-driven and electroosmotic flows in the chamber.
