High-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract

Gas chromatography has developed over the past 25 years or so into one of the most extensively used on-line analytical techniques in industrial process control and optimization. Liquid chromatography, and its several individual techniques, is firmly established in the laboratory, but its on-line process use has not developed as rapidly as GC. At the present time, only three companies (Applied Automation Inc., Dionex Corp., and Millipore Corp.) are active in this area. Nevertheless, substantial growth in on-line process LC is predicted for the next few years. The techniques of HPLC (normal-phase and reversed-phase), IEC, and SEC have great potential in industry as on-line analytical techniques, including the new field of biotechnology. Computer-based, multistream, multicomponent systems should find extensive use in pilot-plant investigations, where their ability to gather large amounts of data (on-line rather than by laboratory testing) could have important implications. In bioprocess control, undoubtedly the greatest challenge will come in the area of sample-handling technique. On-line chromatography has traditionally involved the sampling and conditioning of fairly conventional process gases and liquids. One exception is in the plastics and elastomers areas, where on-line SEC has been used for polymer MWD measurement. Here the sample is more difficult to handle, and some specialized techniques have been used. In biotechnology, we are treading new ground; nevertheless, it is hoped that some of the experience in sample handling gained in industry over the past 25 years will be of use in this new field.