DEFORMATION OF A CHROMATOGRAPHIC BED DURING STEADY-STATE LIQUID FLOW

A two-dimensional model was developed that describes the deformation o f an open, mechanically stable chromatographic bed during steady-state flow. It is based on the assumption of pure elastic deformation and t he validity of Darcy's law. A control-volume method was used to solve the mathematical equations. The computed pressure profiles agree well with experimental data. Computer simulations indicate that radial void variations, which will cause significant flow variations, may occur u nder chromatographic flow conditions. A method of measuring Young's mo dulus and the Poisson ratio in a water-saturated sample at very low st ress levels ( < 15 kPa) using a cubic plane strain tester, is also pre sented.