Chromatographic separation of wood model constituents-Mathematical modeling and parameter estimation

A mathematical model of the hydrophobic adsorption chromatographic separation of wood model constituents has been developed. Veratryl alcohol was selected to illustrate a lignin molecule and salicin was selected to illustrate a lignin-carbohydrate complex. A variety of available experimental methods in combination with parameter fitting was used to estimate the parameters of packed bed porosity, axial dispersion, film mass transfer, diffusivities and adsorption equilibria with a phenylic silica stationary phase. The model was verified to simulate the separation to within an accuracy of 95%. The model was, however, unable to predict the phenomenon of elution curve fronting, caused by the channeling of the packed bed.