Investigação Mecanística e Otimização Estatística do Empacotamento de Colunas Capilares com 𝑪𝑶𝟐 Supercrítico em Reservatório Ciclone: Modelagem de Fluidização Acústica e Validação Experimental
Investigação Mecanística e Otimização Estatística do Empacotamento de Colunas Capilares com 𝑪𝑶𝟐 Supercrítico em Reservatório Ciclone: Modelagem de Fluidização Acústica e Validação Experimental
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.994112616043
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Palavras-chave: cromatografia capilar; dióxido de carbono supercrítico, reservatório ciclone, design fatorial; mecânica de partículas; fluidização acústica.
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Keywords: capillary chromatography; supercritical carbon dioxide; cyclone reservoir; factorial design; granular mechanics; acoustic fluidization.
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Abstract: The efficient packing of capillary columns remains a fundamental challenge for achieving ultra-high resolution chromatographic separations. This work describes a mechanistic investigation into the formation of capillary beds (~250μm i.d.) using supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO2) in a custom-built cyclone-type reservoir. Through a full factorial design (24), the impact of packing pressure, restrictor length, pressurization profile, and ultrasonic power on the final kinetic performance of the columns was evaluated. Theoretical modeling, based on continuum mechanics, alongside experimental data revealed the existence of a "Pressure Paradox": high pressurization regimes (40.5 MPa) yield heterogeneous and low-efficiency beds due to premature mechanical jamming induced by the radial dissipation of axial stresses, as described by the Janssen effect. The derived statistical model showed a robust coefficient of determination (R2=0.9867), validating the observed correlations. In contrast, the application of moderate pressures (25.3 MPa) coupled with maximum ultrasonic power enabled the acoustic fluidization of the granular medium, overcoming the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion and promoting the transverse rearrangement of particles prior to bed immobilization. Analytical validation employing ~3μm particles demonstrated efficiencies exceeding 116,000 plates/meter (h ≈2.8), confirming the integrity of the proposed differential transport model and establishing rigorous guidelines for the engineering of ultra-high performance chromatographic beds.
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