Expanded bed adsorption: elution in expanded bed mode

Elution in expanded bed mode has been investigated in the expanded bed adsorption process. Elution was performed at different sample loads and at different liquid velocities using bovine serum albumin as a model. The effect on mixing in the liquid phase and on the volume of the eluted peak were determined. Mixing in the liquid phase was almost unaffected when elution was performed at 100 cm/h, regardless of sample load. However, mixing increased significantly when elution was carried out at high liquid velocities (300 cm/h) at high sample loads. The eluted peak volume increased with liquid velocity and increased sample load. It was approx. 80% higher in expanded bed mode than in packed bed from an adsorbent completely saturated with protein eluted at 300 cm/h.