Abstract: An apparatus for countercurrent chromatography consisting of a coiled separation column which is rotated about the axis about which is it wound and the axis is also rotated about a main axis. The embodiments of the invention are based on the fact that the pattern of the centrifugal force field greatly changes with the ratio of the two radii of rotation and depending on the particular effect desired, the apparatus is configured to achieve the most effective force field to gain the effect. The separation column is a tube helix wound around a flexible core member which can be wound onto the coil holder in various orientations to further effect the desired results.

Abstract: A flow-through coil planet centrifuge having a hollow-walled, vertical-axis rotating bowl with a helically-coiled long separation column spirally contained in the hollow wall of the bowl. A stationary, vertical-axis drive motor is located in axial alignment with the bowl. The bowl is rotatably coaxially supported in a cage-like frame. The bowl is rotated by the motor via the frame by a system of belts and gearing which compensates for the rotation of the bowl and column relative to the motor and frame to avoid the twisting of the flow tubes of the column. The outer portion of the frame is provided with a vertical support tube for the flow tubes to prevent excessive strain on the tubes during high speed revolution of the frame.

Abstract: A flow-through coil planet centrifuge has variable rotation-revolution (r/R) speed ratios. The rotation and revolution are continuously adjustable by using separate variable-speed drive motors. A first embodiment employs rotating seals, whereas a second embodiment is without rotating seals. In the rotating seal embodiment the flow tubes are rotated synchronously with the column to avoid twisting; in the non-rotating seal embodiment a system of gearing and belts compensates for the rotation and revolution of the column relative to a stationary tube support to avoid twisting of the flow tubes.

Abstract: A continuous extraction system wherein two immiscible solvents move in opposite directions through a rotating helical column. Elution of a desired phase takes place by use of a separation device at the head end which selects either the heavier or the lighter phase. This may consist of a suitably weighted suspended outlet tube in a rotating cylindrical outlet chamber or may consist of a shunt and settling chamber located outside the rotating part; the heavier phase may be removed from the bottom and the lighter phase may be removed from the top.

Abstract: An apparatus for countercurrent chromatography consisting of a horizontal helical column array which is rotated about its own axis and simultaneously is rotated around a stationary central horizontal pipe at the same angular velocity to prevent twisting of its inlet and outlet flow tubes, which extend through the stationary central horizontal pipe. The column array is parallel to the stationary central pipe. The planetary motion allows both gravity and centrifugal force acting at respective times to provide high efficiency analytical and preparative scale separations on a broad spectrum of two-phase systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous countercurrent chromatography employing a coiled column array slowly rotating about its axis, mounted on a frame which can be angularly adjusted to a desirable angle. The column can be filled with a stationary phase liquid and eluted with a mobile phase liquid by means of a pump; solute can be introduced through a sample port. The mobile phase liquid and sample are introduced through a first rotating seal. An outlet line leading to a monitor and fraction collector is connected to the column array through a second rotating seal. When the column array is filled with the stationary phase and is eluted with the mobile phase in the proper direction, nearly half of the stationary phase may be retained while constantly mixed with the mobile phase; consequently, solutes introduced through the sample port are subjected to an efficient partition process and are separated according to their relative partition coefficients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the determination of blood cell osmotic fragility, wherein a solution of salt, such as sodium chloride, with an osmotic gradient decreasing with time is passed through a coiled capillary tube, positioned with its axis vertical so that the flow through the turns of the tube is substantially horizontal, and the flow follows Poiseuille's parabolic flow pattern. The blood sample is inserted in the coiled tube and, because of the flow pattern, the salt solution travels through the capillary tube much faster than the erythrocytes, so that the erythrocytes are exposed to gradually decreasing osmolarity for hemolysis. Optical monitoring is carried out as the hemoglobin is rapidly removed from the flowing stream. Optical density is recorded against time, employing a 547 nm monitoring beam, thus providing a hemolysis curve.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing countercurrent chromatography comprises a rotor which holds a coiled helix column at 30.degree. from the vertical. Versatility of the angle rotor is demonstrated on high efficiency separations of biological compounds using a variety of two-phase solvent systems.