Abstract
A continuous flow electrophoretic process for the concentration of amino acid has been modeled on the basis of a transport equation including ionic migration and dissociation reaction between the ions. The model equations were solved as an initial value problem by using a finite-difference technique.
Experiments on concentration of amino acid were also performed to ascertain the validity of the mathematical model and the numerical method used to solve the model equations. Experimental results for the degree of concentration of amino acid and pH distribution were in fair agreement with theoretical results, indicating that the model and numerical method are valid.
Further, the effect of applied voltage and background electrolyte concentration on the process of concentrating amino acid was studied on the basis of numerical simulation under various conditions. The results obtained show that there exist a dynamic equilibrium and limit of concentration for amino acid.
