Module: Separation Techniques

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Separation Techniques
Module Code	CS302 (ITS) / CHM1024 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Chemical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator	Fiona Regan
Module Teachers	Aoife Morrin, Brian Kelleher, Ruairí Brannigan
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination

Description

To introduce the student to the fundamental theory and practices of modern separation techniques. To provide the necessary technical background on analytical instrumentation to allow the student to understand the bases of different techniques and be able select an appropriate separation technique for a given analysis. To introduce the student to the application of chromatography in a wide range of environments e.g. industrial, pharmaceutical, environmental.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the thermodynamic and molecular basis for equilibrium separation.
2. To introduce and explain the concept of Chromatographic Resolution (RS), define the Resolution Equation and chromatographic parameters and to show how these parameters can be determined and optimized.
3. To illustrate and explain the principle of Band Broadening in HPLC, to define the Van Deemter equation and explain the terms of the equation and demonstrate the effects of these parameters on the efficiency of chromatographic peaks.
4. Understand chromatographic principles, method development approaches, technical instrumentation requirements and sample preparation as it relates to analytical techniques including (i) gas chromatography, (ii) high performance liquid chromatography including ion chromatography, (iii) capillary electrophoresis and (iv) mass spectrometry.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	26	Lectures
Tutorial	10	Tutorial sessions
Independent Study	89	Review of content, complete tutorial sheets, preparation for continuous assessments and final exam
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Chemical Equilibria
chemical equilibria; activity, acid-base chemistry, formation constants, solubility products

Thermodynamics of separation
distribution coefficients, chemical potential and conditions for equilibrium, solvent extractions

Molecular basis for equilibrium separation
the effect of molecular structure on the distribution of a compound between two phases

Chromatography separation
definition and classification of chromatographic mechanisms, sorption isotherms, retention behaviour, distribution co-efficients, capacity factor, column selectivity, column efficiency, band broadening theory, diffusion, mass transfer, resolution, quantitative methods

Sample preparation
solid phase extraction and derivatisation

Gas chromatography
principles, stationary phases and instrumentation

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
classification, LC instrumentation (pumps, injectors, columns, detectors), stationary phases and chromatographic modes (reversed-phase, normal-phase, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, affinity) and applications

Capillary electrophoresis (CE)
classification, basic CE concepts (m, v, EOF, N and R), instrumentation used (power supply, injectors, capillaries, detectors), CE modes (CZE, CGE, MECC, CEC, chiral CE)

Ion chromatography
ion suppression, ion interaction/ion-pair, ion exchange

Mass Spectrometry
GC and LC-MS instrumentation and basic interpretation of spectra

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
In Class Test	n/a	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Agilient: 0, https://www.chromacademy.com,
Daniel C. Harris: 2007, Quantitative chemical analysis, 7th, W. H. Freeman, New York, 0716776944
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch.: 2007, Principles of instrumental analysis, Thomson Brooks/Cole, Belmont, CA, 9780495012016

Other Resources

35452, Website, 0, Chromacademy, https://www.chromacademy.com,