Short fat packed columns

[shadylane]

Here's a quote from a post by mash rookie that got me to thinking. Can a short, fat packed CM column do the same job of the 3 or 4 plate column ?

[quote="mash rookie"]. Although certainly not as efficient as a very tall column. I think we have long established that there is fractioning happening in shorter columns as shown by our ability to not just remove them in order, but by imperial evidence of the superiority of packing over the same size plated column when it come to flavor separation. While I agree with your escalator analogy, and agree they are coming off in order but argue that the fractions are too mixed and close to only have one in a column at a time. In fact it is more difficult to stabilize a shorter column and keep it stabilized as fractions are removed.
I argue, (and think you agree) that the difficulty is caused by excessive vapor speed. The vapor is not allowed to linger and enjoy multiple evaporation cycles. (partial pressure orgasms)
Keeping a column equilibrium stabile is key for steady consistent removal of fractions as they occur.
I personally believe that a shorter, larger diameter packed column will be as or more affective at fraction separation because of the ability to slow vapor speed.[quote]

Edited: well that quoted didn't work as planned, but you get the idea.