If you've never heard of chromatography, that process is often used to identify accelerants used in a fire (arson). It is a separation process.
I'm most familiar with size exlcusion. 12 years on the job.
Never heard of it, but I'd expect that it's a pretty narrow field of expertise.
Different types of chromotography are also used in different refining processes.
When I was first training in it, we did a cool experiment.
Separated Kool-Aid into different parts.
Liquid with color separted from liquid with the flavoring.