Radial chromatogaphy is a form of chromatography, a preparatory technique for separating chemical mixtures. It can also be referred to as Centrifugal Thin-Layer Chromatography. It is a common technique for isolating compounds and can be compared to column chromatography as a similar process. A common device used for this technique is a Chromatotron.
Here the solvent travels from the center of the circular chromatography silica layered on a plate towards the periphery. The entire system is kept covered in order to prevent evaporation of solvent while developing a chromatogram.
The wick at the center of system drips solvent into the system which the provides the mobile phase and moves the sample radially to form the sample spots of different compounds as concentric rings.