Measured Performance Errors and Loss of Resolution in Liquid Chromatography

The evidence for contribution æ to the value of the capacity ratio k′, due to support porosity and consequently the partition of sample between “streaming” and staying” mobile phase, was found in both gas and liquid chromatographic systems. Extra-column peak broadening of inert as well as retarded solutes was studied experimentally and the results theoretically explained. The performance h* recorded by a detector is measured rather than the true performance h of the column under conditions of liquid chromatography. The influence of the equipment cannot be neglected if the measured performance h* in two identical columns of different length is equal. Calculations and experiments show that resolution R* is independent of the dead volume of interconnecting lines and the detector. k′ values which are necessary to avoid a 10% loss of resolution are given for typical chromatographic equipment.