Adjusting separation method using sensor data and numerical analysis

A process of determining a modified separation method 102 for a sample separation apparatus 10, comprises: carrying out the initial separation method 100 on a sample separation apparatus; detecting sensor data 104 at the sample separation apparatus during carrying out the initial separation method; and carrying out a numerical analysis for determining the modified separation method by modifying at least one operation parameter of the initial separation method and by using the detected sensor data. Preferably the process comprises detecting sensor data indicative of flow rate, composition, temperature or pressure of a mobile phase. The sensor may be located upstream of a sample separation unit, which may be a chromatography column. The process may comprise receiving a target specification 112 from a user, indicative of a target of a sample separation task; searching in a method database 114 for a plurality of candidate separation methods 118 for the initial separation method; and selecting one of the candidate methods as the initial separation method based on a match between a result 108 of carrying out the candidate methods on the sample apparatus and the target specification.