| Abstract: | The Golay-Giddings and Poiseuille equations are used to derive equations for the calculation of the maximum plate number and minimum time conditions for given columns at fixed, but selectable, outlet pressures. In addition, expressions are presented for the determination of minimum analysis times for separation problems requiring given plate numbers. In this instance, the optimum column length can be calculated as a function of outlet pressure. A Basic computer program, incorporating the equations for the various optima, together with the H-ū curves, is described. Input variables are either column length or desired plate number, column diameter, film thickness, capacity ratio of the solute, column outlet pressure, seperation temperature, and carrier gas. The carrier gas viscosity is automatically calculated in the case of hydrogen, helium, or nitrogen. For these gases, and if the solute is a n-alkane, the diffusivity of the solute in the mobile phase is calculated. In this case, the carbon number of the solute is needed in the computation. For high molecular weight polydimethylsilicone phases (e.g. SE-30), the program can approximate the diffusivity of n-alkanes in the stationary phase at the given temperature as a function of the carbon number. Of course, manually entered values of viscosity and diffusion coefficients can be included in the calculations. |
