Extensions of the Plate Theory

In this chapter, the elution curve equation and the plate theory will be used to explain some specific features of a chromatogram, certain chromatographic operating procedures, and some specific column properties. Some of the subjects treated will be second-order effects and, therefore, the mathematics will be more complex and some of the physical systems more involved. Firstly, it will be necessary to express certain mathematical concepts, such as the elution curve equation, in an alternative form. For example, the Poisson equation for the elution curve will be put into the simpler Gaussian or Error function form. 

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However, the T-distribution permits an extension of the plate theory, which is also usable in case of asymmetric peaks. The chromatogram (1 component) is considered to be the result of a pure time delay and a T-distribution response. The procedure implies the fitting of a function f(t) given in Eq. (15) to the chromatographic peak. The asymmetry of the peak determines the new plate number n, decreasing with increasing asymmetry. 

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