A calculation method for the prediction of effective plate height in capillary gas chromatography.

The effective plate height, h(eff), is considered to be a better measure of the efficiency of capillary column than the conventional plate height, h, in isothermal conditions. By using experimental data of 1-alcohols and n-alkanes, 2-ketones and 1-alkenes measured on capillary columns coated with non-polar stationary phases in isothermal and isobaric conditions, the peak width at half height is predicted with a function similar at that of adjusted retention time. The results obtained under different analytical conditions as the head pressure and the temperature of the column confirm the validity of the model, whose parameters are linear, and as a consequence a unique solution is obtained.