EXAMINATION OF A NEW CHROMATOGRAPHIC FUNCTION, BASED ON AN EXPONENTIAL RESOLUTION TERM, FOR USE IN OPTIMIZATION STRATEGIES - APPLICATION TOCAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY SEPARATION OF PHENOLS

An objective function has been developed to express the quality of a c hromatogram with regard to resolution and time. The function is used a s the response variable in an optimization strategy involving a centra l composite experimental design, multi-linear regression and response surface modelling. This function is compared with an existing objectiv e function in an optimization strategy for the separation of phenols. The capillary gas chromatography settings for column head pressure, in itial oven temperature and temperature program rate for the optimum se paration are found using the strategy. A surprisingly high temperature rate (22 degrees C/min) was predicted for the optimum separation cond itions.