Off-line optimisation in HPLC separations

After discussing the main advantages and disadvantages of experimental and off-line simulated optimisation in chromatography, some implementations of a simulation method, which now uses real coded hybrid genetic algorithms as the searching for the optimum strategy, will be presented. The clear advan tages of this type of algorithm as compared to the more conventional sequen tial simplex should be pointed out. Several genetic operators not used befo re in this context have been adapted to run inside the chromatographic opti misation engine and the first preliminary conclusions presented. Also, a ne w optimisation criterion based on customisation of chromatographer's needs that can be used as the fitness function, together with others more convent ional objective functions should be presented hero.