Examination of a new chromatographic function, based on an exponential resolution term, for use in optimization strategies: Application to capillary gas chromatography separation of phenols

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