Peak broadening in paper chromatography and related techniques : V. Conditions for minimum separation time

Abstract

In paper and thin-layer chromatography peak broadening is a function of the mean flow rate of the eluent, which in turn is a function of the distances of the starting point and solvent front from the eluent in the tank.

Starting from the relationship between peak broadening and the positions of starting point and solvent front, formulae are derived for the elution time for a given separation problem as a function of both these distances. It appears that the elution time is at a minimum for certian positions of starting point and solven front

A method is outlined for calculating this minimum value for the elution time and the coresponding positions of starting point and solvent front.