Interpretation of chromatographic peaks by fourier analysis

Abstract

Extraction of model parameters, such as kinetic rate coefficients, equilibrium constants and transport rate coefficients, may be obtained by determining the coefficients of the Fourier series which describe chromatographic peaks. Error buildup due to noise occurs slowly with successive harmonics in contrast to the rapid buildup in successive moments which make higher moments unreliable for extracting model parameters. Fourier analysis is applied to the simplest case of axial dispersion in a non‐porous, non‐adsorbing packing and to the important case of adsorption on a porous packing. Expressions for the Fourier coefficients, amplitude ratios and phase lags are derived for the axial dispersion case, the Kubin‐Kucera model for adsorption on a porous packing and, as well, for the case of axial dispersion and inter‐particle diffusion without adsorption.