Theory of chromatography at finite concentration

The present paper reviews the theories published for finite concentration problems in the various fields of chromatography. The basis of them all is shown to be derived from the same fundamental type of equations, which a mathematical method not already used in chromatography can solve. It is the method of characteristics and a model derived from it is given for the problems of a single solute, two solutes and the general N solutes in gas chromatography. This model is shown to include all the features of the preceding ones published for the various types of chromatography, and it is demonstrated how the model extends the properties of the others because it contains the necessary features to allow the computation of the elution of peaks. An example of its implementation is finally given to show the capability of the theory.

The various sections have been made independent so that the experimental applications can be used without all the theory having to be studied.