Absolute gas chromatography

Abstract

A gas chromatographic technique is reported that is absolute in the sense that the molar composition of a sample can be determined without the need for calibration. It functions by measuring the volumetric flow rate of the stream leaving a chromatographic column: the flow rate changes temporarily when a peak emerges. Because volumetric flow rate is measured, the resulting chromatogram is much more closely related to quantities of material than is a conventional chromatogram. The simple theoretical development and equally simple design refinement that make the method absolute are described here together with a severe experimental test of the method.