On the use of sequential simplex procedure for optimization of basic parameters influencing temperature in LTPGC analysis of multicomponent samples

A procedure for the sequential simplex optimization of initial temperature (T0), hold time (t0) and rate of temperature change (r) is illustrated by applying it to the separation of a multicomponent sample by linear temperature programmed capillary gas chromatographic analysis (LTPCGC). A procedure is described which enables the correct retention times and peak areas of individual peaks in partially overlapping gaussian shaped peak pairs to be obtained. A new optimization criterion (Cp) is proposed: $$C_p = N_r + \frac{{(t_{R,n} - t_{max} )}}{{t_{max} }}$$ where the main part is represented by a number of peaks (Nr) detected by an integrator. The secondary part relates to the duration of the analysis (tR, n).