Formula for Calculating the Number of Theoretical Plates

Introduction N, the number of theoretical plates, is one index used to determine the performance and effectiveness of columns, and is calculated using equation (1).

1) where tr: retention time, and W: pea width !his pea width, W, is based on the baseline intercepts of tangent lines to a "aussian pea , which is equivalent to the pea width at 1#.$ % of the pea height. &owever, to simplif' the calculation and accommodate non("aussian pea s, the following calculation methods are used in actual practice.

Fig. 1 Peak Width

1. Tangent Line Method )ea width is the distance between points where lines tangent to the pea *s left and right inflection points intersect the baseline, and is calculated using equation (1). !he +,) (+nited ,tates )harmacopeia) uses this method. !his results in small N values when pea overlap is large. !his also presents a problem if the pea is distorted, so that it has multiple inflection points.

1)

2. Half Peak Height Method Width is calculated from the width at half the pea height (W -..). ,ince width can be calculated easil' b' hand, it is the most widel' used method. !his is the method used

b' the /01 ("erman )harmacopeia), 1) (1ritish )harmacopeia), and 2) (2uropean )harmacopeia).

3) !he 4apanese )harmacopoeia 1.th revision issued in 0pril 3--5 changed the coefficient from .... to ...$. (LCsolution allows selecting the coefficient via the [Colu setting" where the calculation calculation methods. n Perfor ance! ethod for #.#$ is %&P% and for #.## is %&P2.%

6or broader pea s, the half pea height method results in larger N values than other

3) !he value of ...$. stands for . !hese expressions assume a "aussian

(s'mmetrical) pea . 7n these expressions the units for the quantities inside the brac ets must be consistent so that their ratio is dimensionless: i.e. if the numerator is a volume, then pea width must also be expressed in terms of volume. 7n former nomenclature the expressions *number of theoretical plates* or *theoretical plate number* were used for the same term. 6or simplification, the present name is suggested.