Precision and Accuracy in Gas Chromatographic Analysis

Abstract

THE extensive use of gas chromatography to provide quantitative information on the composition of mixtures of organic compounds has prompted an investigation designed to give some indication of the reliability expected. With the exception of the gas density balance, the commonly used detectors do not give a response which can be predicted accurately from the physical or chemical properties of the compounds concerned, so that for highest accuracy calibration is necessary. The development of high-sensitivity detectors has made possible the achievement of high column performance by virtue of the smaller sample loads used, but since reproducible loading becomes more difficult the use of internal standards becomes desirable.