Employing a simple computer program and equation (21), (28) and (29) the values of (a), (k') and (L) can be calculated over a range of temperatures. The results obtained are shown in figure 52. Referring to figure 52(C). It is seen that the minimum column length required to separate the phenyl ethanol enantiomers exhibits a curious relationship with column temperature.

Figure 52. Graphs of Separation Ratio, Capacity Ratio and Minimum Column Length against Temperature.

It should be noted that assuming all the columns are operating at their optimum velocity, the column length will be approximately proportional to the analysis time (time for the elution of the second component). At low temperatures the column length and analysis time is exceedingly small, the column length being about 2 cm. Although the separation could theoretically be accomplished with a column of 2 cm long, due to both the very high value for the (k') of the first peak and the retention ratio of the pair being relatively large, other factors would preclude its use. A column 2 cm long would have an impossibly small loading capacity and thus strain the performance of even the most sensitive detectors.