Peak Deconvolution
Where there is inadequate resolution it is necessary to resort to other procedures.
Figure 28. The Deconvolution of Two Partially Resolved Peaks Representing Solutes Present in Equal Quantities
One such technique is peak deconvolution. that under some circumstances can be reasonably successful. However, effort should be made to separate the mixture by chromatography and only employ peak deconvolution as a last resort.
"Clever algorithms are not an acceptable substitute for good chromatography."
An example of the convolution of two partially resolved peaks of equal size is shown in figure 28. The two Gaussian peaks can be easily extracted from the composite envelope and the peak heights or peak areas determined. An example of the analysis of a composite envelope for two peaks of different size, is shown in figure 29 again the position of the maximum and width, of the major component is easily identifiable.
Figure 29 The Deconvolution of Two Partially Resolved Peaks Representing Solutes Present in Unequal Quantities
