Some theoretical and practical aspects of the use of radio gas chromatographs

Exact relations for count rate and count number have been derived which permit the specific activities of gas chromatographic peaks to be calculated for the case when peaks are delayed but not distorted in the flow-type counting tube. For distorted peaks (large counting-tube volumes), no such calculations can be carried out. In agreement with literature data, it is shown that the optimum voltage applied to the counter can be found by use of external radiation sources. The measured count number is significantly affected by the composition of the counting gas; as regards the efficiency of the counting, there is an optimum gas composition where the count number is at a maximum (the other parameters affecting the counting being kept constant). Under otherwise identical conditions, the width of the gas chromatographic peak has no effect on the observed count number and thus the activities of narrow and wide gas chromatographic peaks can be evaluated equally well