In this mode, enter a value to multiply the original outlet carrier gas flow by with the intention of decreasing (or increasing) the run time of your method. The tool calculates the temperature and pressure for your current column and carrier gas to meet the new desired outlet flow. As always with method translation, the elution order of your current method will hold constant.
Generally, increasing the flow rate compared to its optimum value can substantially reduce the analysis time compared to the maximum efficiency time at a cost of only a minor loss in the resolution of chromatographic peaks. However, if during its prior development the original method has already been optimized for the best compromise between the speed of analysis and the resolution of the most critical peak pairs, selection of the Translate mode can yield better result compared to the Fast Analysis mode.
In this mode, the tool translates the current method to a new one based on change of column dimensions, carrier gas type, outlet pressure, and/or phase ratio. If phase ratios of the columns in both methods are the same, then this translation mode maintains relative position on the van Deemter curve. The relative retention times of the peaks are locked, so the order of elution is preserved.
Use this translation mode:
This translation mode provides the tightest link between the properties of the original and translated methods.
In this mode, the tool calculates new conditions (using your current column) that correspond to the theoretical optimum gas flow rate for the greatest separation efficiency for most compounds.
When this mode is selected, enter your current conditions and the program will adjust the temperatures and flow rate to match the theoretical optimum. The elution order of the peaks will stay the same, but the retention time will probably change.
Generally, the flow rate in the Best Efficiency mode is expected to provide the best compromise among the conflicting requirements affecting column efficiency and peak resolution. However, if during its prior development the original method has been optimized for the best resolution for the most critical peak pairs, selection of the Translate mode can yield better results compared to the Best Efficiency mode.