Number of plates for required separation:

An equation which is useful in determining the number of plates and, thus, the length of column required is given below:

N_req= 16 R_s² (α/α - 1)²( k₂+ 1/k₂)²                                                                         

where, k´₂= capacity factor for peak 2

= Adjusted retention time, X _s/Reention time air

where, Rs is the resolution needs, and α is the solvent efficiency both as defined above.