Estimation of dead time and calculation of kovats indises

To increase the usefulness of gas chromatography, a method qf data presentation is required that removes interlaboratory variations. All such methods require the determination of the system dead time, with the most useful being the retention index system of Kovats. This paper reviews the many theoretical, experimental and mathematical methods of estimating system dead time and evaluates their usefulness, not only in the estimation of dead time, but also in the subsequent calculation of Kovats indices. Recommendations are made as to the appropriate method to be used, and the expected accuracy in retention index values is estimated.