Using a microprocessor in high performance liquid chromatography

The background and use of a microprocessor-controlled liquid chromatograph to carry out the automatic optimization of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separations is discussed. The procedure is based upon the use of the modified sequential simplex algorithm to select the optimum composition of a three component mobile phase. The way in which the simplex algorithm is incorporated into a program and the hardware used is described. The use of this approach provides the chromatographer with the ability to optimize HPLC separations without requiring either extensive theoretical knowledge or a great expenditure of time and effort.