Binary retention time method for rapid determination of competitive Langmuir isotherm parameters

A method, based on the equilibrium theory of chromatography, to estimate competitive Langmuir isotherm parameters by measuring the retention time of the two shock fronts from pulse injections of binary mixtures has been developed. This method eliminates the need for detector calibration and pure component injections; and computational time required is significantly reduced allowing for rapid parameter estimations. The method has been tested on published results and it has been found that parameters obtained from this “binary retention time method” are comparable to those estimated from more rigorous techniques such as the inverse method. The effectiveness and limitations of this method in rapid determination of isotherm parameters are discussed.