Investigations on the calculation of the third moments of elution peaks. I: Composite signals generated by adding up a mathematical function and experimental noise

Elution peaks were generated by summing up a mathematical function and a previously recorded experimental noise. The first three statistical moments of these peaks were calculated using several data processing methods. The results obtained were analyzed. From this analysis, a method is developed for the calculation with a satisfying accuracy of the third moments of these combined signals. The method is applicable to real chromatographic peaks and makes it possible to determine accurate estimates of their third moments. This approach could be helpful for the investigation of the mass transfer processes in chromatographic columns because the third moment provides direct access to the external mass transfer coefficient.