Peak capacity can be calculated as:

n = 1 + N1/2/4 ln tn/t1,

Where:

N = Theoretical plate number (L/H)

t1, = Retention time of the first peak

tn = Retention time of the last peak

With a 1D GC system if:

L = 30 m H = 0.3 mm

t1 = 50 sec tn = 1,800 sec

N = 100,000 plates

The peak capacity is thus:

n = 284 peaks

With a GC×GC system if:

L2 = 1 m H = 0.3 mm

t1 = 0.5 sec tn = 4.5 sec

N = 3,333 plates

n2 = 33 peaks

The peak capacity is thus:

n1 × n2 = 284 × 33 = 9,372 peaks