The retention times on active carbon column were observed about thirteen organic vapors by gas chromatography.
The organic compounds were n-alcohols of C₁-C₄, n-paraffines of C₅-C₆, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, cyclohexane, benzene and carbon tetrachloride. The active carbon was a commercial activated wood charcoal produced for gas mask canisters. The retention times of organic vapors depended upon temperature of the column in accordance with Arrhenius' equation in the range of 60°C-250°C. In the homologous series of n-alcohols and ketones, the logarithmic retention times were in linear relation with their boiling points respectively at each temperature of 150°C, 200°C and 250°C. Retention time of each compound was extrapolated to 60°C by Arrhenius' relation to obtain their relative retention times to compare with that of carbon tetrachloride at that temperature, considering the national approval test of gas mask canisters where carbon tetrachloride was chosen as the test gas for masks.