Ion Chromatography in Power Plant Chemistry

For analyses at ultra-trace levels a pre-concentration technique is usually employed. A defined volume of the sample to be analyzed is pumped with a sampling pump through the respective concentrator column, which is connected to the injection valve in place of the sample loop (Fig. 9-41). By switching the valve, all ions that have accumulated on the concentrator column are flushed onto the analytical separator column where they are separated. A tandem switching with two concentrator columns allows a simultaneous analysis and loading. 

Ion chromatography can also be applied for ultra-trace analysis of transition metals. In comparison to ICP-MS it offers the advantageous ability to specify the oxidation state of metals and, moreover, to carry out multi-element determinations in the lowest ng/L range after pre-concentration. Transition metal separation is performed with ion exchangers that have defined anion and cation exchange capacities detection is carried out photometrically after derivatization 

10 mmol/L H2SO4 flow rate 0.25 mL/min detection suppressed conductivity preconcentrated volume 40 mL solute concentrations  

A typical procedure for nuclear power stations is the monitoring of dissolved transition metals in the cooling circle (310 °C) of a light-water reactor. Cobalt is of special interest, because naturally occurring cobalt-59 is the source for activated cobalt-60 which, in turn, represents the largest contribution to the radiation outside the reactor core in water-cooled reactors. Reactor coolants are a 

1 g Luminol and 3 g boric acid are dissolved in 500 mL high-purity de-ion-ized water containing 5 mL hydrogen peroxide. The pH of this solution is adjusted to 12 with KOH. 

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Ion Chromatography in Power Plant Chemistry 11071 (a) Sample Concentration (b) Sample Injection... 

Ion Chromatography in Power Plant Chemistry 11083 Table 10.15 Standard concentrations of inorganic anions for RFIC-ESP. 

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