Ion chromatography instrumentation

For many years, the concept of the conductivity detector could not work, however. Ion chromatography experiments utilize solutions of high ion concentrations as the mobile phase. Thus, changes in conductivity due to eluting ions are not detectable above the already high conductivity of the mobile phase. This was true until the invention of so-called ion suppressors. Today, conductivity detectors are used extensively in HPLC ion chromatography instruments that also include suppressors. 

Ion chromatography instruments have the same components as those found in HPLC (see Fig. 4.1). They can exist as individual components or as an integrated instrument. The components of the system are made out of inert materials because the mobile phase is composed of acids or alkaline entities that can be highly corrosive. Instruments that operate in the isocratic mode are used more often than those allowing gradient elution. 

Recently, commercial ion-chromatography instrumentation that requires no suppressor column has become available. This approach depends on the small differences in conductivity between sample ions and the prevailing eluent ions. To... 

WE. Rich, F. Smith, L. McNeill, and T. Sidebottom, Ion Exclusion Coupled to Ion Chromatography Instrumentation and Application . In Ion Chromatographic Analysis of Environmental Pollutants, Vol. 2. Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor Michigan 1979 p. 17. 

This section describes the various components of an ion chromatography instrument, their function, and some general points for upkeep of the chromatograph. New IC users can use the information to understand how an instrument is built and to recognize the parts of the instrument that may need maintenance. The hardware is similar to that used for high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) but does have important differences. Readers who are familiar with HPLC will recognize the similarity and the differences to IC hardware [7-9]. 

Conductivity detectors are widely used in ion chromatography instruments using eluant suppression detection. The detectors are inexpensive, simple, rugged, and easy to miniaturize. The same type of detectors can be used for any chromatographic process to detect charged species in a nonionic eluant. 

See also Amperometry. Atomic Emission Spectrometry Flame Photometry. Chemiiuminescence Overview Liquid-Phase. Flow Injection Analysis Principles. Fluorescence Quantitative Analysis. Ion Exchange Ion Chromatography Instrumentation. Liquid Chromatography Overview. Ozone. Sampling Theory. Sulfur. Textiles Natural Synthetic. 

See also Carbohydrates Overview Sugars - Spectro-photometric Methods. Chromatography Overview. Gas Chromatography Overview Mass Spectrometry Chirai Separations. Ion Exchange Overview Ion Chromatography Instrumentation Ion Chromatography Applications. Liquid Chromatography Overview Normal Phase Reversed Phase Clinical Applications Food Applications. Mass Spectrometry Overview ... 

Ion Chromatography Instrumentation Ion Chromatography Applications. Sampling Theory. Sulfur. 

See also Air Analysis Sampling. Ion Exchange Ion Chromatography Instrumentation. Sample Dissolution for Elemental Analysis Dry Ashing Oxygen Flask Combustion Wet Digestion Microwave Digestion. Water Analysis Overview Freshwater. 

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