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Enabling Efficient Ion Chromatography with Sensitive Conductivity and Electrochemistry Detectors

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Wai Chi Man, Technical Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explains how ion chromatography can improve water contaminant analyses

10 Oct 2016
Weylan Kiam-Laine
Microbiologist

Editorial article

Wai-Chi Man, Technical Specialist, Ion Chromatography, Thermo Fisher ScientificEuropean Water Framework Directive The EU Water Framework Directive commits all member states to achieve good qualitative and quantitative statuses for all water bodies, laying down strategies against water pollution through identification of priority substances and monitoring of different classes of contaminants.

Ion chromatography is the dominant analytical technique for analyzing organic and inorganic ions due to its ability to detect several anions in a single analysis. High pressure ion chromatography (HPIC) is capable of detecting substances such as chlorate and when equipped with electrochemical detectors, can also detect compounds such as cyanide, sulfide and phenol – many of which carry potential health risks.

As a result, a robust and high sensitivity instrument is necessary. Wai-Chi explains that “the key benefit of the Integrion is that it can run up to 5000 psi”. “We can also have RFIC (reagent free ion chromatography) running our EG cartridges” she describes, reducing the need for manual sample preparation. Wai-Chi goes on to describe how significantly higher throughput can also be achieved using 4 micron columns, as a result of the increased pressure. In environmental labs, Wai-Chi explains that this instrument is typically “used to look at low level contaminants, such as bromate or chlorate in water, that could be harmful to the body”.


In the future, IC can be used for analyzing pollutants... using mass spectrometry to get lower sensitivity

Wai-Chi Man  Thermo Fisher Scientific


Watch our talk with Wai-Chi and more interviews from the Water Contaminants Analysis for the EU Water Framework Directive Symposium.

Use the Dionex Integrion IC system for your research? Leave a product review today and help other scientists conducting research in your field.

 

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Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ Integrion™ HPIC™ System

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As an ion chromatographer, the routine IC applications you run give the rest of us the peace of mind to use everyday resources like water, food and beverages, biofuels and pharmaceuticals without a second thought. Using this high-pressure-capable IC system to separate and quantify common ionic pollutants in municipal drinking water and wastewater can provide faster, more cost-effective methods for regulatory compliance testing.   Nothing supports you in this role more than your laboratory instruments. The Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ Integrion™ HPIC™ system is designed to be your reliable lab partner.     Features:   Simplified plumbing layout with integrated architecture - Layout based on logical flow-path for easy component access in a compact platform with a small physical footprint. Consumables Device Monitor - Provides positive identification of a consumable's performance metrics, preventing consumable installation errors and mismatches by automatically logging consumable use and performance. Detachable tablet with local language support - Flexible access to IC controls that speak your language Upgradeable features - In a fluid market with changing demands, the Dionex Integrion IC system offers a wide range of upgradable components, so it can grow with your needs over time. These include electrolytic sample preparation and electrolytic water purification Automated Eluent Generation (EG™) - Eliminate human errors associated with manual eluent preparation and improve method reproducibility from operator-to-operator and lab-to-lab. The Dionex Integrion IC system brings consistent results to all your applications. In this case, 100 injections of a simple sugar mixture are highly reproducible. Wide range of column support - Choose the column sizes you need for your applications, including smaller-particle-size 4 µm columns that provide faster run times and better resolution. Flexibility – two different models to choose from and option to choose right detector or column format for your application

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Ion ChromatographyIon chromatography, also known as ion exchange chromatography, is a high-performance liquid chromatographic technique used for the separation and identification of ions or polar molecules in a sample, including proteins, nucleotides and amino acids. Equipment includes ion exchange columns, ion exclusion columns, ion chromatography systems, pumps, and detectors. Find the best ion chromatography equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.Environmental Monitoring and TestingEnvironmental monitoring and testing uses handheld portable analyzers, kits, spectrometers or chromatography systems for air, water, soil, food and other sample testing. Useful features of analyzers such as BOD and COD include portability, easy calibration, automation and sensitivity.  Environmental test kits for pH, water, moisture, etc, should be accurate, sensitive, reliable, fast and easy to use.Water PurificationThere are a number of water purification methods available to remove contamination from laboratory water. These systems include demineralization, reverse osmosis, filtration and ultrafiltration. A combination of methods is sometimes necessary to achieve purified water suitable for use in experiments.Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that have a low boiling point. Some VOCs are harmful to human health, whereas others can be used to determine the shelf-life of foods samples. High ThroughputHigh throughput experiments allow the simultaneous processing of several samples. This parallelization reduces the cost per experiment and increases reproducibility and output volume of data.Water AnalysisAnalytical methods used to test the purity of drinking water include determining the level of contaminants abides to the level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Environmental ContaminationContaminants in the environment are harmful chemicals that are present in the air, land and water. These include pesticides, pharmaceuticals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and many more.Environmental AnalysisEnvironmental analysis describes a variety of tests that determine the effect of chemicals, processes and particulates such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have on the environment.Capillary Ion ChromatographyOrganic CompoundsOrganic compounds are carbon-based molecules that form the building blocks of life. These include hydrocarbons, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Understanding organic compounds is crucial in chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology. Explore organic compound analysis tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Semi Volatile Organic CompoundsSemi volatiles organic compounds (SVOCs) are a groups of compounds that have a low boiling point and evaporate above room temperature. SVOCs include phenols and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

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