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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317434
Title: Improvements in ion reflux: An electrodialytic eluent generation and suppression device for ion chromatography

Author
item Elkin, Kyle
item RIVIELLO, JOHN - Collaborator
item SMALL, HAMISH - Collaborator

Submitted to: Journal of Chromatography A
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2015
Publication Date: 7/12/2015
Citation: Elkin, K.R., Riviello, J., Small, H. 2015. Improvements in ion reflux: An electrodialytic eluent generation and suppression device for ion chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A. 1403:63-69.

Interpretive Summary: Improving the efficiency of reagent use in laboratories can help to lower consumable costs, which are often quite high, and reduce the generation of laboratory chemical wastes. We developed a new technology for ion chromatography that generates the eluents needed in chromatography and recycles key reagents. The technology, which runs continuously, consumes only a small volume of water and effectively eliminates the need for adding new reagents and for disposing of chemical waste.

Technical Abstract: This work describes a membrane based electrodialytic ion reflux device (IRD), which uses water as the pumped phase and integrates isocratic and gradient eluent generation and suppression. The current design incorporates several ion exchange membranes to create discrete chambers for suppression and eluent generation, while isolating the electrodes from the analytical stream. A small volume of recycled water can be used as the pumped phase while continuously refluxing the eluent ions. This current design permits electronically controlled eluent generation of at least 16.4 µeq KOH min -1, while maintaining low suppressed background conductivity (< 0.5 µS/cm). The device was operated in gradient or isocratic mode continuously for up to 6 weeks. During this period, over 500 gradient and isocratic injections were performed, showing peak retention time precision below 1.5 % RSD.