Dionex Aquion IC System: ion chromatography for water analysis

Perform reliable, basic anion and cation analyses with the Thermo Scientific Dionex Aquion ion chromatography system. This simple, compact ion chromatography (IC) instrument, commonly used for water analysis, is designed for ease of use and straightforward operation for budget-limited labs. It supports electrolytic suppression and includes a vacuum degasser for inline degassing of eluents. It also offers fast start-up times and reliable, stable performance for demanding applications in environmental, food safety, and academic laboratories.

Highlights

Conductivity detection
The inert, nonmetallic PEEK flow path of the Dionex Aquion IC system is designed and optimized for applications using conductivity detection. It ensures compatibility with corrosive eluents and IC analyses free from metal contamination. The high-performance conductivity cell is temperature controlled to protect against ambient temperature variations. Digital control of the cell offers a wide, dynamic range for detection.

Suppressor compatibility
The Dionex Aquion IC system supports both chemical and electrolytic suppression technologies. Suppressors remove conductive ions from the eluent to increase analyte signal while decreasing background noise. This enables the highest possible sensitivity and lowest detection limits for conductivity detection.

Optional column heater
Get increased precision and run applications at elevated temperatures with an optional column heater. The column heater preheats the eluent prior to entering the column and maintains the column temperature set by the user. Heater temperature can be set between 30°C and 60°C.

Eluent degasser
Eluent degassing reduces baseline noise, ensuring reproducibility and protection of eluents from contamination and decomposition. An optional built-in vacuum degas provides in-line degassing of eluents, and operation can be automated to sense when degassing is required.

CDS Software
The Dionex Aquion IC system comes with the easy-to-use Thermo Scientific Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS). This software platform provides powerful control and data processing for IC and offers eWorkflows that make all our essential applications easily accessible.

Convenient bundles
Dionex Aquion IC bundles for anion or cation analysis include all hardware, software, and consumables to get started, with optional extended warranties available for peace of mind.

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System specifications

The table below provides an overview of the Dionex Aquion IC system specifications. Not all specifications are listed. For a full list of the specifications, download the Dionex Aquion Ion Chromatography system specifications sheet.

Specification

Dionex Aquion IC System

Analytical pump and fluidics

Type

Serial dual-reciprocating pistons, microprocessor-controlled constant stroke, variable speed

Construction

Chemically inert, metal-free PEEK pump heads and flow paths compatible with aqueous eluents of pH 0–14 and reversed-phase solvents

Pump operating pressure

0–35 MPa (0–5000 psi)

Flow rate range

0.00–5.00 mL/min without changing pump heads

Flow precision

<0.1%, typically

Flow accuracy

<0.1%, typically

Pressure ripple

<1% at 13.8 MPa (2000 psi) and 1.0 mL/min

Eluent on-off valve

Standard

Piston seal wash

Dual-pump head, wash can be continuous when connected to rinse solution supply

Pressure alarm limits

Upper limit 0–35 MPa or 0–5000 psi in one unit (MPa or psi) increments; lower limit can be set up to one unit lower than upper limit

Vacuum degas

Yes, optional, automatic control

Eluent bottles

Polypropylene, up to 4L volume

Eluent bottle pressure

Not required

Columns supported

2, 3, 4, and 5 mm i.d.; maximum length 250 mm analytical column with 50 mm guard column

Injection valve

Type

6-port, 2 position Rheodyne valve, electrically actuated

Column heater (optional)

Operating temperature range

30 to 60 °C (86 to 140 °F); minimum 5 °C above ambient; settable range is equal to working range

Temperature accuracy

±0.5 °C at sensor, at 40 °C

Suppressors and control

Chemical suppression

2 mm and 4 mm anion and cation, membrane suppression bed types

Displacement chemical suppression

2 mm and 4 mm anion and cation, membrane suppression bed types

Electrolytic suppression

2 mm and 4 mm anion and cation, membrane suppression bed types available

Electrolytic suppression with external water mode

2 mm and 4 mm anion and cation, membrane suppression bed types available

Current control range

Thermo Scientific Dionex ERS 500 Electrolytically Regenerated Suppressor: 4 mm, 0–500 mA in 1 mA increments 2 mm, 0–150 mA in 1 mA increments
Thermo Scientific Dionex ERD 500 Electrolytically Regenerated Desalter: 0–500 mA (4 mm) and 0–150 mA (2 mm) in 1 mA increments
Thermo Scientific Dionex SRN Self-Regenerating Neutralizer: 0–500 mA in 1 mA increment

Salt converter

Available in 2 and 4 mm versions

Carbonic acid removal for anions

Dionex AERS 500 suppressor with Thermo Scientific Dionex CRD 200 Carbonate Removal Device for hydroxide eluents Dionex AERS 500 suppressor with Dionex CRD 300 device for carbonate eluents

Non-suppressed chromatography

Yes, supported

Suppressor wear parts

None; peristaltic pump and inline filters not required

Conductivity detector electronics and flow cell

Type

Microprocessor-controlled digital signal processor

Cell drive

8 kHz square wave

Detector linearity

1% up to 1 mS

Maximum cell pressure

10 MPa (1500 psi)

Resolution

0.00238 nS/cm

Full-scale output ranges

Digital signal range 0–15000 μS/cm
Analog signal range 0–15000 μS/cm

Electronic noise

±0.1 nS when background conductivity is 0–150 µS/cm
±2 nS when background conductivity is 151–3200 μS/cm

Filter

Rise times from 0 to 10 s, user selectable

Temperature compensation

Fixed at 1.7% per 1 °C at cell temperature

Temperature range

Ambient +7 °C, 30 to 55 °C

Cell electrodes

Passivated 316 stainless steel; compatible with MSA

Cell body

Chemically inert polymeric material

Cell volume

<1 µL

Heat exchanger

Inert, tortuous path for low axial dispersion

Autosampler

Automation using autosampler

For more information about available autosamplers, visit the IC Autosamplers page

System software

 

Chromeleon CDS, requires Microsoft® Windows® 10

Physical specifications

Dimensions (h × w × d)

56.1 cm × 22.4 cm × 53.3 cm (22.1 in × 8.8 in × 21 in)

Weight

24.5 kg (54 lb)

Power requirements

100 to 240 V AC, 50 to 60 Hz, autoranging

Operating temperature

4–40 °C (40–104 °F); cold-room-compatible (4 °C) as long as system power remains on

Operating humidity range

5–95% relative, noncondensing

Control modes

Full control through Chromeleon CDS software; alternative control through TTL or relay closures; two relay outputs, two TTL outputs, four programmable inputs

USB communication protocol

One USB input; one built-in two-output USB hub

Leak detection

Built-in, optical sensor

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.