Installation Instruction for ProfIC Vario 9 Anion

Significance of the Topic

Accurate determination of inorganic anions at sub-ppb levels is essential across environmental, food and pharmaceutical quality control. Matrix elimination and online preconcentration techniques enhance sensitivity and reliability by removing interfering species and concentrating analytes before separation.

Study Objectives and Overview

This bulletin describes the complete installation and configuration workflow for the ProfIC Vario 9 Anion system, designed for trace analysis of common anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, sulfate and phosphate). It covers hardware setup, software configuration in MagIC Net, method editing and system validation through exemplary measurements.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The ProfIC Vario 9 Anion incorporates:

• An intelligent 800 Dosino for high-precision online preconcentration on a trap column, replacing the sample loop.
• A Matrix Elimination technique to remove complex sample matrices.
• An 858 Professional Sample Processor with Swing Head for automated sample handling and rinsing.
• A 940 Professional IC Vario configured with Metrohm Suppressor Module (MSM) and a conductivity detector for separation and detection.
• MagIC Net 3.1 software for instrument control, method development and data evaluation.

Installation steps include physical mounting of the IC, Dosinos and sample processor, interconnecting capillaries and pump tubings, followed by software installation, device recognition in MagIC Net and stepwise configuration of rack positions, Dosino parameters and fluidic layouts.

Designed Workflow

The configured method uses a Metrosep A Supp 15 - 150/4.0 column at 45 °C. Standards are prepared in a calibration range of 0.1–10 µg/L with a quadratic fit. Sample preconcentration volumes of 4 mL are dosed through the trap column to eliminate matrix effects. Suppressor regeneration and rinsing cycles are managed by the peristaltic pump and MSM.

Main Results and Discussion

Calibration yielded correlation coefficients above 0.9998 for all analytes. Precision (RSD) was better than 2.6 % at 0.5 µg/L and below 1.7 % at 5 and 1000 µg/L. Recoveries ranged from 94.6 % to 102.4 % at low-level spiking (0.5 µg/L) and remained similarly robust at higher concentrations. The suppressor and capillary flushing protocols ensured stable baselines and reproducible retention times.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Trace-level detection down to sub-µg/L in diverse matrices without extensive offline cleanup.
• High throughput through automated rinsing and sample processing.
• Enhanced sensitivity via online preconcentration and matrix elimination.
• Seamless integration of hardware modules in MagIC Net for unified control.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Advances may include integration with online eluent production modules, further miniaturization of Dosino units, AI-driven method optimization in control software and real-time process monitoring. Coupling with mass spectrometry or multi-detector setups could expand analyte scope and improve specificity.

Conclusion

The ProfIC Vario 9 Anion offers a robust, fully automated solution for trace anion analysis. Its combination of matrix elimination, high-precision preconcentration and reliable suppression provides reproducible, low-noise results, making it suitable for demanding QA/QC and research environments.