Installation Instruction for ProfIC Vario 11 Anion

Significance of the Topic

The determination of trace anions at the ng/L–µg/L level is critical in environmental monitoring, water quality control, and industrial process analysis. The ProfIC Vario 11 Anion system combines sample preconcentration, matrix neutralization, and matrix elimination to achieve ppt‐level sensitivity and reliable quantification in complex matrices.

Objectives and Overview

This bulletin details the installation and configuration of the ProfIC Vario 11 Anion package. It describes the hardware components, software setup with MagIC Net, fluidic connections, system purging, method setup, and an example measurement demonstrating performance. The goal is to guide users through a standardized process to achieve optimal chromatographic results.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The installation comprises the following key devices: 940 Professional IC Vario for chromatographic separation
858 Professional Sample Processor for automated sample handling and inline neutralization
800 LH Dosino for high‐precision liquid dosing
MSM and SPM suppressors for electrolytic removal of eluent background and sample matrix
Metrosep columns for preconcentration and analytical separation
MagIC Net 3.1 software for method control and data evaluation

Installation proceeds in defined steps:
• Software installation and USB driver setup for instrument recognition in MagIC Net
• Mechanical assembly of the Vario unit, detector, Dosino holder, and waste collector
• Mounting and plumbing of the Liquid Handling Station on the sample processor
• Connection of peristaltic and Dosino pumps with appropriate tubing, trap columns, and adsorber cartridges to ensure ultra‐pure water supply and CO₂ removal
• Routing of capillaries for eluent delivery, sample loop replacement by preconcentration column, suppressor inlets/outlets, and waste lines
• System purging with eluent and water to remove air and contaminants before column installation
• Final reconnection of analytical column, detector, and sample processor followed by baseline stabilization

Main Results and Discussion

Using a 5 mM Na₂CO₃/0.3 mM NaOH eluent on a Metrosep A Supp 15–150/4.0 column at 30 °C, seven anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻) were quantified down to 0.1 µg/L. Calibration curves in the 0.1–25 µg/L range exhibited correlation coefficients >0.9999 and relative standard deviations <2.2%. Preconcentration of 2 mL yielded recoveries between 91% and 98% with RSDs below 2%.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Ultra‐trace detection: ppt sensitivity for environmental and drinking water analysis
• Automated neutralization: inline adjustment of strongly acidic or alkaline samples
• Matrix elimination: reliable results in challenging matrices without manual pretreatment
• Flexible software control: MagIC Net method library and user‐defined programs

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Integration with eluent production modules and real‐time data monitoring will enhance continuous operation and reduce manual interventions. Advances in microfluidic suppressor design and greener eluents will further lower detection limits and environmental footprint. The system’s modularity lends itself to automated field stations for on‐site water quality surveillance and coupling with mass spectrometry for speciation studies.

Conclusion

The ProfIC Vario 11 Anion installation procedure ensures a robust, high‐sensitivity IC setup for trace anion analysis. Following the standardized assembly, software configuration, and purging steps, laboratories can achieve reproducible ppt‐level detection and streamlined workflow for diverse sample types. The modular design and advanced software support future expansions toward fully automated, in‐line monitoring solutions.