Installation Instruction for ProfIC Vario 14 Anion

Significance of the topic

Ion chromatography with sequential suppression and the intelligent Pick-up Technique enables trace anion determination with minimal sample volume, addressing critical needs in environmental, pharmaceutical, and industrial analytics.

Objectives and overview of the application bulletin

This bulletin describes the step-by-step installation and configuration of the Metrohm ProfIC Vario 14 Anion system. It integrates an automated sample processor, precise dosing, and an electrolytic suppressor to achieve reliable quantification of common anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, and sulfate) with injection volumes from 4 to 60 µL.

Instrumentation

• 940 Professional IC Vario equipped with Metrosep A Supp 15 column and conductivity detector
• 858 Professional Sample Processor with MiPuT needle for low-dead-volume sample uptake
• 800 Dosino dosing unit for transfer solution and rinse management
• Liquid Handling Station for internal/external rinsing
• Peristaltic pump for ultrapure water supply
• 941 Eluent Production Module (optional) for automated eluent generation

Methodology

Samples are aspirated via the MiPuT needle from standard vials (5 µL injection) with minimal carry-over (<0.0001%). An eluent of 5.0 mmol/L Na2CO3/0.3 mmol/L NaOH at 45 °C separates anions on the Metrosep column. Sequential suppression via the MSM rotor ensures low background conductivity. The MagIC Net software controls instrument parameters, sample sequences, and calibration.

Main results and discussion

An exemplar chromatogram demonstrated clear resolution of all target anions at 5 µL injection. Precision tests (n=6, 10 µL injections of tap water) yielded RSDs below 1.1% for all analytes. Five-level calibrations over a 1:10 concentration range produced correlation coefficients >0.9999 and percentage standard deviations below 5% (e.g., fluoride: R² = 0.999934, σ = 4.66%).

Benefits and practical applications

• Minimal sample consumption with 95 µL residual for repeat analyses
• High sensitivity to µg/L levels with virtually no carry-over
• Automated sample handling and calibration enhance throughput and reproducibility
• Modular setup accommodates optional eluent production and alternative suppression protocols

Future trends and possibilities

Emerging developments may include further miniaturization of injection volumes, on-line eluent preparation, advanced multiplexed suppression, and integration with mass spectrometric detection for broader anion profiling in complex matrices.

Conclusion

The ProfIC Vario 14 Anion system provides a robust, fully automated solution for high-precision anion analysis with low sample demand. Its flexible configuration and intelligent sampling technology support routine QC and advanced research applications with excellent sensitivity and reproducibility.