Combustion ion chromatography with a Dionex Integrion HPIC system using Chromeleon 7 CDS software

Importance of the Topic

Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) represents a powerful extension of conventional ion chromatography for samples that are solids, powders, non-aqueous solutions or gases. By coupling automated oxidative pyrolysis with direct aqueous absorption of combustion products, CIC enables determination of total halogens and total sulfur without time-consuming sample preparation steps such as acid digestion or organic solvent extraction. The method combines high sensitivity, reproducibility and reduced hazardous waste generation compared to traditional approaches.

Objectives and Overview

The technical note updates a previous application with a unified control and data system. It describes how to install, configure and operate a single-software CIC platform combining a Nittoseiko AQF-2100H automated combustion furnace and a Thermo Scientific Dionex Integrion HPIC system under Chromeleon CDS version 7.3 or higher. Key goals include streamlining instrument communication, simplifying user workflows and ensuring robust quantitation of total fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide and sulfate.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Automated combustion furnace AQF-2100H modules: HF-210 furnace, GA-211 gas absorption, optional ES-211 external selector, ABC-210 boat controller, ASC-270LS autosampler for solids and liquids, GI-260 gas injector and CM-210 combustion monitor.
• Dionex Integrion HPIC system components: eluent generator (EGC 500), continuously regenerated anion trap (CR-ATC 600), high-pressure degasser, conductivity detector, column oven and suppressed conductivity detection (DRS 600 or ADRS 600).
• Gases and reagents: UHP argon and oxygen, degassed ASTM Type I water, stabilized hydrogen peroxide and sodium phosphate internal standard.
• Software: Chromeleon CDS 7.3 with CIC driver, instrument configuration of custom variables and script commands to synchronize combustion, absorption and IC injection steps.
• Workflow: sample pyrolysis at 800–1100 °C under O2, sparge combustion products into phosphate‐containing absorbing solution, constant volume factor determination, direct IC injection via GA-211 or Integrion valve, optional preconcentration with AXP auxiliary pump and concentrator column.

Main Results and Discussion

The integration of the AQF-2100H and Integrion HPIC under Chromeleon 7.3 enables seamless control of combustion, absorption and separation modules without require-ment for TTL cabling or multiple software packages. Custom variables manage measurement type, injection mode, absorption volume, sample mass and run time, allowing overlap of combustion and chromatographic cycles to maximize throughput. Constant volume calibration using phosphate internal standard ensures accurate quantitation. The system achieves reproducible determination of total halogens and sulfur in solids, liquids and gases at low mg/L levels with minimal operator intervention.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Eliminates extensive sample cleanup and extraction for challenging matrices.
• Reduces hazardous waste and operator variability.
• Automates full sample-to-result workflow for total halogen and sulfur analysis in environmental, petrochemical, polymer and food quality applications.
• Supports direct injection of gaseous samples such as liquefied petroleum gas.
• Enables low-level detection via preconcentration using anion concentrator column and auxiliary pump.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in software-driven automation and enhanced detectors may further improve CIC sensitivity, selectivity and throughput. Integration of mass spectrometric detection, miniaturized combustion reactors and expanded custom scripting could enable speciation of organohalogen compounds and rapid screening in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical quality control and advanced materials research. Remote operation and predictive maintenance through instrument intelligence will increase uptime and data reliability.

Conclusion

The updated CIC platform controlled by Chromeleon CDS 7.3 delivers a unified, highly automated solution for total halogen and sulfur analysis across a wide range of sample types. The simplified installation, customizable workflows and built-in consumables tracking streamline operations and ensure precise quantitation with minimal manual intervention.

References

1. Khor D Rohrer J Agustin A Manahan M Technical Note TN72211 Combustion ion chromatography with a Dionex Integrion HPIC System 2022
2. Thermo Scientific Operator’s Manual Integrion HPIC system 2016
3. Thermo Scientific Product Manual IonPac AS18-Fast-4 µm column 2018
4. Thermo Scientific Product Manual Eluent Generator Cartridges 2020
5. Thermo Scientific Product Manual Continuously Regenerated Trap Columns 2020
6. Thermo Scientific Product Manual DRS 600 and ERS 500 suppressors 2019
7. Thermo Scientific AppsLab Library of Analytical Applications