Configuring the Dionex Integrion System for Fast Anion Determinations Using Prepared Eluents

Importance of the Topic

This technical note addresses the growing demand for rapid, high-resolution anion analysis in environmental and drinking water testing. By leveraging the latest Dionex Integrion HPIC system and optimized IonPac AS22 columns, laboratories can shorten run times, maintain sensitive detection, and support regulatory compliance for municipal, bottled, and recreational water analysis.

Study Objectives and Overview

The primary goal is to provide a step-by-step guide for installing and configuring a fast anion determination application on the Dionex Integrion HPIC system using manually prepared carbonate/bicarbonate eluents. This includes system plumbing, software configuration in Chromeleon CDS, method creation, and demonstration of performance across different column formats.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Manually prepared eluent (4.5 mM sodium carbonate, 1.4 mM sodium bicarbonate) is used with suppressed conductivity detection. Key steps include:

• Plumbing with IC Viper fittings to minimize dead volume between pump, guard/separation columns, suppressor, and detector.
• Pump priming and system startup, including hydration of the AERS 500 Carbonate suppressor in recycle mode.
• Chromeleon CDS configuration: adding Integrion HPIC System, Pump Wellness, and AS-DV autosampler modules, assigning USB addresses, and approving consumable device tracking.
• Creation of an instrument method in Chromeleon: defining flow rates, injection volumes, column temperature, and suppressor current settings.

Main Results and Discussion

Performance was demonstrated on three IonPac AS22 column formats:

• 4 × 250 mm (6 µm resin) – 12-minute separation at 1.2 mL/min, backpressure ~1800 psi.
• 4 × 150 mm Fast (4 µm resin) – 7-minute separation at 1.2 mL/min, backpressure ~2700 psi.
• 2 × 150 mm Fast (4 µm resin) – 5-minute separation at 0.5 mL/min (equivalent to 2.0 mL/min on 4 mm i.d.), backpressure ~2600 psi.

Analytes included fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate. Noise levels remained below 1 nS, enabling low detection limits. Applications to pool water and municipal drinking water samples confirmed method robustness.

Benefits and Practical Applications

This configuration delivers high throughput with minimal sacrifice in resolution. Practical benefits include reduced cycle times for routine water quality monitoring, lower solvent consumption, and seamless consumables tracking for GMP compliance.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in sub-2 µm particle columns and higher-pressure IC systems may further reduce analysis times below five minutes. Integration with eluent generation modules and enhanced software automation can streamline method development and remote monitoring in multi-site laboratories.

Conclusion

The Dionex Integrion HPIC system, combined with IonPac AS22 and AS22-Fast columns and the AERS 500 Carbonate suppressor, enables rapid, sensitive, and reproducible anion separations suitable for environmental and drinking water analysis. Comprehensive software and hardware integration support high-pressure operation and consumables tracking for reliable routine performance.

References

• Thermo Fisher Scientific. Dionex Integrion Operator’s Manual. P/N 22153-97003, 2016.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific. Dionex ERS 500 Suppressor Product Manual. P/N 031956-09, 2015.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific. IonPac AS22-Fast-4µm Column Product Manual. P/N 065604-01, 2014.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific. Dionex AS-DV Autosampler Operator’s Manual. Document No. 065259, 2012.