IonPac NS1 Manual
Document No. 034024-06
Page 6 of 35
SECTION 2 - INSTALLATION
2.1
System Requirements
The IonPac NS1 Guard and analytical columns can be run on any PEEK Dionex Chromatograph. Depending upon the application,
the system should be equipped with either a conductivity detector and an ASRS ULTRA II for MPIC applications or a UV/Vis
detector for reversed-phase and ion pair applications. Gradient or isocratic methods should be performed on a system having a
gradient pump configured for standard bore operation. For isocratic analyses at flow rates below 0.5 mL/min and gradient analyses,
a gradient pump (1/16" pistons) must be employed.
2.2
The System Injection Loop, 10 - 15 µL
For most applications on a 4-mm analytical system, a 10–50 µL injection loop will be sufficient. Dionex recommends that a 10
µL injection loop be used to avoid overloading the IonPac NS1 4-mm analytical column. Generally, do not inject more than 10
nanomoles (100–200 ppm) of any one analyte onto the 4-mm analytical column. Injecting larger volumes of samples can result
in overloading the column which can affect the detection linearity. This phenomenon will be more prevalent at higher
concentrations of the analytes of interest.
2.3
The IonPac Anion Trap Column
Gradient or step change applications for anion MPIC require an IonPac Anion Trap Column (ATC-3 (4-mm), P/N 037151); cation
MPIC applications require an IonPac Cation Trap Column (CTC-1 (4-mm), P/N 040192). The IonPac Trap Column should be
installed in place of the high pressure gradient mixer between the gradient pump and the injection valve. The IonPac Trap Column
is filled with high capacity ion exchange resin which helps to minimize the baseline shift caused by increasing ionic contaminant
levels in the eluent as the ionic concentration of the eluent is increased over the course of the gradient analysis.
To install the IonPac Trap Column, complete the following steps:
A. Remove the gradient mixer. It is installed between the gradient pump pressure transducer and the injection valve.
B. Connect the gradient pump directly to the IonPac Trap Column. Connect a waste line to the trap column outlet and direct
the line to a waste container.
C. If you are doing anion MPIC regenerate the ATC-3. Use 200 mL of 200 mM NaOH at a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min. Note
that the guard and analytical column are out of line.
D. Rinse the IonPac Trap Column with 30 mL of the strongest eluent that will be used during the gradient analysis.
E.
Connect the IonPac Trap Column, after flushing it with eluent, to the eluent line that is connected to the injection valve.
At the end of each operating day, the IonPac Trap Column should be regenerated to remove any impurities that may have
accumulated on it.
A. Disconnect the ATC-3 or the CTC-1. It should be installed before the injection valve.
B. Direct the outlet of the ATC-3 or the CTC-1 to a separate waste container.
C. Regenerate the ATC-3 or the CTC-1. For detail information on the operation on the ATC-3 or the CTC-1, see Document
No. 032697 for the ATC-3 and Document No. 034536 for the CTC-1.
