IonPac CS14 Manual
Doc. No. 034848-10
Page 9 of 54
SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION
3.1
System Requirements
3.1.1 System Requirements for 2-mm Operation
The IonPac CS14 2-mm Guard and Analytical Columns are designed to be run on the following Dionex Ion Chromatographs
equipped with suppressed conductivity detection. Isocratic analyses at flow rates of 0.5 mL/min or greater can be performed
on a pump with standard (1/8" pistons) pump heads. For isocratic analyses at flow rates below 0.5 mL/min and gradient
analyses, a microbore pump (1/16" pistons) must be employed.
3.1.2 System Requirements for 4-mm Operation
The IonPac CS14 4-mm Guard and Analytical Columns are designed to be run on any Dionex Ion Chromatograph equipped
with suppressed conductivity detection. Gradient methods and methods requiring solvent containing eluents should be
performed on a system having a pump with standard 1/8" pump heads. Isocratic analysis can also be performed on a standard
bore pump.
3.1.3 System Void Volume
When using 2-mm columns, it is particularly important to minimize system void volume. The system void volume should be
scaled down to at least 1/4 of the system volume in a standard 4-mm system. For best performance, all of the tubing installed
between the injection valve and detector should be 0.005" (P/N 044221) ID PEEK tubing. 0.010" ID PEEK tubing (P/N 042260)
or 0.012" Tefzel tubing (see “Dionex Product Selection Guide”) may be used but peak efficiency will be compromised which
may also result in decreased peak resolution. Minimize the lengths of all connecting tubing and remove all unnecessary
switching valves and couplers. If you need assistance in properly configuring your system contact the Dionex Office nearest
you (see, “Dionex Worldwide Offices”).
3.2
Installing the Cation Trap Column for Eluent Step change or Gradient Operation
An IonPac Cation Trap Column (CTC (2-mm), P/N 043132 or CTC-1 (4-mm), P/N 040192) should be installed between the
Gradient Pump and the injection valve. Remove the high pressure Gradient Mixer if present. The CTC is filled with high
capacity cation exchange resin which helps to minimize the baseline shift caused by increasing cationic contaminant levels in
the eluent as the ionic concentration of the eluent is increased over the course of the gradient analysis.
To install the CTC (2-mm) or CTC-1 (4-mm), 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 CTC.
Connect a waste line to the CTC outlet and direct the line to a waste
container.
C.
Flush the CTC.
Use 200 mL of a 10X eluent concentrate of the strongest eluent required by the application at a flow
rate of 2.0 mL/min. Note that with the guard and analytical columns out of line, there is no need for 2-mm flow rate
restrictions.
D. Rinse the CTC with the strongest eluent that will be used during the gradient analysis.
