Abstract: An electrolyitic suppressor including (a) a suppressor bed of ion exchange resin, (b) an electrode chamber adjacent the suppressor, (c) a first electrode in the electrode chamber, (d) a barrier separating the suppressor bed from the first electrode chamber preventing significant liquid flow but permitting transport of ions only of the same charge as the suppressor bed resin, (e) a second electrode in electrical communication with the resin bed, and (f) a recycle conduit between the suppressor outlet port and said electrode chamber. The second electrode may be in contact with the ion exchange resin in the suppressor or located in second electrode chamber.

Abstract: An electrolyitic suppressor including (a) a suppressor bed of ion exchange resin, (b) an electrode chamber adjacent the suppressor, (c) a first electrode in the electrode chamber, (d) a barrier separating the suppressor bed from the first electrode chamber preventing significant liquid flow but permitting transport of ions only of the same charge as the suppressor bed resin, (e) a second electrode in electrical communication with the resin bed, and (f) a recycle conduit between the suppressor outlet port and said electrode chamber. The second electrode may be in contact with the ion exchange resin in the suppressor or located in second electrode chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for electrolytically generating an acid or base eluent in an aqueous solution and for simultaneously suppressing conductivity of the eluent in an ion exchange bed after chromatographic separation in an ion chromatography system.

Abstract: An ion chromatographic apparatus and method for on-column preconcentration of trace ionic contaminants for quantitative trace analysis by ion chromatography. The method includes the multi-cycle, sequential steps of loading and purging of sample solution into and out of a sample injection loop to cumulatively preconcentrate a separator column with a cumulative amount of sample. Each purging step includes directing pressurized liquid, at a substantially constant rate and for a predetermined period of time to the sample injection loop, to drive up to about 98% of the known volume of the sample solution from the sample injection loop. In turn, this flushed volume of sample solution passes through an ion exchange resin column for concentration of the trace ionic contaminants in the resin.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ion chromatography including passage of sample through a chromatographic separation column, through a suppressor column containing a resin with exchangeable ions, and then through a detector. The suppressor column is equipped with an electrical potential supplying device to electrolyze water and regenerate the suppressor column.

Abstract: An ion chromatographic apparatus and method for on-column preconcentration of trace ionic contaminants for quantitative trace analysis by ion chromatography. The method includes the multi-cycle, sequential steps of loading and purging of sample solution into and out of a sample injection loop to cumulatively preconcentrate a separator column with a cumulative amount of sample. Each purging step includes directing pressurized liquid, at a substantially constant rate and for a predetermined period of time to the sample injection loop, to drive up to about 98% of the known volume of the sample solution from the sample injection loop. In turn, this flushed volume of sample solution passes through an ion exchange resin column for concentration of the trace ionic contaminants in the resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ion analysis by ion chromatography uses periodic electrolytic regeneration of a packed bed suppressor. First and second sets of columns, suppressors and detectors connected in series are linked by appropriate valving so that the effluent from the second suppressor can be passed to the first suppressor to be used in the electrolytic regeneration of the first suppressor after detection of analyte in the second detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using suppression of eluents for the analysis of anions or cations in ion chromatography. The invention relates to the intermittent use of the electric field during electrochemical suppression to minimize background noise during detection of the ionic species caused by the application of an electric field using an electrolytic membrane suppressor. Using this intermittent electrochemical suppression system allows the detection of the analyte in the absence of the electric field. The system finds particular benefit in reducing background noise created during electrochemical suppression, and in reducing the baseline interference when analyzing organic solvent-containing samples.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a target analyte in solution is detected by exposing the solution to an electrode that includes a conducting electroactive polymer to which a periodic alternating voltage is coupled. Upon exposure to the analyte, an electrode characteristic is varied, which variation is detected by measuring electrode current as a function of time and as a function of the periodic alternating voltage. The alternating voltage waveform has an oxidizing time period and a reduction time period, which periods and waveform duty cycle may be controlled to enhance electrode sensitivity, selectivity, and to substantially eliminate electrode fouling and data hysteresis. In a second embodiment, a receptor is bound to the electrode, to which is coupled an alternating voltage waveform that permits a mating target substance to reversibly bind to the receptor such that measurement of electrode current provides a measure of such reversible binding.

Abstract: A system is provided for the detection of transition elements and/or rare earth elements in an aqueous sample which also contains high concentrations of alkali and alkaline earth metals. The system is effective for determination of transition elements and/or rare earth elements in sea water, industrial waste streams, biological fluids and biological issue samples.

Abstract: A method for the detection of trace transition elements and rare earth elements in a sample also containing alkali metals or alkaline earth elements. The sample is flowed through a chelator column which retains the transition elements and rare earth elements. Then a first eluent (e.g. ammonium acetate) is passed through the column to strip the alkali and alkaline earth metals retained on the column. Then a second eluent (e.g. a strong acid) is passed through the chelator column to remove the transition elements in a chelator effluent which flows through an ion exchange resin concentrator to retain only the transition elements and rare earth elements. Then, a chelator complexing agent (e.g. pyridine-2,6 dicarboxylic acid or an oxalate) flows through the concentrator column to remove the transition elements and rare earth elements.