Inventors:
Christopher A. Pohl - Hayward CA
Rosanne W. Slingsby - Pleasanton CA
Edward L. Johnson - Milpitas CA
Leilani Angers - Santa Clara CA
Assignee:
Dionex Corporation - Sunnyvale CA
International Classification:
B01D 1508
Abstract:
a method of ion analysis and detection of weakly dissociated anions or cations in an eluent by first separating such ions on a chromatographic separation medium by ion exclusion chromatography or mobile phase ion exclusion chromatography. The eluent include an acid or base with a co-ion of the same charge as the ions to be separated, such co-ions being in the hydronium or hydroxide form. In one embodiment the effluent from the separation medium is contacted with one side of an ion-exchange membrane having exchangeable ions of opposite charge to the ionic species. The opposite side of the membrane includes a regenerant with salt-forming suppression ions capable of forming a weakly conducting salt with the co-ions. Then the separated ionic species are detected preferably by a conductivity detector. In another embodiment, the membrane is replaced by a resin bed with ion-exchanging sites of opposite charge to the co-ions.