Description:
High performance ion chromatography (HPIC) can facilitate high resolution and high efficiency separations for many analytes of interest but can be adversely affected by the relatively large quantities of mass commonly found in environmental samples. Large separation columns capable of handling mass loadings of 20 50 g total material are needed to allow HPIC separation of environmental-type samples. Currently, pre-packed HPIC columns suitable for analyzing samples at these mass levels are not commercially available. A commercial process could ensure the columns are more consistently and reproducibly prepared rather than the more inconsistent process of preparing these in the laboratory by hand. Columns using both cation exchange resin as well as anion exchange resin are needed. In order to achieve optimal resolution, small particle sizes are desired that complement the capabilities of HPIC. The columns should be able to flow at a rate of 0.5 to 1.2 mL-min at pressures less than 2000 psi to avoid excessive band broadening due to diffusion.
