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IC High Conductivity Troubleshoot
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 4:13 am
by ICPerson
Can anyone explain whats going on when my baseline conductivity is roughly 3 times what it's supposed to be?
I am questioning whether the suppressor might be malfunctioning. Would it be as simple as replacing it? Also is there any way to refurbish an IC suppressor?
Re: IC High Conductivity Troubleshoot
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 4:40 am
by Markus Laeubli, Metrohm
Dear icperson
Please add a few more information like suppressor type, expected background conductivity, eluent composition etc.
Re: IC High Conductivity Troubleshoot
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 6:32 pm
by BostonFSE
replace with fresh clean water, do not top off the bottle! clean bottle. remove column, monitor baseline conductivity with union only. If still high, replace suppressor (cannot be refurbished)
the suppressor is the heart of your system
Re: IC High Conductivity Troubleshoot
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 11:15 pm
by ICPerson
Thanks for your replies.
I'm running a Dionex AERS 500 suppressor, with sodium carbonate as the mobile phase. The expected conductivity is approx. 9-12us and I'm getting closer to 25us.
Today I'll try removing the column. I've just taken over this instrument and I believe that in the past it's often been left for months without upkeep, is there a chance the column is full of salt and that's what's causing the problems?