Chromatography Forum

Hello,

I have a problem with my ICS-90 from Dionex.
I have algua or bacteria developpement in my waste.
I have a increase of conductivity 1µs/cm in 2 weeks and I have a decrease of retention time. I must change column and suppressor every 4 months ! It is very expensive !
Dionex think the problem come from bacteria to go into the system.

Another user think we don't do enough analyse and it's why we must change often the column and suppressor. The apparatus work approximately one day per week. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

What do you think ?
How can I remove bacteria or algua from my system ?

There are many substances that will discourage microbes from growing, but changing the pH is probably the easiest. First, clean the container with soap and hot water. Replace the waste line. Put some sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid in the waste container; the amount is not critical, and you don't need much.

To keep your column between uses store it in eluent: simply take it out of the system, wash any residual eluent out of the fittings and plug it. To keep the suppressor it is important to keep it moist. First plug the eluent in and eluent out ports. Flush the regen out with DI water using a syringe, then connect the regen in and regen out ports with a short loop of tubing. Detailed instructions are on the Dionex CD in the manuals section.