title: Autonomous, waste-free eluent generation and suppression in a single device: electrodialytic eluent reflux for ion chromatography.
abstract: Eluent reflux provides a new approach to suppress and reflux (recover) eluent without the continuous generation of chromatographic waste. The current work utilized a device containing ion exchange membranes at the electrodes, in order to prohibit electrolysis gases from entering the eluent stream. Two resin beds (separated by a membrane stack) were responsible for suppressing incoming eluent and regenerating the suppressed eluent to nearly its original concentration after detection. A greater than expected dilution in the eluent concentration was observed as a result of the minor leakage of potassium ions through the anion membrane stack into the electrode chamber. The incomplete recovery of the eluent was offset by the addition of a three port valve (DRV) to regulate eluent concentration. Over 48 h of continuous operation (192 injections), the device's performance was stable (RSD of 0.21% with the three port valve, compared to RSD 3.73% without). The device was able to operate for up to four weeks using 1L of eluent. Chromatograms showing the reproducibility of the device are presented for anions.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Institute for Plant and Environmental Science, 1432 Ås, Norway. Electronic address: kyle.elkin@umb.no.
authors.forename: Kyle R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Elkin
authors.affiliation: Trovion Company, Campbell, CA 95008, United States *Corresponding author. E-mail address: kyle.elkin@umb.no(K.R. Elkin).
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Riviello
keywords: Electrodialytic; Eluent generation; Eluent reflux; Eluent suppression; Ion chromatography