Ion Source Recycle Module for Contaminant-Free Eluent Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation of high-purity chromatographic eluents in ion chromatography is prone to contamination and operator errors, particularly with dilute NaOH solutions, which can lead to compromised performance and irreproducible retention times due to the introduction of carbonate impurities.
Innovation Solution
An electrolytic eluent generator system with an ion source and recycle module that uses electrolysis of water and charge-selective electromigration through ion-exchange media to generate high-purity eluents, including the use of a perforated electrode and power supply to drive current for counter ion movement, effectively recycling and purifying eluent ions like potassium and methanesulfonate ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dilute NaOH solutions are prepared off-line by dilution with reagent-grade chemicals, then the preparation process is simple and quick, but the eluent becomes contaminated with carbonate impurities leading to compromised performance and irreproducible retention times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual off-line preparation process with an automated electrolytic generation system. The electrolytic eluent generator uses electrical current to generate high-purity NaOH eluent in-situ, eliminating manual dilution operations that introduce carbonate contamination while ensuring consistent, contaminant-free eluent supply for reliable chromatographic performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by generating the eluent automatically through electrolysis of water in the eluent generator. The device continuously produces high-purity eluent without requiring operator intervention for preparation, thereby preventing carbonate contamination from both reagents and air exposure while maintaining consistent chromatographic performance
2Reliability
If electrolytic devices are used to generate high-purity eluents on-line, then contaminant-free acid or base solutions are automatically produced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the eluent generation function directly into the ion chromatography system by integrating the electrolytic eluent generator with the existing pump and column architecture. This consolidation allows the system to produce high-purity eluent in-situ without requiring separate, complex external preparation equipment, thereby achieving contaminant-free eluents while managing device complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolytic eluent generator is designed to be versatile, capable of generating multiple types of eluents (acids, bases, and salts) by simply changing the electrolyte solution used in the generation chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining high-purity eluent production across different chromatographic applications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system ensures continuous, contaminant-free generation of eluents, reducing operator errors and maintaining chromatographic performance by recycling and purifying eluent ions, thereby minimizing baseline drift and ensuring reproducible retention times.
Implementation Method 1
several approaches that utilize the electrolysis of water and charge-selective electromigration of ions through ion-exchange media have been investigated by researchers to purify or generate high-purity ion chromatographic eluents
Implementation Method 2
utilize the electrolysis of water and charge-selective electromigration of ions through ion-exchange media
Data Source
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AI summary
An ion source and ion recycle module includes an electrolyte reservoir, an eluent recovery chamber, and an ion exchange connector. The electrolyte reservoir includes a chamber containing an aqueous electrolyte solution including an electrolyte having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, and a first electrode. The chamber inlet is fluidically connected to a source chamber of an electrolytic eluent generator and configured to receive depleted electrolyte solution from the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator. The chamber outlet is fluidically connected to the source chamber of the electrolytic eluent generator and configured to provide recycled electrolyte solution to the electrolytic eluent generator source chamber. The eluent recovery chamber including a second electrode and configured to receive an eluent solution including eluent counter ions from the eluent generator; and the ion exchange connector including an ion exchange membrane stack.