ION CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A COMBINED SUPPRESSOR AND ELUENT GENERATOR

摘要

Method and apparatus are provided for electrochemically generating an acid or base eluent in an aqueous solution and for simultaneously suppressing conductivity of the eluent in an ion exchange bet (30) after chromatographic separation in an ion chromatography system. The suppressor and eluent generator includes a flow-through suppressor bed (30) of ion-exchange resin, having an inlet (28) and an outlet section (34). An electrode chamber (14) adjacent the suppressor bed inlet section (28) includes a first electrode (17). A barrier (40) separates the suppressor bed (30) from the electrode chamber (14) and prevents significant liquid flow but permits transport of ions only of the same charge as said suppressor bed resin exchangeable ions. A second electrode (32) is in electrical communication with said suppressor outlet section (34). The sample flows through a chromatographic column (26) and then through the suppressor bed (30) to the detector (36). Acid or base generated in the chamber (14) flows to the separator bed (30) and serves as the eluent for chromatographic separation.