Skyray Instrument TIC-600 Laboratory Ion Chromatograph
| Brand | Skyray Instrument |
|---|---|
| Origin | Jiangsu, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Category | Domestic |
| Model | TIC-600 |
| Price Range | USD 14,000 – 28,000 |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop Laboratory System |
| Maximum Pump Pressure | 42 MPa |
| Flow Rate Range | 0–10 mL/min |
| Eluent Flow Rate Range | 0–10 mL/min |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 42 MPa |
| Operating Temperature Range | 5–60 °C |
| Temperature Stability | ≤ 0.2 °C/h |
| Eluent Concentration Range | 0–40 mmol/L (Na₂CO₃/NaHCO₃) |
Overview
The Skyray Instrument TIC-600 is a high-performance benchtop ion chromatograph engineered for precise, reproducible separation and quantitative analysis of anions and cations in complex aqueous matrices. Based on suppressed conductivity detection coupled with gradient or isocratic elution, the system employs high-pressure liquid chromatography principles optimized specifically for ionic species. Its modular architecture integrates a dual-piston high-pressure pump, PEEK-based fluidic path, electrochemical suppression, and digitally temperature-controlled conductivity detection — all calibrated to meet routine analytical demands in regulated and research environments. Designed for stability under extended operation, the TIC-600 supports method development, validation, and routine QC/QA workflows across environmental, food safety, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and life science laboratories.
Key Features
- High-pressure dual-piston reciprocating pump with chemically resistant ceramic plungers, delivering stable flow from 0.01 to 10.00 mL/min at up to 42 MPa — compatible with aggressive eluents including carbonate/bicarbonate buffers and 100% organic modifiers (e.g., methanol, acetonitrile).
- Full PEEK (polyether ether ketone) fluidic pathway — inert to strong acids, bases, and oxidants; eliminates metal leaching and ensures baseline stability during long-term operation.
- Automated continuous membrane-based electrolytic suppressor with high-capacity regeneration (no chemical regenerant required), enabling low background conductivity (< 1 µS/cm) and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio for trace-level anion detection (sub-ppb Cl⁻ achievable with optimized conditions).
- Digital temperature-controlled conductivity detector with active thermal management (±0.05 °C setpoint accuracy), achieving < 0.2 °C/h drift over 8-hour runs — critical for retention time reproducibility and quantitative precision per ISO 10301 and ASTM D4327 requirements.
- Integrated six-port high-pressure switching valve for automated column selection, guard column bypass, or inline dilution — supporting method flexibility without manual intervention.
- Embedded microprocessor control with Ethernet and USB interfaces; remote instrument status monitoring and parameter adjustment via PC-based software.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TIC-600 accommodates a broad range of sample types after appropriate pretreatment (e.g., filtration, dilution, matrix elimination): drinking water, wastewater, soil extracts, food digests (AOAC 999.10, EPA Method 300.1), biological fluids (urine, serum), and industrial process streams. Its hardware and software architecture support compliance with key regulatory frameworks including EPA Methods 300.0, 300.1, and 317.0; ISO 10301 (water quality — determination of anions); and EU Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (contaminants in food). When configured with audit-trail-enabled software and electronic signatures, the system meets GLP and GMP documentation requirements aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 expectations for data integrity.
Software & Data Management
The TIC-600 operates with SkyChrom™ — a Windows-based chromatography data system offering full bidirectional instrument control (including pump gradient programming, oven temperature ramping, detector gain tuning, and auto-sampler sequencing). The software supports multi-channel acquisition (up to 4 simultaneous detectors), peak integration using ISO-compliant algorithms (tangent skim, valley-to-valley), calibration curve generation (linear, quadratic, or weighted), and customizable report templates compliant with LIMS export formats (CSV, XML, PDF/A-1b). All method files, raw data (.skd), and audit logs are stored with immutable timestamps and user authentication; revision history and electronic signature capture are configurable to satisfy ALCOA+ data governance criteria.
Applications
- Environmental Monitoring: Quantification of F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻, and AsO₄³⁻ in surface water, groundwater, and effluent per EPA and ISO protocols.
- Food & Beverage Safety: Detection of preservative anions (benzoate, sorbate), nitrate/nitrite in cured meats, iodide in dairy, and phosphate additives in soft drinks — aligned with Codex Alimentarius and national MRLs.
- Pharmaceutical Quality Control: Residual counterion analysis (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, acetate) in APIs and excipients; sulfate testing in heparin sodium per USP <231>.
- Petrochemical & Battery Electrolyte Analysis: Trace halides and sulfate in hydrocarbon solvents, lithium salt solutions (LiPF₆), and fuel cell membranes.
- Biochemical Research: Separation of low-molecular-weight organic acids (acetate, lactate, citrate) and amino acid zwitterions using cation-exchange columns and pulsed amperometric detection (optional add-on).
FAQ
Does the TIC-600 support gradient elution?
Yes — the dual-pump configuration enables binary or ternary gradient formation using compatible eluents (e.g., Na₂CO₃/NaHCO₃ mixtures with controlled pH and ionic strength).
What column chemistries are compatible with this system?
Standard 4 × 250 mm or 2 × 150 mm analytical columns with sulfonated polystyrene-divinylbenzene (for cations) or functionalized ethylvinylbenzene (for anions), including those from Metrohm, Thermo Fisher, and Shodex — provided they are rated for ≤ 42 MPa and ≥ 60 °C.
Is the suppressor cartridge replaceable in the field?
Yes — the membrane suppressor module is user-serviceable with standard tools; typical service life exceeds 2,000 injections under normal operating conditions.
Can the system be integrated into a laboratory network with centralized data archiving?
Yes — SkyChrom™ supports UNC path mapping, SQL database logging (via ODBC), and scheduled FTP/SFTP uploads to enterprise storage systems.
Does the instrument comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards for laboratory use?
Yes — certified to IEC 61326-1:2013 (industrial environment), including immunity to electrostatic discharge (ESD), radiated RF fields, and fast transients.
