Dionex ICS-2000 Used Ion Chromatography System

Overview

The Dionex ICS-2000 is a high-performance, benchtop ion chromatography (IC) system engineered for precision anion and cation analysis in environmental, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and industrial quality control laboratories. Designed around electrolytically generated eluents and suppressed conductivity detection, the ICS-2000 eliminates the need for manual eluent preparation and significantly reduces baseline drift and background conductivity—enabling reproducible, low-noise quantification across diverse ionic matrices. Its core architecture integrates a dual-piston reciprocating PEEK pump with chemical inertness across pH 0–14, a thermally stabilized conductivity detector cell (<0.01°C stability), and an integrated column heater (ambient +5°C to 60°C). The system supports both isocratic and gradient separations via its on-demand eluent generation module (EGM), which produces hydroxide (for anions) or methanesulfonic acid (for cations) from deionized water—ensuring batch-to-batch consistency and compliance with ISO 10304-1, ASTM D4327, and USP . As a pre-owned instrument with documented service history and verified operational integrity, the ICS-2000 delivers laboratory-grade performance at a substantiated value point for budget-conscious institutions requiring validated IC capability.

Key Features

• Dual-piston PEEK pump with microprocessor-controlled stroke volume and variable speed operation—capable of precise flow delivery from 0.05 to 5.0 mL/min (±0.1% accuracy, <0.1% RSD)
• Electrolytic Eluent Generator (EGM) producing KOH (0.1–100 mM) or MSA eluents on-demand; compatible with 25% methanol for organic-modified anion separations
• Thermostatted conductivity detector featuring a <1 µL cell volume, passive thermal mass design, and temperature compensation fixed at 1.7%/°C
• Integrated column oven with ±1°C stability over 40°C setpoint—critical for retention time reproducibility in regulated environments
• Front-panel LCD touchscreen interface with real-time pressure, flow, and temperature monitoring—fully operable without PC connection
• Support for Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ 7.2 or later (including 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trail and electronic signature modules)
• Modular suppressor power supply supporting both AESR (0–150 mA) and SRS (0–500 mA) configurations for optimal background suppression across matrix types

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICS-2000 accommodates aqueous samples containing inorganic anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻), cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺), organic acids (acetate, formate), amino acids, carbohydrates, and small polar molecules—provided they are soluble in water or water/methanol mixtures. Sample introduction is compatible with standard 10–100 µL loop injectors and autosamplers (e.g., AS-DV or ASE-350). The system meets essential regulatory requirements for routine QC workflows: it operates within GLP/GMP-aligned validation frameworks when paired with Chromeleon’s secure user management, method locking, and raw data integrity controls. All hardware components—including PEEK fluidic paths, titanium fittings, and polymer-based detector cells—are certified chemically inert per ASTM F2219 for contact with aggressive eluents and biological extracts.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are performed exclusively via Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ Chromatography Data System (CDS) v7.2 or higher. Chromeleon provides full instrument control (pump, EGM, detector, oven, suppressor), sequence management, peak integration with customizable baselines, and report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation standards. Audit trails record all method edits, injection events, calibration updates, and user logins with timestamps and operator IDs. Electronic signatures adhere to FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when configured with Windows domain authentication and digital certificate binding. Raw data files (.cdf) are stored in vendor-neutral format and exportable to CSV, PDF, or LIMS-compatible XML schemas. Remote diagnostics and firmware updates are supported via secure HTTPS channel—no direct internet exposure required.

Applications

• Environmental monitoring: Quantification of nitrate, sulfate, and chloride in drinking water per EPA Method 300.0 and ISO 10304-1
• Pharmaceutical excipient testing: Detection of residual acetate and chloride in APIs under ICH Q2(R2) validation guidelines
• Food safety: Simultaneous determination of iodide, thiocyanate, and perchlorate in dairy and infant formula matrices
• Battery electrolyte analysis: Trace fluoride and sulfate impurities in LiPF₆ solutions using hydroxide gradient elution
• Bioprocessing: Monitoring of phosphate and ammonium in cell culture media and purification buffers
• Academic research: High-resolution separation of mono- and disaccharides using alkali-gradient IC with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) capability via optional detector upgrade

FAQ

Is this ICS-2000 unit fully refurbished and performance-verified?
Yes. Each unit undergoes a standardized refurbishment protocol including pump seal replacement, detector cell cleaning and calibration, EGM performance validation, and full system pressure/leak testing. A Certificate of Operational Verification (COV) with baseline noise, retention time RSD, and sensitivity data is provided.
Does the system include Chromeleon software and license?
The instrument ships with Chromeleon 7.2.10 (or later) installation media and a perpetual node-locked license valid for one workstation. Optional multi-user or network licenses are available separately.
What maintenance documentation accompanies the instrument?
Full service history—including prior PM logs, component replacement records, and most recent calibration certificates—is delivered digitally prior to shipment.
Can the ICS-2000 be upgraded to support advanced detection modes?
Yes. The platform supports field-installable upgrades to UV/Vis absorbance detection (via optional flow cell) and pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) for carbohydrate and amino acid analysis.
Is technical support available post-purchase?
We provide 6 months of remote application and troubleshooting support, plus access to Thermo Fisher’s global service network for extended warranty or on-site engineer dispatch.