Ailun YC988 Portable Ion Chromatograph
| Brand | Ailun General / Qingdao Ailun |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Regional Classification | Domestic (China) |
| Model | YC988 |
| Instrument Type | Portable |
| Application Scope | General-purpose |
| Pump Pressure Range | 0–25 MPa |
| Flow Rate Range | 0.001–9.999 mL/min |
| Eluent Flow Rate (Typical) | 1.5 mL/min |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 25 MPa |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0–35 °C |
| Temperature Reproducibility | ±10 °C |
| Eluent Concentration Range | 0.1–60 mM |
Overview
The Ailun YC988 Portable Ion Chromatograph is a field-deployable analytical instrument engineered for high-precision anion and cation determination in environmental, industrial, and regulatory laboratory settings. It operates on the principle of suppressed conductivity detection following ion-exchange separation—utilizing high-efficiency, low-capacity analytical columns to resolve common inorganic ions (e.g., Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺) in aqueous matrices. Designed specifically for mobility without compromise, the YC988 integrates miniaturized high-pressure fluidics, thermal stabilization architecture, and intelligent power management to support extended battery-powered operation in remote or resource-limited environments—including wastewater monitoring stations, soil leachate field labs, emergency response units, and mobile QA/QC teams. Its modular construction enables rapid setup and calibration verification under variable ambient conditions while maintaining chromatographic resolution and quantitative repeatability consistent with ISO 10304-1:2012 and ASTM D4327 standards.
Key Features
- Miniaturized High-Pressure Constant-Flow Pump: Incorporates cam-driven dual-piston design with active pulse damping, delivering stable flow across the full 0.001–9.999 mL/min range at pressures up to 25 MPa; optimized for low power consumption and mechanical robustness in vibration-prone transport.
- Intelligent Post-Valve Thermal Management System: Actively regulates temperature of the separation column, suppressor, and detector cell within ±10 °C across 0–35 °C ambient conditions—ensuring retention time stability and peak shape fidelity during extended field deployments.
- Automated System Maintenance Protocol: Includes real-time piston seal rinsing during high-salt eluent operation (up to 60 mM), programmable post-run column flushing sequences, and configurable idle-state power-down cycles to extend pump lifetime and reduce manual intervention.
- Integrated Power Architecture: Supports dual-mode operation—AC mains input (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz) and internal rechargeable Li-ion battery pack—with intelligent load balancing and low-power sleep states enabling >8 hours of continuous analysis on a single charge.
- Compact Modular Chassis: All critical components—including eluent reservoir, gradient mixer (if equipped), injection valve, column oven, conductivity detector, and data acquisition module—are housed in a ruggedized, IP54-rated enclosure weighing <12 kg and dimensioned for airline carry-on compliance.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The YC988 accepts aqueous samples with total dissolved solids (TDS) ≤500 mg/L and particulate content <0.45 µm (pre-filtered). It supports standard IC-compatible eluents including carbonate/bicarbonate, methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and potassium hydroxide gradients. The system complies with key regulatory frameworks for field-deployable instrumentation: data integrity features align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records (audit trail, user authentication, and result immutability); hardware design adheres to IEC 61010-1 safety standards for portable analytical equipment; and method validation protocols are compatible with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation criteria for testing laboratories.
Software & Data Management
Controlled via Ailun IC-Link v3.2 desktop software (Windows 10/11), the YC988 provides real-time chromatogram visualization, peak integration using tangent skim and Gaussian deconvolution algorithms, customizable reporting templates (PDF/CSV/XLSX), and automated calibration curve generation with weighted linear regression. Raw data files include embedded metadata (instrument ID, operator, date/time stamp, method parameters, and environmental sensor logs). Audit trail functionality records all user actions—including method edits, integration changes, and report exports—with timestamped, non-erasable entries. Data export supports LIMS integration via ASTM E1384-compliant HL7 or CSV batch transfer.
Applications
- Environmental Monitoring: Quantification of regulated anions in surface water, groundwater, and precipitation per EPA Method 300.0 and ISO 10304-3.
- Industrial Process Control: Real-time tracking of chloride, sulfate, and nitrate in boiler feedwater, semiconductor rinse effluents, and electroplating baths.
- Food & Beverage Safety: Detection of preservative anions (e.g., benzoate, sorbate) and counterions in dairy, beverages, and infant formula extracts.
- Emergency Response: Rapid identification of ionic contaminants (e.g., fluoride, arsenite, perchlorate) in disaster-affected water supplies.
- Educational & Field Training: Self-contained platform for teaching IC fundamentals, method development, and GLP-aligned data handling practices.
FAQ
What is the typical runtime on battery power?
With continuous analysis at 1.5 mL/min and ambient temperature of 25 °C, the integrated Li-ion battery supports ≥8 hours of operation. Runtime scales inversely with flow rate, detector gain, and column oven setpoint.
Does the YC988 support gradient elution?
Yes—the system accommodates binary gradient mixing via optional integrated low-dead-volume proportioning valve, compatible with KOH/MSA and carbonate-based gradient methods.
Is method transfer possible from benchtop IC systems?
Retention time alignment and quantitation accuracy are maintained when transferring validated isocratic methods; gradient methods require re-optimization due to differences in dwell volume and pump dynamics.
How is data integrity ensured during offline field use?
All acquired chromatograms and processed results are stored locally in encrypted SQLite databases with SHA-256 hash logging; synchronization to central servers occurs automatically upon network reconnection, preserving chronological audit integrity.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for field operation?
Piston seals and check valves require inspection every 500 operational hours; suppressor cartridges are rated for ≥2,000 injections under standard eluent conditions; annual calibration verification against NIST-traceable ionic standards is advised for regulatory applications.
