Dionex ICS-1000 Used Ion Chromatography System

Overview

The Dionex ICS-1000 is a benchtop ion chromatography (IC) system engineered for isocratic elution and high-fidelity conductivity detection of common anions and cations in aqueous matrices. Designed around the core principles of suppressed conductivity detection, the ICS-1000 integrates a dual-piston reciprocating pump, a thermostatically stabilized conductivity detector, and Dionex’s proprietary SRS (Self-Regenerating Suppressor) micro-membrane suppressor technology. This architecture enables baseline stability, low detection limits (sub-ppb for chloride and fluoride under optimized conditions), and consistent retention time reproducibility across extended run sequences. As a legacy platform widely adopted in environmental, municipal water, and industrial effluent laboratories, the ICS-1000 remains compatible with all Dionex anion-exchange columns (e.g., AS11-HC, AS14A) and cation-exchange columns (e.g., CS12A, CS16), supporting both EPA Method 300.0/300.1 and ISO 10304-1 compliant workflows.

Key Features

• Isocratic pump system with programmable flow control from 0.00 to 5.00 mL/min in 0.01 mL/min increments — suitable for method transfer and column screening
• Dual-piston high-pressure pump capable of sustained operation up to 5000 psi, ensuring compatibility with sub-2-µm particle-packed columns and high-backpressure guard cartridges
• Digitally calibrated conductivity detector with linear response over 0–15,000 µS range and temperature-compensated cell design for improved inter-day precision
• Integrated SRS suppressor (model SRS 300 or equivalent) enabling chemical suppression without external regenerant solutions — reduces background conductivity and enhances signal-to-noise ratio
• Front-panel LCD interface with real-time pressure monitoring, flow verification, and error logging — supports standalone operation without PC dependency
• Pre-validated hardware configuration including AS40 autosampler with 100-position vial capacity, refrigerated tray option, and programmable injection volume (1–100 µL)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICS-1000 is routinely deployed for the quantitative determination of F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻, Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ in drinking water, surface water, wastewater, and acid-digested extracts. Its performance aligns with U.S. EPA Methods 300.0 (anions) and 300.1 (cations), as well as ISO 10304-1:2012 (determination of dissolved anions by liquid chromatography). All refurbished units undergo full functional verification per SpectraLab Scientific’s internal QA protocol: pressure integrity testing at 4500 psi for ≥30 min, detector noise/amplification calibration using KCl standards, suppressor efficiency validation via blank eluent conductivity reduction (>95%), and retention time stability assessment across five consecutive injections of multi-ion standard. Units are delivered with a Certificate of Operational Verification and compliance summary documentation.

Software & Data Management

While the ICS-1000 console operates independently, it is fully compatible with Chromeleon 6.8 and later versions (including Chromeleon 7.2.1 CDS) for method development, sequence definition, peak integration, and audit-trail-enabled reporting. The system supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant user access controls when deployed with appropriate server infrastructure and electronic signature modules. Raw data files (.chm, .chr) are natively exportable in ASCII format for third-party statistical analysis or LIMS integration. SpectraLab provides optional post-delivery software installation support and instrument qualification packages (IQ/OQ) upon request.

Applications

• Regulatory compliance monitoring of anions in municipal drinking water per WHO and EU Directive 98/83/EC
• Process water analysis in pharmaceutical manufacturing (USP , EP 2.2.38)
• Corrosion inhibitor quantification (e.g., nitrite, molybdate) in closed-loop cooling systems
• Leachate characterization from landfill monitoring wells
• Quality control of high-purity reagents and semiconductor-grade process chemicals
• Educational use in analytical chemistry laboratories for fundamental IC methodology instruction

FAQ

Is this unit fully refurbished or simply tested used equipment?
This ICS-1000 system is classified as “tested and verified pre-owned”: all critical subsystems (pump, detector, suppressor, autosampler) have undergone functional validation; consumables such as seals, frits, and suppressor membranes are replaced where applicable; no cosmetic refurbishment or PCB-level repair is performed.
Does the 6-month warranty cover parts, labor, and on-site service?
The warranty covers parts and labor for defects in materials or workmanship under normal laboratory use. On-site service is available within North America and Europe; international customers receive remote diagnostics and express component replacement.
Can the system be upgraded to gradient elution capability?
No — the ICS-1000 is a fixed-isocratic platform. Gradient functionality requires hardware-level redesign (e.g., ICS-2000 or ICS-5000+ platforms) and is not retrofittable.
What documentation is included with shipment?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Operational Verification, complete set of original manuals (English), suppressor maintenance log, and calibration records for detector and pump flow accuracy.
Are spare columns, eluents, or suppressor cartridges available for immediate order?
Yes — SpectraLab maintains inventory of Dionex AS11-HC, AS14A, CS12A, and SRS 300 suppressor cartridges, along with certified eluent concentrates and filtration accessories.