Dionex ICS-1000 Used Ion Chromatography System

Overview

The Dionex ICS-1000 is a benchtop ion chromatography (IC) system engineered for high-reproducibility, isocratic elution analysis of common anions and cations in environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, and public health laboratories. It operates on the principle of suppressed conductivity detection following ion-exchange separation—where analyte ions are resolved on high-capacity, chemically stable anion- or cation-exchange columns, then detected with exceptional sensitivity after suppression of the background eluent conductivity. The system integrates a dual-piston, PEEK-based isocratic pump, a digital conductivity detector with temperature-stabilized flow cell (<0.01 °C stability), and Thermo Fisher Scientific’s proprietary SRS (Self-Regenerating Suppressor) or AES (AutoSuppression Electrolytic Suppressor) technology—enabling trace-level quantification (sub-ppb detection limits for chloride, nitrate, fluoride, sodium, ammonium, etc.) without manual suppressor regeneration or chemical waste generation.

Key Features

• Isocratic pump system with microprocessor-controlled stroke volume and variable speed; delivers precise flow rates from 0.00 to 5.00 mL/min in 0.01 mL/min increments, with flow accuracy <±1.0% and precision <±0.1%
• Chemically inert PEEK fluidic path compatible with pH 0–14 aqueous solutions and organic modifiers (e.g., methanol, acetonitrile)
• Digital conductivity detector operating at 100 Hz sampling frequency, 0.00238 nS resolution, and full-scale output range of 0–15,000 µS; includes automatic temperature compensation and thermally stabilized cell (ambient +7 °C to 55 °C)
• Integrated SRS or AES electrolytic suppressors: SRS supports up to 500 mA (1 mA step), AES up to 150 mA; anion suppressor capacity ≥110 µeq/min, cation suppressor ≥220 µeq/min
• Onboard leak detection via optical sensor; pressure monitoring with programmable high/low alarms (max pump pressure: 35 MPa / 5000 psi; max detector cell pressure: 10 MPa / 1500 psi)
• Full system control via Chromeleon™ 7.2 or later software through USB interface; supports audit trail, user access levels, and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures when configured per GLP/GMP requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICS-1000 accommodates standard Dionex anion-exchange columns (e.g., AS11-HC, AS18) and cation-exchange columns (e.g., CS12A, CS16), enabling routine analysis of inorganic anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻), low-molecular-weight organic acids (acetate, formate), and common cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺). It meets method requirements specified in China’s *Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water* (Ministry of Health, 2001), and is routinely validated against ASTM D4327 (anions in water), ISO 10304-1 (determination of dissolved anions), and USP (conductivity of purified water). Its hardware architecture and software logging capabilities support laboratory compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation criteria and FDA-regulated environments where data integrity and instrument qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) are required.

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are performed exclusively via Thermo Fisher Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS) software (v7.2 or higher). The software provides sequence scheduling, real-time chromatogram display, peak integration with customizable baselines and retention time windows, calibration curve generation (linear, quadratic, or weighted), and report templates compliant with internal QA protocols. Audit trail functionality records all user actions—including method edits, injection events, and result modifications—with timestamps and operator IDs. When deployed in regulated environments, Chromeleon can be configured to meet 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, including electronic signature enforcement, role-based permissions, and immutable raw data storage.

Applications

The ICS-1000 is routinely deployed in municipal drinking water testing laboratories for routine compliance monitoring of regulated ions; in environmental agencies for surface water, wastewater, and soil leachate analysis; in food and beverage quality control labs for nitrate/nitrite in processed meats or sulfate in beverages; and in clinical research settings for urinary electrolyte profiling. Its robustness, low maintenance demand, and compatibility with legacy Dionex column chemistries make it particularly valuable for laboratories maintaining continuity with historical methods or transitioning from older IC platforms without revalidating entire analytical workflows.

FAQ

Is this unit refurbished or certified pre-owned?
This ICS-1000 is a professionally inspected, functionally verified used system. It undergoes comprehensive operational testing—including baseline noise assessment, pressure stability verification, conductivity detector linearity check, and suppressor efficiency validation—prior to shipment. Full service history and calibration logs (where available) are provided.
Does it include Chromeleon software and license?
A valid Chromeleon CDS license is required for operation. The system may be supplied with a time-limited evaluation license; permanent licensing must be procured directly from Thermo Fisher Scientific or an authorized reseller.
Are original columns, suppressors, or consumables included?
No consumables are included by default. Compatible Dionex columns (e.g., AS11-HC, CS12A), SRS-ULTRA or AES suppressors, and eluent generators (e.g., EG40) can be sourced separately and are fully supported.
What documentation accompanies the instrument?
Standard delivery includes the original hardware manual, safety guide, and firmware version record. Method transfer documents and IQ/OQ protocol templates are available upon request for qualified laboratories.
Is technical support available post-purchase?
Yes—remote diagnostics and application support are offered through our global network of IC-specialized engineers. On-site service contracts and extended warranty options are available for eligible regions.