Dionex ICS-900 Refurbished Ion Chromatograph

Overview

The Dionex ICS-900 Refurbished Ion Chromatograph is a benchtop analytical system engineered for high-reproducibility, routine anion and cation analysis in environmental, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and industrial quality control laboratories. Built upon the foundational architecture of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s legacy Dionex platform, this refurbished instrument employs suppressed conductivity detection with dual-piston isocratic pumping and advanced micro-membrane suppression technology. It operates on the principle of ion exchange chromatography, where analyte ions are separated on high-capacity, low-backpressure ion-exchange columns (e.g., AS-11/AG-11 for anions; CS-12/CG-12 for cations), followed by post-column chemical or electrolytic suppression to reduce eluent background conductivity and enhance analyte signal-to-noise ratio. The system is fully compliant with ASTM D4327, ISO 14911, USP , and EPA Methods 300.0, 300.1, and 317.1 for drinking water and wastewater analysis.

Key Features

• Dual-piston, PEEK-fluidic isocratic pump delivering precise flow control from 0.00 to 5.00 mL/min in 0.01 mL/min increments, with flow accuracy <0.1% and pressure stability <1% RSD
• Digital conductivity detector featuring temperature-controlled dual-pulse cell (stability ±0.01 °C), 0–10,000 µS/cm range, 0.0047 nS/cm resolution, and <5 nS/h electronic drift at full scale
• Triple-mode suppressor compatibility—electrolytic self-regenerating (AERS 300), electrolytic external water-supplied, and chemical suppression—enabling universal application for both anions and cations without consumable pumps or tubing
• USB 2.0 high-speed interface replacing legacy RS-232; supports automatic peripheral recognition, real-time parameter monitoring, and seamless integration with LIMS environments
• Thermostatically controlled column compartment (30–60 °C) with ±0.2 °C reproducibility, ensuring retention time stability across multi-day sequences
• Full-PEEK fluidic path—including Rheodyne electrically actuated 6-port valve and inert 316 stainless steel conductivity cell electrodes—ensuring compatibility with methanesulfonic acid (MSA), KOH, NaOH, and carbonate/bicarbonate eluents

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICS-900 accommodates aqueous samples containing inorganic anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻), cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺), organic acids (acetate, formate), and low-molecular-weight amines. Sample matrices include drinking water, surface water, wastewater, soil extracts, pharmaceutical excipients, and food leachates. All refurbished units undergo full functional validation per ISO/IEC 17025 traceable protocols, including baseline noise assessment (<0.5 nS peak-to-peak), retention time precision (<0.15% RSD, n=10), and quantitative linearity (R² ≥ 0.999 over 3 orders of magnitude). System suitability testing aligns with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for audit trail generation, electronic signature support, and data integrity safeguards when operated with Chromeleon 6.8 SE software.

Software & Data Management

Chromeleon 6.8 SE (Scientific Edition) provides complete instrument control, sequence management, peak integration, calibration curve generation, and report templating. The software features built-in method validation tools, customizable audit trails with user-level access control, and scheduled auto-shutdown/startup functions. Raw data files (.CRD) are stored in a secure, folder-based repository with versioned backups. USB-connected operation enables direct integration with enterprise networks supporting LDAP authentication and centralized log archiving. All data exports comply with ASTM E1955 and ISO 17025 documentation standards, including metadata capture (operator ID, timestamp, instrument state, calibration history).

Applications

• Regulatory compliance testing for EPA Method 300.1 (anions in drinking water) and Method 317.1 (trace perchlorate)
• Pharmaceutical counterion profiling per USP and ICH Q5C guidelines
• Monitoring nitrate/nitrite in agricultural runoff and fertilizer formulations
• Quantification of chloride and sulfate in battery electrolytes and semiconductor process chemicals
• Quality assurance of food-grade phosphates, citrates, and preservatives
• Stability-indicating assays for biologics and monoclonal antibody formulations

FAQ

Is this unit factory-refurbished or third-party refurbished?
All ICS-900 systems are certified refurbished by Thermo Fisher-authorized service centers, including replacement of critical wear components (pump seals, suppressor membranes, detector cells), full hydraulic leak testing, and NIST-traceable calibration verification.
Does the refurbishment include warranty and technical support?
Yes—each unit ships with a 12-month comprehensive parts-and-labor warranty and remote diagnostic support via Thermo Fisher’s global service network.
Can Chromeleon 6.8 SE run on modern Windows OS versions?
Chromeleon 6.8 SE is validated for Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11 (64-bit) under virtualized compatibility mode with Microsoft Hyper-V or VMware Workstation Pro.
What suppressor models are compatible with this system?
The ICS-900 supports AERS 300 (anion), CERS 500 (cation), and AMMS-300 (methanesulfonic acid mode) suppressors—all included in standard configurations or available as optional upgrades.
Is GLP/GMP-compliant data archiving supported?
Yes—Chromeleon 6.8 SE implements 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trails, electronic signatures, and immutable raw data storage with SHA-256 hash verification for regulatory submissions.