Patent ID: 7618535
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for suppressed ion analysis of analyte ions in a sample solution, said apparatus comprising: (a) a chromatographic separator having an inlet and an outlet for separating said analyte ions in the presence of an eluent comprising electrolyte counterions of opposite charge to said analyte ions, (b) a suppressor-salt convertor comprising a suppressor sample flow channel separated from a suppressor regenerant flow channel having an inlet and an outlet by a suppressor ion exchange membrane having an upstream portion and a downstream salt-forming portion, said suppressor sample flow channel having an outlet and an inlet communicating with said chromatographic separator outlet, said suppressor sample flow channel inlet and suppressor regenerant flow channel inlet being disposed at the upstream side of each of said flow channels so that flow therethrough is in the same direction, the suppressor ion exchange membrane in the downstream salt-forming portion having exchangeable ions in the electrolyte counterion form serving to convert said analyte ions to salts of said electrolyte counterion, and (c) a source of aqueous liquid communicating with said regenerant flow channel.