Patent ID: 6712962
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An ion chromatography system comprising:a separating mechanism; a suppressor mechanism coupled to the separating mechanism, the suppressor mechanism adapted to receive an eluted liquid from the separating mechanism, the suppressor mechanism having a main body in which an ion exchanger is provided to reduce the electric conductivity of the eluted liquid from the separating mechanism; and a detector coupled to the suppressor mechanism to detect desired ions in the eluted liquid from the suppressor mechanism, wherein the suppressor mechanism includes automatic exchanging means for discharging the ion exchanger from the main body and for supplying a virgin ion exchanger to the main body, wherein the main body of the suppressor mechanism is a 6-way switching rotary valve having a first rotary groove a, a second rotary groove b and a third rotary groove c, wherein the suppressor mechanism includes a chamber, for accommodating a virgin ion exchanger in a slurry state, coupled to the rotary valve, wherein the automatic exchanging means includes (1) a liquid transferring tank, which accommodates a transferring liquid for introducing the virgin ion exchanger in a slurry state in the chamber into the rotary valve, and (2) a liquid transferring means for supplying the transferring liquid, wherein a flow passage from the separating mechanism is connected to a flow passage to the detector by the rotary groove a, wherein a flow passage from the liquid transferring means to the chamber is connected to a flow passage to the third rotary groove c by the second rotary groove b, wherein a flow passage from the second rotary groove b is connected to a flow passage to a discharge passage leading to the outside of the rotary valve by the third rotary groove c, and wherein filters, which prevent the passage of ion exchanger are respectively provided at (1) a side of the separating mechanism with respect to the first rotary groove a, (2) a side of the detector with respect to the first rotary groove a, and (3) a side of the third rotary groove c with respect to the second rotary groove b.