The Professional 850 IC system «ProfIC 3» is equipped with Inline Stopped Flow Dialysis a technique that has been patented by Metrohm and represents a fully automatic sample preparation technique for heavily loaded sample matrices that normally would disturb the baseline and prove detrimental to the lifetime of the separation column.
In the case of Metrohm Intelligent IC instruments then the most expensive consumable accessory is the analytical column itself - this is not always the case with other vendors - as a consequence it makes complete economic sense to protect this investment. Through automation the sample throughput is enhanced also and handling errors are reduced, as a result one sees a reduction in the true cost of analysis. In the real world of analytical analysis; the samples are often not crystal clear, pure and containing no particles. Dialysis effectively removes the particles and colloids from various samples, for example emulsions, fat containing samples, bodily fluids and strongly polluted wastewaters can be determined reliably and robustly without damage to the column. The driving force behind dialysis is diffusion, only the ions and not the particles can pass through the dialysis membrane. This extends the life of the membrane and, for example, prevents oil droplets from reaching the column through the membrane as would be the case if any kind of filtration was used. The dialysis cell is mounted directly inside the 850 Professional IC and the two peristaltic pumps that control the stopped flow dialysis are automatically controlled by the Intelligent MagIC Net software. MagIC Net is an integral part of Intelligent IC and allows logical decisions to be performed - for example automatic inline sample dilution - and monitors all the intelligent system components (iPump, iColumn, iDetector and intelligent dosing units) notifying the user for example when maintenance or service is required. The intelligent hardware is equipped with a memory chip that stores device specific data and when the method is started the parameters are checked ensuring accurate, reliable results time after time. Running costs of Metrohm Inline Dialysis are low as the cell uses standard 47mm diameter membranes and the whole procedure is automated once the sample is introduced onto the carousel of the Sample Processor (autosampler) enabling the user to perform other functions in the laboratory.