Hi

Could anyone reccomend an anion IC column that is equivalent to Dionex AS14 in performance. I was hoping to use this column for environmental analysis of a broad range of analytes from inorganic anions (covered under EPA) to organic anions, using Na2CO3/NaHCO3 or NaOH mobile phase. My local Dionex branch won't sell me their AS14 because i don't have a Dionex instrument. (i don't have the budget for one, and am planning to use our existing Agilent HPLC 1100 series and Alltech Suppression Module ERIS for our work).

Joe,

You should be able to purchase Dionex consumables provided you have at least a Dionex conductivity detector which you need anyway to provide power to the suppressor. The cost of this is comparable to an ERIS so I don't think you're saving anything by going with that relatively limited capacity ERIS suppression system. If you're interested in purchasing a Dionex conductivity detector as an instrument accessory and are experiencing difficulties with the local sales office, please e-mail me so I can intercede on your behalf.

However, if you are determined to proceed as indicated above, the two closest analogs to the AS14 column are: Metrosep Anion Supp 5 (4 mm by 100 mm) and the Sarasep AN300 column. The latter column is not solvent compatible, however. None of these columns (including the AS14 column) are compatible with long-term use of hydroxide mobile phases. Dionex has a variety columns for this purpose but the stationary phase needs to be specifically designed for this eluent in order to be generally useful.

If you have Alltech's ERIS then you probably know that you don't need a separate detector to power the unit and that it runs on it's own power. So I don't see any need to purchase a new detector unless you don't have a conductivity detector.

In regards to the column, I recommend Alltech's Novosep A-2 it should perform very well compared to the AS14 and can separate a wide range of anions.

Here is the link to the information on Alltech's website.

http://alltechweb.com/productinfo/Technical/datasheets/51410u.pdf

Joe,
I use the Metrohm 732 conductivity detector and 753 suppressor with my HP1100 with no problems. The detector is stabilised to better than +/- 0.01 degC. (remember thet conductivity is very temperature dependent). Also, suppressor has the lowest noise on the market. I know because I evaluated both. But most importantly, Metrohm offer a 10 year warranty on the suppressor. No other suppressor on the market has this feature!!!. Replacement suppressor costs from other companies are in excess of $1000 each. The system works really well. I run the UV detector in series, so that I can perform the Bromate analysis using the new EPA326 method using triiodide. My LOD's are less than 20ppt !!!
I use the column combination of the Met Supp5 column long with the Met Supp1 guard. This will give you separation of Bromate/Chlorate/chlorite along with the other regular anions all separated isocratically on the SAME run using stable carbonate/bicarb eluents. (Looking at the literature on the Dionex new AS17 column, you have to use a gradient of hydroxide. Do two separate runs and with two different loop sizes !! Check on Dionex literature!!!
Your metal HP1100 will hate the hydroxide eluents, and hydroxide eluents have a nasty habit of going off (picking-up CO2). This will effect your retention times too. Carbonate eluents will be fine with the HP1100.
The link for the bromate application is as follows
http://www.metrohm.com/docs/app/notes/pdf/n47.pdf

I did not try the Dionex column, as Dionex will not sell any to me. So I can not comment on their columns. But quite frankly, if they want to be like that, then I rather not do business with them.
Good Luck

To reduce the costs significantly, you could just but the conductivty detector and perform the regular anions non-suppressed. You do not have to buy a suppressor then. Check if the detector can do non-surpressed IC.
Or You can also do IC with just UV detector (by direct or indirect). The indirect method is not very sensitive.

From my point of view, the benefit of this forum is to provide a basis for free and open communication but it certainly not intended to be a marketing vehicle for various vendors. Joe asked a question regarding products which are equivalent to the AS14 column. Accordingly, postings relative to this seem reasonable but the posting by Mr. Farmer above from Metrohm (in the guise of an anonymous user) again steps over the bounds of this forum bringing up various irrelevant subjects and pointing to details completely irrelevant to the original question. For example, his mention of the AS17 column and the need for using two loops described in Dionex literature is completely irrelevant, only brought up for mudslinging purposes. The reality is that the column Dionex promotes for the application Mr. Farmer cites is the AS9-HC column. This column doesn't require two different loop sizes, as he well knows. But then the original posting was a question regarding the AS14 column which isn't even used for the application he mentions, so why did he bring it up in the first place? The answer is obvious, he can't seem to stay clear of dragging marketing into a technical discussions. Give it a rest, Mr. Farmer.

Joe,
the AN2 Columns from CETAC Transogenomic, my favourite
also
Hamilton PRP-X-110S not so nice
Phenomenex star-ion A300 (not tried it
Phenomenex star-ion A300 HC (not tried it)
all will do the trick some are and some are not solvent resistant.

good luck

although I do not use suppressor I found Hamilton PRP X-110 very rugged for common anions (the column is also solvent compatible and inexpensive).