Data Sheet 735002U

CO2 Trap Cartridge for Alltech Model 640 / Model 641 / DS-Plus Suppressors

Alltech Associates, Inc. 2051 Waukegan Road Deerfield, IL 60015-1899 Telephone: (847) 948-8600 Fax: (847) 948-1078

Introduction
The Alltech Model 640 / Model 641 / DS-Plus Suppressors* incorporate a technology that addresses several limitations of traditional suppressors for anion chromatography. The device includes a degassing system after the anion suppression/regeneration cell. The benefits of the degasser are best appreciated with carbonate/bicarbonate mobile phases. Degassing the suppressor effluent before detection removes dissolved CO2, resulting in reduced background conductance, improved signal to noise ratio, reduced or eliminated water dip that interferes with early eluting peaks, and reduced or eliminated baseline shift during carbonate/bicarbonate gradients (Model 641 and DS-Plus Suppressors only). The degassing system consists of a vacuum pump, a vacuum chamber, and a CO2 trap cartridge. Inside the degassing chamber, the carbonic acid dissociates to form CO2 gas and water. The CO2 gas is removed before entering the detector. The vacuum pump continuously pulls air from atmosphere through the chamber to eliminate the released CO2 from building up inside the chamber. The CO2 trap cartridge is required to prevent excess CO2 and moisture from the atmosphere from entering the degassing chamber, which could cause increased background conductance and/or noise.

Changing the CO2 Trap Cartridge

The CO2 trap cartridge will need to be changed periodically depending on the usage level of the system. To change the cartridge follow these instructions: 1. Grasp the trap cartridge and gently pull it out of the suppressor. The cartridge is located inside the front door of the Model 640 / Model 641 Suppressors and at the rear panel of the DS-Plus Suppressor. 2. Disconnect the vacuum tubing from the tip of the cartridge. Dispose of the exhausted cartridge. 3. Remove the end cap from the tip of the new cartridge. Also remove the small yellow plug from the end of the cartridge. 4. Connect the vacuum tubing to the tip of the new cartridge. 5. Slide the cartridge into the suppressor.

Cartridge Storage
The individual CO2 trap cartridge is sealed in a plastic bag to minimize exposure to moisture and CO2. Please do not open the plastic wrap until you are ready to use the cartridge.

About the Packing

The trap cartridge is packed with a CO2 (inlet side) and moisture (outlet side) absorbent. The CO2 absorbent is a specially formulated mixture of sodium hydroxide on an inert silica base. It removes CO2 from the atmosphere through a chemical process. With a small percentage of water present, the following reactions take place: CO2 + H2O H2CO3 Na2CO3 + 2H2O

CO2 Trap Cartridges

DESCRIPTION QTY PART NO

C02 Trap Cartridges

2/pkg

735002

2NaOH + H2CO3

The CO2 absorbent turns from bluish brown to white as it becomes saturated with CO2. The moisture absorbent, located on the outlet side of the cartridge, absorbs the water that is generated during the CO2 removal process. This prevents the water from entering the vacuum chamber. The moisture absorbent will also change color, turning from blue to purple as it is saturated with water.

CO2 Trap Cartridge Lifetime

The lifetime of the cartridge is dependent on the usage of the suppressor and the lab environment (moisture and CO2 contents in the air). The cartridge will last between 500 - 1000 hours of continuous use. Indications that it needs to be replaced include a wavy baseline on your chromatogram and/or a slightly elevated background conductance on the conductivity detector. Also, the color of the packing material can be monitored. When exhausted, the CO2 absorbent will turn white and the moisture absorbent will turn purple.

* U.S. patent numbers 6,444,475; 6,468,804; 5,006,382; 5,340,384. Other patents pending

The trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.
10/2/03 735002U

Copyright 2003 Alltech Associates, Inc.

Contact your Alltech office or distributor for current or local prices.