See the following table for troubleshooting tips.

Peaks and spikes in the abscence of an injection

Issue

Procedure

Excessive current applied to the Dionex DRS 600 (Legacy Mode), Dionex ERS 500e or Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate

Procedure

  1. Recalculate the optimum current and apply; never apply more than 10% above the optimum current except when executing the Electrolytic Regeneration Steps.
  2. When operating with gradient eluents, apply the minimum current setting for the maximum eluent concentration at the eluent flow rate.

NOTE: During a low flow method (stand-by mode), ensure that the current is lowered to the optimal value based on the reduced flow rate and/or eluent concentration.

Precipitation on the suppressor membrane or screens (calcium, magnesium, and other metals)

Procedure

  1. Follow the procedure in Metal contaminants or precipitates.
  2. To prevent contaminants from reaching the suppressor, a CP1 cation polisher column (Item # 064930) can be used during anion analysis to strip cationic contaminants from the sample. Refer to the CP1 Operator’s Manual for detailed instructions.

Outgassing or trapped bubbles in the suppressor regenerant chambers

Procedure

  1. Ensure that the external water (if used) is degassed before use; do not pressurize the external water with air, use nitrogen or helium.
  2. Eliminate causes of excessive backpressure between the cell outlet and the regenerant inlet if recycled eluent mode is used.

Excess suppressor temperature

Procedure

  1. Do the following:
  2. Ensure liquid entering the suppressor is at or less than 35°C.
  3. Ensure the suppressor is operated in an environment that does not exceed 35°C during operation.
  4. Refer to Installation in thermal chamber. 20°C is the optimum temperature for Dionex DRS 600, Dionex ERS 500e or Dionex AERS 500 Carbonate operation.

Large changes to the flow rate or applied current of the suppressor

Procedure

  1. When changing eluent concentration or flow rate, recalculate the optimum current using the attached calculator; do not allow the suppressor to operate for more than 5 minutes with excessive or insufficient current.
  2. If the current is changed, allow the suppressor a few hours to reestablish baseline stability.
  3. Ensure that shut-down, stand-by and start-up methods are applying the correct suppressor current.

Operating the suppressor with power but no eluent or regenerant flow

Operation of the suppressor without flow may irreversibly damage the suppressor, depending on the amount of applied current and duration.

Procedure

  1. Do the following:
  2. Ensure that the regenerant lines are connected and flow is established when powering on the suppressor at all times.
  3. Ensure that during external water operation that the suppressor is never operated without regenerant flow.
  4. When operating properly, bubbles interspersed with liquid exiting the regenerant chamber indicates good flow.
  5. Replace the suppressor if operation without flow is known to have occurred.
  6. Confirm that the minimum pressure limit on the pump is set to a non-zero value to ensure that the system turns off in the event of a leak.

Incorrect current setting during shutdown, stand-by or startup method

Procedure

  1. Shut-down methods should shut the pump flow off at the same time as the suppressor current.
  2. Stand-by methods should reset the suppressor current to the optimum level for the reduced flow rate and/or concentration.
  3. Do not reduce the flow rate on RFIC-EG systems; this will lower the backpressure on the degasser below 2,000 psi and cause out-gassing.
  4. Stand-by methods for RFIC-EG systems should reduce eluent concentration to preserve Dionex EGC ion count; reset the suppressor current accordingly.
  5. Do not turn the Dionex EGC concentration to zero with flow; use a low setting.
  6. Consider using the smart-shutdown and smart-startup feature of Chromeleon instead of standby conditions and configure the system for smart-startup two hours before use is anticipated so the system is equilibrated and ready to run.
  7. Consider using RFIC-ER; no shut-down, stand-by or start-up procedure is needed with an Always On, Always Ready system. Start-up settings should turn on the pump flow and suppressor current simultaneously.