Acquisition of a Dionex ICS-6000 HPIC System

This proposal describes the acquisition of a Dionex ICS-6000 HPIC System, which is an ion chromatography system with dual-channel system for the simultaneous determination of anions and cations from the same single sample. The Dionex ICS-6000 will be extensively used in critical applications in hydraulic fracturing research for hydrocarbon recovery, especially in the determination and concentration of ions in fly ash slurries. As such, selected fly ashes with advanced capabilities will be used for energy applications, such as propping and stabilizing smaller fractures. The new IC unit will also be used in the determination of ions present in pore solutions of novel low-CO2 and low-energy cements to understand the evolution of the hydration process over time. Other types of research will also benefit from this new equipment, which include the Analytical Group at CAER with the method development of anion catalysis in coal using IC detection for ASTM work. It also includes the Carbon Materials Group at CAER with the determination of the PEDOT:PSS ratio by analyzing the sulfate ions in the fiber and monitoring the ion exchange process. In the past, other researchers from UK campus have shown interest in ion chromatography and have contacted the Analytical Group at CAER, but no IC unit was available at the time. A detailed plan for allowing campus-wide access to the equipment is included in the proposal, as well as a plan for providing user training and equipment maintenance.