February 2007, Sunnyvale, CA—Dionex has developed a new ion chromatography (IC) test method for determining the inorganic chloride and sulfate content of hydrous and anhydrous denatured ethanol. Application Update 161: Determination of Sulfate and Chloride in Ethanol Using Ion Chromatography is intended for the analysis of ethanol samples containing 0.5–50 mg/kg inorganic chloride and 0.5–20 mg/kg inorganic sulfate ions. The test method features direct injection for fast, reliable, and reproducible sulfate and chloride analysis. Using this method, sulfate and chloride content can be measured to demonstrate the acceptability of ethanol for use as automotive spark-ignition engine fuel. This method can also be used with eluent generation. Ethanol is used as a blending agent, added to gasoline. Low levels of sulfates (<10 parts-per-million) may deposit in critical automobile components such as filters and fuel injectors, causing plugging. Ethanol acceptability for use as a fuel depends on the levels of sulfate and chloride ions. Although work has begun in national standards organizations to develop test methods to quickly and reliably determine these ions in ethanol by IC, a nationwide standard test method using IC is not yet available. Dionex, the innovator in IC for 30 years, is uniquely suited to help develop a standard method. Dionex (NASDAQ:DNEX) is a global leader in the manufacturing and marketing of liquid chromatography and extraction systems, consumables, and software for chemical analysis. The Company's systems are used worldwide in environmental analysis and by the life sciences, chemical, petrochemical, food and beverage, power generation, and electronics industries. Our expertise in applications and instrumentation helps analytical scientists to evaluate and develop pharmaceuticals, establish environmental regulations, and produce better industrial products.
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