PyICLab: An integrated Python-based toolkit for in-silico simulations of ion chromatography

PyICLab is an open-source Python-based package featuring an object-oriented programming (OOP) interface, providing tools for realistic and customized numerical simulations of ion chromatography (IC). In this paper, we showcase PyICLab's use in simulating diverse separation scenarios, including isocratic carbonate elution, gradient hydroxide elution, high-concentration and large-volume injections. The accuracy of the embedded models was validated by demonstrating strong correlations between predicted and experimental results. Additionally, PyICLab's capability to handle complex IC configurations was demonstrated through a simulation of a column-switching system for seawater analysis. PyICLab offers valuable resources for chromatographic optimization, method development, and educational purposes. It is available on PyPI at pypi.org/project/pyIClab. Interested readers can install PyICLab using the pip command in a Python 3.11 or higher environment.