TOC analysis measures organic contamination levels (organic load) - a crucial indicator of general water quality and as control for water treatment processes.
TOC responds to all organic types, either dissolved or suspended in water, even if containing oil, fats, greases, salts, particulates or high sulphur levels.
TOC (Total Organic Carbon) is a crucial parameter for water quality analysis. It helps in determining the amount of organic carbon present in each sample of water.
The measurement of TOC is vital for assessing water quality and ensuring its safety. By analyzing TOC levels, it becomes possible to evaluate the presence of organic matter and potential contaminants in water sources. This information is particularly significant for applications where the purity of water is essential.
TOC analyzers, instruments specifically designed for TOC analysis, are used to measure, and calculate TOC levels accurately. These analyzers employ various methods to determine total organic carbon in water samples. The TOC principle involves the oxidation of organic carbon compounds, followed by the detection and quantification of the resulting carbon dioxide.
By utilizing TOC analysis, professionals can assess water quality, calculate TOC concentrations, and understand the organic carbon content in both soil and water. This information aids in monitoring environmental conditions, identifying potential contaminants, and optimizing water treatment processes.
TOC analysis has gained significance due to factors such as the Disinfection Byproduct Rules (DBPR) Stage I and II, which require increased monitoring for TOC. The awareness of disinfection byproducts and their potential health risks has emphasized the importance of measuring TOC levels in water.
Understanding the basics of organic chemistry reveals that when organic carbon combines with chlorine, it results in the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). This relationship emphasizes the need for TOC analysis as a means to monitor and control the formation of DBPs, ensuring water safety.
In the event of spills or accidental releases, TOC analysis proves to be a valuable method for detecting a wide range of contaminants in water. The measurement of TOC levels provides an effective means to identify and assess the presence of various organic compounds that may have entered the water supply.
Optimization of water treatment processes is another area where TOC analysis plays a vital role.
In summary, TOC (Total Organic Carbon) is a key aspect of water quality analysis. It provides valuable insights into the organic carbon content in water samples, aiding in monitoring, assessing, and optimizing water quality for various applications.
Biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) are commonly used to indirectly measure organics, but it takes five days to test BOD and several hours for COD. Lab TOC analysis directly measures organics but without continuous readings, it is difficult for facilities to optimize treatments or detect product loss. Only online TOC analysis provides quantifiable product loss detection and helps protect capital equipment. Many TOC analysers won’t hold up in the harsh conditions of food and dairy processing. However, the B7000 uses patented two stage advanced oxidation (TSAO) technology and larger internal diameter tubing (with self-cleaning), giving the B7000 the ability to measure organics reliably in food processing conditions with 99.86% uptime and required preventative maintenance only twice per year.
With the ability to monitor two streams, the B3500c is ideal for clean water, such as condensate applications. Facilities can continuously monitor condensate return lines for organics to facilitate water reuse. When TOC is high, systems can divert the condensate to protect equipment, alarm staff to look for leaks, and track TOC data for process improvement.
Many TOC analyzers will have a hard time with high levels of sulfates. BioTector actually uses 1.8 N H2SO4 and 6 N H2SO4 reagents which means that the BioTector will not have a problem with measuring sulfates.
Patented two-stage oxidation with hydroxyl radicals, ensures complete oxidation of the sample.
First phase
- ToC stripped by adding acid.
- The resulting CO2 is measured in the IR detector.
- Important: The ToC stripping is controlled by the CO2 curve, which ensures that all the ToC is stripped.
Second Phase
- TOC converted into carbonates and oxalates by adding ozone and lye.
- Carbonates and oxalates converted into CO2 by re-adding acid.
- The resulting CO2 is measured in the IR detector.
The online total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer BioTector series is a TOC analyzer uses the “two-step oxidation method" with strong oxidizing power. In addition, the energy cost is 1/5 or less compared to a general combustion-type TOC meter, contributing to the realization of SDGs.
All food sources have an organic component. Monitoring organics in water and drain lines helps production facilities quickly and accurately measure the carbon content in their water streams so they can:
- Maximise production yield by quickly detecting product loss events to take corrective actions and improve production management processes to prevent future product loss.
- Mitigate compliance risks by addressing biological treatment overload, irregularities in operations, and inefficient chemical feed in the wastewater treatment process. Food production facilities can save energy, reduce chemical consumption, and generate less solid waste while consistently meeting regulation requirements.
- Protect capital equipment by reducing corrosion, leaks,fouling, maintenance, and downtime. Organics in condensate will cause organic acid formation, leading to corrosion of the boiler and damage to valuable assets.
The BioTector TOC Analysers help facilities run more efficiently by measuring organics in minutes to diagnose product loss, optimise treatments, improve process control, protect capital equipment, and most of all ensure compliance.
Since the Biotector measures TOC, a total sum parameter of carbon compounds present, this can be used to calculate product loss.
The entire system is automatically self-cleaned by the reaction process during every cycle.
The Biotector B7000 can directly measure TOC, TC, IC, VOC, TN, TP as well as BOD and COD via correlation.
The Hach BioTector ® B3500dw Online TOC Analyzer , which is developed specifically for the drinking water industry, optimizes the monitoring and the removal of organics based on real time TOC measurements. BioTector utilizes an advanced oxidation technology, which is a US EPA approved method, and supplies accurate and reliable detection of organics, assisting and ensuring optimal water treatment process.
HACH recommends a six monthly service and maintenance schedule which is typically conducted by factory trained HACH service technicians.
The Hach B700i is designed and tested to handle up to 30% w/v salt levels.