Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis provides valuable process data by efficiently measuring sample impurities as a simple, non-specific, and inclusive measurement of organic contamination. Accurate detection and quantification of low TOC concentrations is critical for process control, product quality, and asset protection. Organic contamination such as volatile compounds can cause interference in production processes,contamination of finished products and non-conformity throughout a production lot, or degradation of equipment.
Compounds that are volatile or semi-volatile have uses in cleaning and cooling, and other volatile contaminants emerge from source water or breakdown products. The ability to detect these volatile and semi-volatile compounds is key to comprehensive leak detection in municipal and industrial water treatment and can be achieved using TOC analysis.
Depending on the method of analysis, volatile compounds can often be hard to detect, whether lost through sparging or requiring specialized method development. These limitations may lead to delayed or incorrect decision-making due to inaccurate data. In a recent study comparing the recovery of volatile compounds with in Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzers, the following three TOC oxidation methods were used:
- High temperature catalytic combustion
- Two staged advanced oxidation
- UV persulfate oxidation with membrane detection (used in Sievers* M-Series TOC Analyzers)
All the analyzers successfully analyzed the compounds when functioning in the proper mode; however, Sievers M-Series are the only analyzers able to detect volatile organics in the standard mode of operation and without the use of a carrier gas. Sparging with a carrier gas can result in the loss of volatile and semi- volatile organic compounds and use of a carrier gas during NDIR detection requires precise gas- liquid separation as any moisture present can negatively affect operation. Sievers M-Series Analyzers remove these risks by measuring CO2 in the liquid phase (rather than as a gas) via membrane conductometric detection. Identifying leaks or process inefficiencies quickly – and therefore at low levels – can save time and money by protecting equipment and finished products while also aiding in timely decision making. Sievers M-Series Analyzers meet this requirement with the lowest limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) alongside the most accurate low-level analysis of volatile compounds. Combining analytical accuracy, overall ease of use, and the lack of requirement to purchase optional accessories makes Sievers M-Series TOC Analyzers the ideal solution for detection of volatile organic compounds. Learn more about this study here. (Link to app note in estore)