Total Organic Carbon Analysis Principle

Importance of the TOC Analysis Principle

TOC measurements are crucial in determining the concentration of organic substances present in a sample. This helps identify water quality changes and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. By measuring TOC, scientists, engineers, and process owners can gain a deeper understanding of their systems' water quality, leading to informed decision-making and sustainable practices.

Understanding TOC Analysis

TOC analysis is based on the concentration of organic compounds in a water sample. Since organics are generally non-conductive, they cannot be detected through conductivity measurements in their natural state. To obtain conductive species in pure water, it is necessary to convert organics into a suitable form. This is achieved by oxidizing the organics and generating carbonic acid, which is a conductive species. The level of total organic carbon is then calculated based on that conductivity differential.

Accurate Analysis Through Oxidation

Several measurement techniques are available today to measure TOC levels that involve the oxidation of organic carbons. These techniques include:

Photocatalytic Oxidation: UV light exposure is used to convert organics into carbon dioxide.
Chemical Oxidation: Persulfate and UV light transform organics into carbon dioxide.
High-Temperature Combustion: This method employs oxidation catalysts in a chamber heated to 95-100 degrees Celsius to convert organics to carbon dioxide.

Applications of the TOC Analysis Principle

TOC measurements are applicable in several industries, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and power.

In the pharmaceutical industry, it serves as a staple for monitoring the quality of water used for purified water and water for injection.
TOC measurements help to ensure water quality throughout production within the semiconductor industry.
In the power sector, TOC measurement is a prevalent choice for monitoring water quality in the water/steam cycle.

Applications of the TOC Analysis Principle

Real-Time TOC

METTLER TOLEDO's online TOC analyzers enhance your water system's process control. They offer continuous contamination monitoring, providing accurate TOC measurements in real time. This capability enables a rapid response to contamination incidents, making these analyzers suitable for pharmaceutical, power plant cycle chemistry, and microelectronics ultrapure water applications.

Predictive Diagnostics for Optimal Performance

Our TOC analyzers are designed with ISM technology to help maintain low TOC levels in purified water. They are optimized to operate at their best and provide alerts and recommendations to operators for regular maintenance, such as calibration and UV lamp replacement. This ensures that our TOC analyzers can provide accurate and reliable measurements, meeting the required quality standards for purified water.