Total Organic Carbon (TOC) concentration is one of the most important screening parameters in the environmental analysis of water. The higher the value of organic carbon in the water, the higher the content of organic matter in the water. Therefore, organic carbon can reflect the degree of organic matter pollution in the water body. TOC Analyzers are fast, accurate and highly sensitive, so they are widely used in medical, environmental protection, food and other industries. The following is a detailed introduction to the principles and applications of TOC Analyzers.

What are TOC Analyzers

TOC Analyzers, or Total Organic Carbon Analyzers, are instruments used to measure the amount of organic matter in water samples. It works by converting the organic matter in the sample to carbon dioxide and then measuring the amount of carbon dioxide to determine the amount of organic matter in the sample. It expresses a comprehensive indicator of the total amount of organic matter in a body of water regarding carbon content.
TOC as a comprehensive indicator for rapid water quality checks, is usually used as an important basis for evaluating the degree of organic matter pollution in water bodies.

Total Organic Carbon Analyzers Principle

The main principle of the TOC Analyzer is electrochemical reaction. In the electrochemical reaction, oxygen and organic matter are fed into an oxidation chamber and a reduction chamber, where the organic matter is reduced to carbon dioxide by applying a voltage between the two chambers. The carbon dioxide is then sent to a detector where its concentration is measured to determine the amount of organic matter in the sample.

TOC Analyzers Application

Water quality testing

Both wastewater treatment and water quality monitoring departments are paying increasing attention to the contamination of organic matter in water. Disinfectants used in water treatment produce by-products, and by analyzing the TOC of the discharged wastewater it is possible to determine the concentration of pollutants and to simplify the treatment process. TOC measurements are therefore essential to determine whether treated water is safe to use and drink.

Power Plants

Power plants often require large amounts of water to cool equipment and treat other systems.
Total Organic Carbon Analyzers monitor the level of organic contaminants in this recycled water to ensure that water quality standards are met.
The results of TOC analysis can be used to optimize the water treatment system in a power plant, such as selecting the right treatment process and dosage of chemicals to improve treatment efficiency.

Chemical and petroleum industry

In the chemical industry, a TOC analyzer can be used to monitor the organic content of raw water and wastewater, to ensure process stability and emission standards. Total organic carbon analyzers in the petrochemical industry can be used to monitor the water quality of crude oil and oil refining processes to avoid equipment corrosion and blockage.

Food and beverage industry

Understanding the composition of our food and beverages is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and TOC analyzer is becoming increasingly common in the food and beverage industry. It is commonly used in the dairy industry as well as in the quality control of purely organic foods and beverages to counteract the use of artificial additives (used in honey, maple syrup and other natural foods).

Research and academia

Scientists around the globe use TOC analysis, including blood and plasma analysis for genetic research, contaminated water and soil analysis for environmental impact studies, and ultrapure water analysis for agricultural and industrial applications. Carbon dating methods and environmental disaster response applications are also becoming more common in academia, especially in light of the growing threat of global warming.

Conclusion

With the development of industry and environmental protection awareness, TOC analyzers are more and more widely and importantly used in various fields. It can not only accurately detect the content of organic pollutants, but also provide key data for optimizing production processes and ensuring product quality. At the same time, with the increasingly stringent regulations and standards, TOC analysis in the field of environmental monitoring, food safety and other areas of application will be more and more attention.