Precise TOC measurement for wastewater applications

Technicians working in municipal wastewater treatment plants understand the importance of precise measurement of total organic carbon (TOC) levels in maximising treatment efficiency. Ensuring compliance with international, national, state, and local environmental regulations is also a major challenge, but thanks to the highly advanced Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyser from Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD), it has become a far more manageable task

ECD's TOC Analyser, driven by UV persulphate non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detection technology, enables plant engineers and technicians to measure carbon levels with confidence; this technology ensures that wastewater treatment processes are effective and cost-efficient. The versatility of the ECD TOC Analyser extends beyond municipal wastewater; it is also the ideal instrument for monitoring stormwater and a variety of industrial water-based waste streams, as well as water reuse treatment applications. The presence of organic matter in surface water, groundwater, municipal wastewater, and industrial wastewater varies, making accurate TOC measurement vital. These measurements are especially critical in treating municipal wastewater and stormwater flows before releasing them into the environment to prevent the contamination of delicate ecosystems, including ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans.

ECD's TOC Analyser is a comprehensive instrument that uses the UV persulphate oxidation sensing method to detect generated carbon dioxide (CO2) using a highly stable NDIR detector for analysis. This method works perfectly for complying with environmental regulations such as those set by DIN, CE, ASTM, US EPA, NAMUR, and ISO.

Operating the ECD TOC Analyser is easy. It starts by acidifying a water sample and then sparging it to remove inorganic carbon. The remaining liquid is mixed with sodium persulphate and digested by two high-performance reactors. The resultant CO2 is extracted from the liquid and, after drying, its concentration is measured precisely by the NDIR analyser, which is capable of measuring TOC levels ranging from 0-5 mg/L to 20,000 mg/L. What makes ECD's TOC Analyser special is its innovative design which features a valve-free sample line. This design keeps blockages to a minimum, thus ensuring almost continuous operation. With auto clean, auto-calibration, and auto-validation functions, this analyser ensures that correct and reliable readings can be reproduced without manual intervention.

Unlike conventional analysers that depend on glass tube rotameters for flow control, ECD’s TOC Analyser features digital control; integral, smart diagnostics monitor the flow, and if an anomaly is discovered, the analyser stops automatically and informs the end user. Designed for operation in demanding plant environments, the ECD TOC Analyser is housed in a dual-compartment enclosure. Water sample components are isolated in one compartment, while electronics are safeguarded in the other, ensuring safety and extremely relaible operation. The analyser compartment boasts IP54, NEMA 3, and conformance to EN610004-2, EN610004-4, C46-022, EN 55022, and EN 61326 ratings, among others.

Installation of this analyser is quick and easy, and its operation is intuitive. With a clear, user touchscreen display on the front, all output/input data, status information, alarms, and fault conditions are easily accessible, while password protection ensures security and data integrity.

TOCs in wastewater are governed by a host of international, national, and local water quality standards. Beyond wastewater treatment, other industries also rely on TOC measurement for analysing water quality in applications such as cooling water, condensate, and boiler-feed water in the power generation industry.

ECD's TOC Analyser represents a significant asset to wastewater treatment technology, providing operators with accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. It plays a key role in safeguarding our environment and ensuring compliance with stringent global regulations.