7.40 Organic substances Organic substances, which are carried with the feed water into the steam generator, can, after being concentrated in the boiler water of drum-type boilers, increase its foaming tendency, cause camy-over of boiler water droplets and thus indirectly affect the steam quality. Decomposition products of organic substances formed under boller conditions can directly affect the pH of boiler water and, if volatile, the steam quality (6) Organic substances in the water are best detected by determining the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content, see the VGB handbook “Chemistry in power plants — Analytical methods” (9) and VGB-S.006-T-00;2012-00.EN (4). To evaluate the possible effects and means for removal of organics, the knowledge of the type of organics is very important /19/. It is recommended to strive for less than (0.1 mgil. Even this value may be too high in special cases, depending on the nature of the organic matter and the make-up water demand. High make-up rates require a minimization of the DOC content, see VGB-M407 (3), Where organic substances can enter the steam water cycle from other sources, €. g. return of non-purified condensate in industrial power piants, continuous monitoring of the DOC content in the condensate or feed water is recommended (see VGB-M412 (5). When operating with demineralised feed water, the ingress of organic contaminants usually can be detected due to a decrease in the pH of the steam compared to the feed water or an increase in the acid conductivity between feed water and steam as a result of the decomposition of organic substances. This may also be indicated by comesponding measurements of degassed conductivity. Chapter 6.3.1.7 Is referred with respect to the problems related to organic conditioning agents.