TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON (TOC)

Dr. V. K. Singh
Assistant Professor
Institute of Pharmacy
B.U., Jhansi
 INTRODUCTION

 TOC refers to a Total Organic Carbon analyzer, which utilizes a

catalytic oxidation combustion technique at high temperature (the
temperature raises up to 720 ºC), to convert organic carbon into CO2.
The CO2 generated by oxidation is measured with a Non-dispersive
Infra-Red (NDIR) sensor.
 By using special kits and (dilution) methods the device can be applied
to determine the carbon concentration over an extremely broad range
(theoretically from 4µg/L to 30,000mg/L), from pure drinking water to
sea water with sludge.
 In addition, it is possible to indirectly determine the fraction of IC (=
"inorganic carbon") arising from dissolved CO2 and acid salts containing
carbon.
 INTRODUCTION

IC: Inorganic carbon

TOC: Total organic carbon
POC: Particulate organic carbon
NPOC: Nonpurgable organic carbon (remaining in acidified sample after purging)
INSTRUMENTATION
 Applications

TOC determination in drinking water

Continuous TOC determination in wastewater treatment plants

TOC process analysis in the paper industry

Continuous TOC determination in the chemical industry

 TOC determination in drinking water
 For drinking water analysis the NPOC method (non
purgeable organic carbon) is used. The drinking water sample
is first acidified to a pH value of 2. This way the carbonates
and hydrogen carbonates are transformed into carbon
dioxide. The CO2 is then removed via sparging with carrier
gas.
 The amount of volatile and therefore purgeable organic
carbon can be disregarded in drinking water. What remains is
a solution of non-volatile organic carbon compounds. These
can be oxidized to CO2 and detected via NDIR.
Continuous TOC determination in
wastewater treatment plants

For TOC determination in wastewater, catalytic

combustion has become the method of choice based on its
higher oxidation potential, especially for particles.
In catalytic combustion, carbon compounds are
converted into CO2 using a catalyst under high
temperatures with subsequent detection of the resulting
CO2 using an NDIR detector.
TOC process analysis in the paper industry

 Paper manufacturing requires the use of water for various processes

(suspension and transport of the pulp, cooling water, sieve and felt
cleaning, system cleaning).
 Wherever fresh water is consumed, large amounts of wastewater are
also produced and these must be continuously monitored. The
wastewater from paper and pulp mills is usually highly polluted with
organic carbon compounds.
 The wastewater streams are sequentially transported to the analyzer
using various valves. Following each sample feed to the analyzer, the
valves and tubes are flushed with fresh water and an acid rinse. This
prevents the formation of buildup in the valves. The acid rinse and water
rinse are controlled by the TOC analyzer.
 Continuous TOC determination in the
chemical industry

 The TOC content (Total Organic Carbon) is a measure of the

concentration of organically bound carbon and is an indication of the
pollution level by organic compounds in wastewater. This is why the
TOC is often used in sewage treatment plants as measuring parameter
to monitor and optimize the treatment process and to calculate
pollution levels.
 For TOC determination in wastewater, catalytic combustion has
become the method of choice based on its higher oxidation potential,
especially for particles.
Thanking you