TC and TOC Analysis of Solids and Liquids

By Combustion and Coulometric Detection

Applications include: Soils and sediments, geological materials, sludges, sulfur, liquids containing particulates, water and wastewater, brines, process fluids, corrosive agents and acids.

Conforms to ASTM D 4129

The CM130 TC/TOC Analyzer is a complete analytical system capable of measuring total carbon and total organic carbon in aqueous samples. Combining a high-temperature combustion furnace with a highly sensitive CO2 detector, the CM130 is capable of analyzing samples containing carbon concentrations from ppm levels to over 10,000 ug C (absolute) without user calibration. UIC’s analyzers are rugged, accurate and adaptable to most TC/TOC applications. They are used extensively in industrial, research and educational laboratories worldwide. The CM130 system includes the following components pictured above:

CM5014 CO2 Analyzer

-No user calibration-Wide, linear dynamic range

-Readability to 0.01 ug Carbon

-User selectable display units

-Floppy disk drive for archiving data

CM5300 Horizontal Furnace with CM5321 Furnace Kit

-Programmable up to 1100oC

-Pre-combustion scrubbers for removal of interferences from oxygen carrier gas

-Post-combustion scrubbers for removal of interfering gases formed during sample combustion

-Sample introduction using platinum or porcelain boats with ladle or spring-loaded syringe

Instrument Capabilities

A major advantage of the CM130 TC/TOC Analyzer is the use of coulometric detection. Employing the principles of Faraday’s Law, the CM5014 CO2 Analyzer automatically measures the absolute mass amount of carbon dioxide resulting from sample combustion. No user-calibration is required and linear detection is available from less than 1 ug carbon to over 10,000 ug carbon. Using this 100% efficient coulometric process, relative standard deviations of 0.2% or better are common for standard material. For smaller concentrations, an absolute deviation of approximately 1 ug C is typical. Oxidation times vary with sample type and temperature although 5 to 7 minute analyses are typical.

Principles of Operation

Total Carbon

Solids and slurries are initially weighed into platinum or porcelain “boats” which are then placed into a quartz ladle. Liquid samples up to 200ul are drawn into the constant rate syringe. In either case, the analysis is initiated by introducing the sample into the high temperature oxygen atmosphere (typically950oC) within the sample combustion zone. In that environment, all carbon within the sample is rapidly oxidized to CO2. Interfering reaction products (including sulfur oxides, halides, water and nitrous oxides) are removed by the post-combustion scrubbers. The resulting carbon dioxide is then swept into theCM5014 CO2 Analyzer where it is automatically measured using absolute coulometric titration.

Total Organic Carbon

Prior to injection into the furnace, liquid samples are acidified and purged of CO2 and carbonate carbons. This “pre-treated” sample is then reacted as described above. (Note: Although the direct TOC analysis of solids is occasionally performed using various sample pre-treatment methods, we generally recommend our CM150 which allows for the separate analysis of TIC. The TOC result is then calculated by difference, where TOC = TC – TIC.

Data Handling

Names, weights, volumes or areas of up to 50 samples can be entered to be used by the CM5014 in calculating the final result. Analytical progress is digitally displayed in user-selectable units. A detailed report is printed while each sample is running that includes the final result. Upon completion of a series of samples, a one page report will print, summarizing the analysis of all 50 samples. The results can also be stored to diskette for further data handling.

CM135 - Total Carbon / Total Organic Carbon in Solids or Liquids

Includes: CM5014 CO2 Coulometer, CM5300 Horizontal Furnace, CM5321 and CM5322 Furnace Kits with tools and accessories for the analysis of solid samples. Kit option CM5323 or CM5324 must also be chosen. (P/N CM135-01 115V, 50/60Hz) (P/N CM135-02 230V, 50/60Hz)