Total Inorganic Carbon Analysis

By Automated Acidification and Coulometric Detection

Applications include: Soils and sediments, Geological materials, Sludges, Sulfur, Coals, Ceramic powders, Column packing materials

Conforms to ASTM D 513

The CM240 Total Inorganic Carbon Analyzer is a complete analytical system allowing the direct measurement of total inorganic carbon in a wide variety of sample matrices and concentrations. Combining a self-contained unit for sample acidification (to evolve CO2), and a highly sensitive CO2 detector, the CM240 easily handles solid or liquid samples with concentrations from ppm levels to 100% inorganic carbon without user calibration. UIC’s analyzers are rugged, accurate and adaptable to most TIC applications. They are used extensively in industrial, research and educational laboratories worldwide. The CM240 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

CM5240 Acidification Module

-45 position carousel

-Low dead volume reaction chamber

-Self cleaning

-Selectable volume acid dispensing

-Pre-scrubber for removal of CO2 from carrier gas

-Post-scrubber for removal of interferents released during sample digestion

Instrument Capabilities

A major advantage of the CM240 Automatic Inorganic Carbon 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.

Additionally, it is possible to analyze liquids containing particulates, solids or solid/liquid slurries. Oxidation times vary with sample type and temperature although 5 to 7 minute analyses are typical.

Principles of Operation

Total Inorganic Carbon

Samples are initially weighed into disposable Teflon® cups and loaded into a 45 position sample carousel. As the carousel rotates, each sample drops from the carousel into a small chamber where it is purged with a CO2-free carrier gas to eliminate atmospheric carbon dioxide. Once purged, the sample moves into the acidification chamber where it is oxidized. A second stream of CO2-free carrier gas transports the products of this reaction through a series of post-scrubbers (to remove potential interferences) and ultimately into the reaction cell of a CM5014 CO2 Analyzer where inorganic carbon evolved as CO2 is automatically measured using absolute coulometric titration.

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.

CM240 - Automated Total Inorganic Carbon Analyzer

Includes: CM5014 CO2 Coulometer and CM5240 Automatic Acidification Module with tools and accessories for the analysis of solid or liquid samples. (P/N CM240-01 115V, 50/60Hz) (P/N CM240-02 230V, 50/60Hz)