Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis is a vital technique for assessing water quality by measuring organic contamination, impacting multiple industries like pharmaceuticals and wastewater treatment. TOC analyzers employ methods such as catalytic combustion and UV-persulfate oxidation to quantify organic carbon levels, which is essential for ensuring regulatory compliance and product integrity. The document outlines various applications for TOC monitoring and the significance of maintaining safe water quality in both environmental and industrial contexts.

1. Total Organic Carbon (TOC): An Overview
Table Of Contents
● Introduction
● What is Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analysis?
● Working Principle of a TOC Analyzer
● Reasons to Measure Total Organic Carbon
● Processes that Require Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Monitoring
● What are the Applications of TOC Analysis?
● Selecting the Best TOC Analysis Technique to Use
● Catalytic Combustion Oxidation TOC Analyser
● Conclusion
● Key Takeaways
● FAQS
Introduction
TOC (Total Organic Carbon) is the quantity of carbon present in an organic
compound.
It has evolved into a key indicator of approximate amounts of organic
contamination and may thus be used to predict water quality.
In many circumstances, a Total Organic Carbon analyzer is utilized to check
the Analyzer's lack of change in organic content continually.
What is Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Analysis?

2. Total Organic Carbon Analysis is a technique for determining the quality of
water. Water purity is crucial in many industries, including pharmaceutical,
industrial, power generating, and water supply.
Bacteria or other inorganic substances in the environment can suggest
filtration, storage, or system failure.
Contamination can also cause issues such as damage to industrial systems or
a decrease in product quality, threatening profitability and consumer health.
Furthermore, knowing the purity of water protects users, suppliers, and the
environment by allowing water to be utilized, provided, and disposed of in the
safest, most cost-effective, and ecologically friendly manner possible.
The following can be measured by TOC analysis:
● TC - Total carbon,
● IC - Inorganic carbon,
● TOC - Total organic carbon,

3. ● POC - Purgeable organic carbon and
● NPOC - Nonpurgeable organic carbon.
TOC has evolved into a key metric for monitoring the total quantities of
organic chemicals present.
This is despite the lack of a direct quantitative association between total
organic carbon and the overall concentration of organic compounds present,
and it demonstrates the need for having an easy-to-measure, broad indicator
of the approximate degree of organic contamination.
It also illustrates the allure of a parameter with a name that sounds more
essential than it is!
The TOC is frequently employed as an ongoing monitor of change or lack of
change in organic content.
Working Principle of TOC Analyzer
A TOC Analyzer can be used to determine total organic carbon.
This operates by oxidizing the organic component into a quantifiable state.

4. When organic carbon is oxidized, carbon dioxide is produced, which may then
be measured and turned into a TOC measurement.
TOC analysis entails calculating this measurement and subtracting the
'inorganic carbon,' which is the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide and
carbonic salts.
Components of TOC Analysis
TOC analysis consists of three steps: sampling, oxidation, and detection.
To meet regulatory requirements, it is advised that the sample system have
automatic sampling, acidification, and sparging for TOC analysis, automatic
dilution capabilities, and auto-calibration using a single stock standard.
The organic carbons must be oxidized to estimate the degree of TOC. There
are numerous oxidation technologies available on the market today.
Among the methods for converting TC to CO2 are:
● Thermal Oxidation
The sample will be combusted in a reactor using this oxidation process.
A maximum temperature of around 1,000°C is usually obtained, which does
not allow for the complete oxidation of all carbon components.
At these temperatures, a catalyst, such as copper oxide or platinum, must be
utilized.
The catalytic combustion process can normally handle TOC concentrations of
up to 4,000 mg/l. To achieve higher ranges, the sample is frequently diluted
with demin water.
● Photochemical Oxidation (Uv-Persulfate Method)
The oxidation of TOC is done using UV light and a digesting reagent, sodium
persulphate, and an NDIR detector are used to detect the CO2 generated.
Because particles are difficult to oxidize entirely, this approach is best suited
for determining TOC in clean water (drinking water, condensate, boiler feed
water).

5. ● Wet Chemical Oxidation
The water sample is oxidized using strong chemicals as oxidants like ozone,
which are slightly hazardous to health and the environment.
The acids and bases produced by ozone oxidation are utilized to change the
pH of the sample along the pH scale.
The oxidation potential of such approaches, however, is relative, because
particles and more complicated carbon molecules can only be partially
digested or not at all.
These practices are not recommended by current occupational safety and
environmental protection requirements.
According to studies, combining Persulfate with heat and UV light resulted in a
more accurate and faster analysis.
Reasons to Measure Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
High-quality water is a critical element used throughout the pharmaceutical
manufacturing process.
Assuring the purity of the water aids in the elimination of the impact that
bacteria and other organic substances may have on product quality.
When organic substances react with other elements, they form molecules that
can be detrimental to products and the environment once the water is drained.
TOC analysis, in addition to water purity standards, can give validation of the
cleaning processes used by corporations to maintain drug manufacturing
equipment.
While organic matter is not always harmful, excessive amounts in water can
have a substantial influence on ecosystems and cause equipment damage if
left unregulated and untreated.

6. 1) Avoid Environmental Consequences:
Organics in rivers or streams can be hazardous to the ecosystem even if the
molecules themselves are not immediately toxic.
Organic waste, by reducing oxygen levels in the water, can cause fish
suffocation and have a wide range of negative effects on water ecosystems.
2) Ensure Compliance With Regulations:
Organic compounds are precursors to disinfection by-products (DBP), which
are rigorously controlled in the drinking water sector.
Measuring TOC allows you to execute the best treatment to reduce DBP
generation and meet regulatory standards.
Industries and governments that fail to monitor TOC correctly may fail to
comply with laws and regulations, paying costs or fines.
There are further financial ramifications for breaching discharge permit
restrictions.
3) Business Efficiency & Integrity:

7. Organic compounds in products negatively impact flavor, odor, appearance,
and customer impressions of quality.
Excessive organic content in source water can affect production costs, create
contamination, result in wastewater treatment charges, provide obstacles to
following laws, and have severe environmental repercussions that can hurt a
company's reputation.
Processes that Require Total Organic
Carbon (TOC) Monitoring
1) Wastewater Treatment
By determining the total TOC load before it enters the treatment facility, the
plant may prepare for treatment and optimize operation.
Measuring the TOC discharge at the end of treatment aids in ensuring that the
facility complies with the rules.
2) Drinking Water Treatment
Natural organic matter (NOM) from decomposing plant or animal components
can be found in raw water sources such as lakes, streams, and reservoirs.
Organics can interact with chlorine and other disinfectants during disinfection
to generate hazardous DBP (DBP reduction).
To comply with standards, DBP-compliant drinking water plants must measure
TOC in raw and processed water to calculate TOC percent removal.
The amount of dissolved organic carbon in drinking water can also alter its
odor, taste, and appearance.
3) Dairy Industry
A TOC Analyser can reveal possible product loss to wastewater at each stage
of dairy processing (when milk is turned into products such as cheese or
butter), assisting in process control.
The facility can ensure that it complies with its regulatory discharge limit by
measuring TOC at the end of the procedure.

8. Monitoring the milk fats that leave the plant in the effluent can help to reduce
product loss and wastewater treatment expenses, resulting in more revenue.
4) Industrial Boilers
The condensate from the heat exchangers in boilers must be monitored for
TOC.
To prevent damage, if the TOC levels in the condensate are too high, the
condensate must be routed away from the boiler.
Continuous TOC monitoring enables operators to make timely adjustments,
avoiding equipment damage, production downtime, and revenue losses.
5) Cooling Towers
Measuring the TOC of the source and make-up water before it enters the heat
exchangers ensures that no organics that could damage the equipment are
present.
Checking the TOC of the water after cooling guarantees that the heat
exchanger has not leaked contaminants into the water that is being delivered
to the receiving water body.
6) Storm Water Treatment
The treatment of stormwater is guided by TOC levels.
If the TOC levels are normal, the water is directly dumped into a canal. If the
TOC levels are too high, the stormwater is redirected into a retention pond
before being treated at a wastewater treatment plant.
Monitoring TOC assists industrial facilities in adhering to stormwater rules.
What are the Applications of TOC Analysis?
A) TOC Analyser in the Water Supply Industry
Since the early 1970s, Total Organic Carbon Analysis has been used to
monitor water quality in the water supply business.

9. Organic carbon can be found in source waters as a result of decaying natural
organic materials like human acid or amines, as well as manmade sources
like fertilizers and detergents.
TOC analysis can estimate the presence of these contaminants in the water
supply, allowing them to be treated for disinfection in water treatment plants.
The reaction of the source water with chloride-containing disinfectants results
in chlorinate disinfection by-products.
Furthermore, the presence of organic carbon is an essential characteristic in
determining the quality of organic shale resources, which is one of the most
important unconventional fuels.
B) TOC Analyser in the Pharmaceutical industry
TOC analysis is regarded as a critical technique for measuring water purity by
many pharmaceutical companies.
High-purity water is a critical component in the pharmaceutical manufacturing
process.
It must therefore be ensured that any bacteria or alternative organic
compounds are eliminated so that product quality is not harmed and they are
safe for consumption.
Furthermore, Total Carbon Analysis can validate the cleanliness of
pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, which is critical in avoiding product
contamination.
Total organic carbon analysis is now required at all stages of the
pharmaceutical industry, according to organizations such as the United States
Pharmacopoeia.
Selecting the Best TOC Analysis Technique to use
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis is widely used to determine organics in
water as an indicator of water cleanliness.

10. TOC analysis is used in a wide range of applications, including ultrapure water
in the electronics and pharmaceutical industries, as well as drinking water
safety and municipal and industrial wastewater discharge.
TOC determination methods include Heated Persulfate, UV/Persulfate, and
High-Temperature Combustion Oxidation.
The detection of carbon dioxide produced during the oxidation step is another
critical step in the measurement.
With so many methods for determining total organic carbon available, it can
be difficult to know which one is best for your application(s).
The TOC Analyzer employs two main analytical methods: high-temperature
catalytic combustion oxidation and UV-persulfate oxidation.
Carbon in the sample is converted into CO2 in both methods, which is then
measured with a CO2-specific Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) detector.
In this section, we will examine the differences between the two methods as
well as the types of applications to which they are best suited.
Catalytic Combustion Oxidation TOC Analyser
Carbon is converted into CO2 in catalytic combustion systems by injecting the
sample with an oxygen-rich carrier gas into a catalyst-packed tube that is
typically heated to 680°C -1000°C. After that, the CO2 is swept into the NDIR
detector for measurement.
The catalyst speeds up the oxidation process and allows it to occur at lower
temperatures than non-catalytic combustion.
With a detection limit of 50 parts per billion (ppb), this system is capable of
measuring much higher concentrations up to 20,000 parts per million (ppm).
This method is especially useful for samples containing particulates,
difficult-to-oxidize matrices, or salt. Typical applications include wastewater
and surface water treatment, as well as drinking water treatment.
UV-Persulfate oxidation TOC Analyser

11. The oxidation of UV-persulfate is a wet chemical process. Before going to the
NDIR detector, a sparged sample is passed to a UV reactor and oxidized in
solution by sodium persulphate in combination with UV radiation.
The UV-Persulfate approach has detection limits as low as 5 (ppb) and is thus
well suited for low-level TOC analysis.
It is typically used to measure low amounts of contamination in the
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and electronic sectors, as well as to monitor
drinking water.
It is not suited for seawater or other samples with a high chloride content
because the chloride reacts with the persulphate, lowering oxidation
effectiveness dramatically.
It is also unsuitable for samples containing a high concentration of particles.
In Conclusion
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) is considered to be an essential parameter when
it comes to the analysis of environmental and water quality, which tends to
give out a lot of valuable insights into the organic content of numerous
aqueous systems.
It conforms to a comprehensive measure of the concentration of organic
carbon compounds, which can genuinely have significant implications for
environmental monitoring, water treatment, and the overall soundness of our
ecosystems.
Having a clear and precise knowledge of TOC levels is crucial for evaluating
water quality, determining pollution sources, and confirming the safety of
drinking water.
In today's time, as we persist in confronting increasing environmental
challenges and problems associated with water quality, the proficiency and
monitoring of TOC will hang around to be indispensable in our endeavors to
safeguard and sustainably handle our precious water resources.
Key Takeaways

12. ● Total organic carbon (TOC) is defined as a measurement of the total
carbon content in organic compounds within an element or sample.
● It is widely utilized to examine the quality of water and soil, as higher
TOC can demonstrate contamination or pollution.
● Total organic carbon analysis is considered to be essential in different
industries, which include food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and
environmental monitoring.
● Various methods, such as UV oxidation, combustion, and persulfate
digestion, are utilized to specify TOC levels.
● TOC measurements are essential for compliance with regulatory
standards and for strengthening product quality in numerous
applications.
● TOC can be utilized to assess the efficiency of wastewater treatment
procedures and to monitor water quality in natural ecosystems.
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