MCS

PRIMACS TOC
ANALYSER

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Preface:

This chapter includes safety precautions, principle of operation and

definitions.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-1

1 INTRODUCTION

Figure 1.1 Skalar Headquarters in Breda, The Netherlands

1.1 Skalar the company

Skalar was established in 1965 in Delft, The Netherlands, as a laboratory
instrument manufacturer. From the beginning, it was Skalars goal to excel
in the fields of automating frequently used manual analysis methods.
With the rapid acceptance of computers in the work place, Skalar has
developed several generations of software and hardware for its analysis
systems that provide fully automated control, calibration, calculations, and
data administration. The latest chemical, technical and automation
innovations have been incorporated into powerful wet-chemistry analysis
instruments that are second to none.
1.2 Product lines
The six complete product lines that have been developed are:
1.2.1 TOC/DOC/TN/Protein analysers
A range of analysers has been developed for high and low level TOC
analysis and TN analysis for solid and liquid samples. The analysers are
based on high temperature combustion or UV/persulfate oxidation
methods, with NDIR detection for TOC/DOC analysis and
chemiluminescence detection (liquids) or Thermal Conductivity detection
(solids) for TN analysis. The systems are fully automated, offering complete
TOC/DOC/TN/Protein analysis in a wide range of sample matrices (e.g.
water, soil, animal feed, sediments, food and beverages) for a number of
applications. The analyses meet international regulations as ISO-IEW,
EPA, Standard Methods, ASBC, AOAC, EBC, ASTM, etc.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-2

1.2.2 On-line Process analyser

The On-line Process analyser is developed for continuous on-line
measurement of the quality of industrial process streams. The
measurement is based on the segmented flow principle. A large selection
of applications is available including: Aluminum, Ammonia, Chloride,
Chromium, Cobalt, Color, Cyanide, Fluoride, Formaldehyde, Iron,
Manganese, Methanol, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Nitrogen, Phenol, Phosphate,
Silica, Sugars, TOC, Urea and Zinc. A new concept in continuous on-line
measurement is now available. In this concept the on-line sample is mixed
with reagents in a reaction vessel and then measured colorimetrically or by
ion-selective measurement.
1.2.3 SANplus Continuous Flow analyser
The SANplus Continuous Flow analyser is developed to automate frequently
used laboratory analysis methods for a large selection of applications
including: waters, soil & plants, beer & wort, food & beverages, fertilizers,
pharmaceuticals, tobacco, wine, detergents and many others. All Skalar
applications meet standardized methodology such as ISO, EPA, DIN,
Standard Methods, EBC, ASBC, etc. Some applications are: Aluminum,
Ammonia, Bitterness, Boron, Calcium, Citric Acid, Cyanide, Ethanol,
Fluoride, -Glucan, Hardness, Hydrogen sulfide, Iron, Magnesium,
Manganese, Methanol, Nitrate, Nitrite, Nitrogen, Phenol, Phosphate,
Potassium, Protein, Silica, Sugars, Sulfate, Sulfur dioxide, Urea, etc.
1.2.4 Robotic analysers
The Robotic analyser has been developed to automate tedious and routine
analyses that require mechanical, chemical and physical manipulations.
Each step of the manual procedure is carefully specified to the Robot,
incorporating both better efficiency and accuracy. A selection of
applications: B.O.D. (US EPA approved), C.O.D., pH (soil and water),
Turbidity, Color, Chloride and Conductivity. Several types of Robotic
analysers are available: SP10 with one probe without cap lifting, SP100 for
one probe with cap lifting or two probes, and SP1000 for two probes and
cap lifting.
1.2.5 Fluo-Imagers
The Fluo-Imagers series is developed for the measurement of organic
pollutants, like oil, phenols and PAH, in water. The measurement is based
on Spectral Fluorescent Signatures, which includes a library for the
recognition of several products, in the UV-range or in the visible range,
especially for algae pigments. Analysis can be performed in a laboratory
environment, but also a robust on-line analyser is available.
1.2.6 ToxTracer
The ToxTracer System is a quick screening method for aqueous samples
based on the inhibitory effect of toxic compounds on the light emission of
luminous bacteria. The assay can be accomplished within 30 minutes. It is
an acute toxicity test to control the drinking water, surface water,
wastewater, effluents and sediments.

The decision made by Skalar in the early eighties to expand brought about
the establishment of subsidiaries in France, Belgium, Germany, the United
Kingdom, Austria and the United States of America. Operating from this
base is a large international network of representatives.
.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-3

1.3 Safety precautions

Only qualified personnel should carry out repair of the exposed equipment.

1. The instrument is designed for laboratory use.

2. Before the instrument is connected to the mains and switched on,
check whether the required voltage (indicated on the type plate at the
back of the instrument) corresponds with the line voltage.
3. The instrument power cord must only be plugged into a line supply
outlet with ground protector (earth). If an extension cord is used, make
sure that the protector line is not interrupted.
4. Opening of the instrument or disassembling of parts of the instrument
can set free voltage carrying parts while the instrument is connected to
the mains. Also connectors could carry voltage. Before any service,
repair or change of parts, the instrument has to be disconnected from
all power supplies. Service and repair work on voltage carrying open
instruments should be avoided whenever possible. If such work is
absolutely necessary, qualified personnel, who are aware of the
hazards of this work, should carry it out.
5. Whenever it is likely that safe operation is impaired, the instrument
must be made inoperative and secured against unintended operation.
The appropriate servicing personnel must then be informed.
6. Never place the unit in an area where it will be exposed to extreme
heat, moisture or corrosive materials.
7. The instrument must be disconnected from all electrical sources when
a fuse is to be replaced.
8. Keep hands, jewelry, hair etc. from the inside of the instrument
whenever it is in operation.
9. The instrument should never be opened during operation as the interior
has hot areas, allow a one-hour cooling off period for maintenance
purpose.
10. The PrimacsMCS analyser must be correctly installed in a suitable
well-ventilated room and the gas input line must be checked to be gas
tight.

Skalar Analytical B.V. does not accept liability for any consequences
caused by irresponsible use or irresponsible handling of the instrument, nor
for the effects and consequences induced by its use.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-4

1.4 Introduction to the analytical procedure

One of the important indices of soil quality is the amount of organic
pollutants that can be expressed in Total Organic Carbon (TOC).
The PRIMACSMCS TOC analyser is designed for the determination of TOC
in solids like soils, sediments and sludges. The separate determination of
Total Carbon (TC) and Inorganic Carbon (IC) allows an exact estimation of
TOC by the differential method. The PRIMACSMCS TOC analyser is an add-
on modular instrument where the analysis of solids takes place, and is used
in combination with a Formacs liquid analyser (LT or HT) where the
detection of the carbon dioxide takes place. This offers an economical
solution to environmental laboratories for TOC analysis with a majority of
aqueous samples and a minority of solid samples.

1.5 Definitions
Total Carbon (TC)
TC is defined as the total amount of carbon present in a sample originating
from both organic and inorganic components. TC is represented as the total
mass of carbon per amount of sample. (TC = TOC + IC)
Inorganic Carbon (IC)
IC is defined as the inorganic carbon content in a sample that after
acidification, turns into carbon dioxide. For soils the IC fraction is largely
associated with carbonate minerals. (IC = TC TOC).
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
TOC is defined as the organic carbon of a sample that is converted into
carbon dioxide after oxidation. TOC is the difference between TC and IC
i.e. TOC = TC-IC.
Non Purgeable Organic Carbon (NPOC)
NPOC is the carbon that remains in a solution after the sample has been
acidified and purged with aid of a gas flow. NPOC is often reported as TOC
as many popular methods require acidification and purging of the IC before
analysis. NPOC = TOC - POC.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-5

1.6 Operating principle

Figure 1.2 PrimacsMCS with Formacs analyzer and sampler

To determine the amount of carbon, the instrument utilizes the following

methods:
A. TC Analysis
The determination of total carbon (TC) is based on the empty tube
combustion method. A (quartz) crucible with sample (a solid sample
weighed with the aid of an external balance) is placed in the TC port. Then
the sample is vertically introduced into the combustion zone with a
temperature of 1100C. In the presence of a catalyst (cobalt oxide) all
organically and inorganically bound carbon is oxidized or decomposed in
the flow of pure oxygen into the gaseous carbon dioxide. The flow of
oxygen transports the carbon dioxide via the IC module and collection
vessels in the instrument to the IR detector in the Formacs analyser. The
carbon dioxide is measured at 4.2 m by IR detection and recalculated to
the total carbon content according to the calibration by the standards.
B. IC Analysis
A second analysis of the sample (a solid sample weighed into a test tube
with the aid of an external balance) is performed in the low temperature IC
reactor chamber (120C-130C). Acid is added to the sample to
decompose the inorganically bound carbon to the gaseous carbon dioxide.
The flow of oxygen purges the carbon dioxide from the liquid via the
condensate trap and collection vessels in the instrument into the IR
detector in the Formacs analyser to be measured again.
In this way the concentration of the total organic carbon can be calculated
by subtracting the result of the low temperature measurement (B) from the
high temperature (A). TOC = TC IC. The automatic calculation is obtained
with the aid of the software program. This improves the accuracy and the
speed in result presentation.
The basic flow diagram of both TC and IC in the analyser is displayed in
Figure 1.3.
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-6

Figure 1.3 Basic flow diagram for TC and IC

PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-7

1.7 WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM

The warranty period is 12 months and starts on the date of shipment. To
activate the warranty, please return the signed warranty registration form by
the Skalar Service Desk. The warranty registration form should be received
within 2 months from the shipment date.
Warranty is ex Skalar Analytical BV and does not include traveling,
expenses and working hours at customers location.
Warranty is subject to the following exception(s): Glassware breakage.
Consumable products, brokerage and transport costs for the replacement
parts replaced under the warranty are to the clients account. Skalar will not
be responsible for malfunctioning of the instrument if third party
components are used in the instrument.
All Skalar contracts are according General terms and conditions for the
Instrument branch as issued by FHI Het Instrument, which are available on
request.
REGISTRATION FOR WARRANTY:

Purchase order no.:

Serial no.:
Date of purchase:
Distributor:
Company name:
Address:
Post code/ZIP
City
Country:
Contact person:
Telephone number:
Fax number:
E-mail address:
Company stamp:
Name:
Signature:
The warranty registration form will only be valid when accompanied by the
signed customer acceptance form.
Please return this form to:
SKALAR ANALYTICAL B.V.
PO Box 3237
4800 DE Breda
The Netherlands
Attn.: Service desk
Date:
PrimacsMCS TOC Analyser Chapter 1 Introduction 1-9

1.8 CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE FORM

Company name:
Address:
Post code/ZIP code:
City:
Country:
Date:

The undersigned authorized officer confirms that the performance of the

instrument, as per the purchase order number as mentioned on the
warranty registration form, is according to the specifications as submitted
by the manufacturer.

YES

NO

Remarks:

Signature
Name