What Is a Total Organic Carbon Analyzer & How It Works
19/01/2026
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Total organic carbon analyzer explained: how it measures water purity and detects organic contamination accurately.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzers are analytical instruments used to measure the amount of organic carbon in water and liquid samples. They are essential for monitoring water quality, validating cleaning processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance in laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and industrial applications.
The Fusion Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzer utilizes powerful Ultra Violet (UV) Persulfate oxidation allowing superior carbon liberation from even the most challenging matrixes. By implementing the patented Static Pressure Concentration (SPC) technology, the Fusion TOC Analyzer is able to achieve unprecedented lowend sensitivity from a Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) detector.
The Fusion TOC Analyzer measures carbon content in water and aqueous solutions using UV-promoted persulfate oxidation and NDIR detection. It delivers high sensitivity from 0.2 ppbC to 4,000 ppmC, supporting accurate and reliable TOC analysis.
The system supports multiple carbon measurements through predefined methods:
Total Carbon (TC)
Inorganic Carbon (IC)
Total Organic Carbon (TOC = TC − IC)
Non-Purgeable Organic Carbon (NPOC)
Inorganic carbon is removed by acidification and sparging before oxidation. Organic carbon is then fully oxidised to CO₂ in a UV reactor using persulfate reagent. The resulting CO₂ is measured by a high-precision NDIR detector operating under static pressure for improved sensitivity and accuracy.
TOCTekLink™ software automates instrument operation, processes detector signals, and calculates results using multi-point calibration for consistent and traceable reporting.
Ideal for:
Complies with major international standards, including EPA, ASTM, Standard Methods, and USP TOC <643> / EP / JP requirements.
The Fusion has a standard 40mL vial, 75-position integrated autosampler with an arm and carousel for position selection. Optional carousels are available with 90-position; 55mL vials or 120-position; 20mL vials.
The UV reactor is composed of a glass vessel and a UV light source. The Fusion introduces the sample and persulfate reagent into the UV reactor. The persulfate reagent, combined with UV light, oxidizes carbon in the sample. Tekmar’s improved UV reactor increases sample conservation and improves radiation interaction with water samples and oxidant.
The detector, which measures CO2, can be affected by halogens. To prevent analytical errors, the halogen scrubber removes chlorine and other halogens from the CO2 before it enters the detector.
It allows for the use of vial caps with a septa thus eliminating sample exposure time to the atmosphere.
The syringe driver is a precision measuring instrument that draws in and dispenses fluid. The syringe driver has a volume delivery range of 125µL to 25mL and sample delivery between 2mL and 10mL depending on the applied method.
Consists of a mist trap and permeation dryer, both of which are designed to remove moisture from the sample. After oxidation of the sample, carrier gas sweeps CO2 and water vapor out of the UV reaction chamber. Next, the CO2 travels through the mist trap, where most of the moisture is collected and removed. The gases then travel to the permeation dryer, which removes the rest of the moisture from the sample gas.
Glass fritted vessel that holds the sample while purging the Inorganic Carbon (IC) out of the sample and preparing it for analysis. After the addition of acid, purge gas flows through the sparger, removing the IC from the sample. The Fusion can report IC for both IC only and TC-IC modes, or vent it into the atmosphere while in the TOC mode.
The patented MFC regulates either flow or pressure depending on the mode of operation. It allows for higher flows for clean up between samples and allows the user to optimize the sparge flow for each sample. Because of the MFC, the instrument automatically validates the system integrity by recording the pressure each time a sample is run. The MFC also performs pneumatic integrity tests on valves to make sure they are leak tight.
This intelligent feature detects when a sample is out of range and will dilute it back to within the calibration range. Intellidilution also has the ability to meet individual analytical needs due to pre-set ranges (non-dilution methods only).
Using a single stock solution, the system will automatically dilute final volumes based on the users linearizing concentration requirements, thus eliminating the need for multiple manual preparations of the calibration standard concentration levels. This feature eliminates the likelihood of human error and minimizes labor time.
After the sample oxidizes, it is swept into the detector and pressurized with carrier gas ensuring the entire sample is present. The Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) detector then measures the concentration of carbon dioxide. As a whole, this patented sensing technology enables the Fusion to reach new levels of detection required by todays demanding analytical requirements.
A TOC Analyzer (Total Organic Carbon Analyzer) is an analytical instrument used to measure the amount of organic carbon in water and liquid samples. It helps laboratories and industries monitor water quality, detect organic contamination, and ensure compliance with environmental and pharmaceutical regulations.
A TOC Analyzer measures the total amount of organic carbon in water or liquid samples. In Malaysia, it is commonly used to monitor water purity, detect organic contamination, and support regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical, environmental, and industrial applications.
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer are widely used in:
Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Environmental and water testing laboratories
Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing
Power generation and industrial facilities
Universities and research institutions
These industries rely on TOC testing to ensure water quality and process control.
Total Organic Carbon Analyzer can analyse:
Purified water and Water for Injection (WFI)
Process and cooling water
Wastewater and environmental water
Cleaning validation rinse samples
The exact capability depends on the analyzer configuration and method used.
Modern Total Organic Carbon Analyzer typically use:
UV persulfate oxidation
High-temperature combustion
UV persulfate is widely preferred for pharmaceutical and environmental applications due to safety, accuracy, and low maintenance.
Yes. Total Organic Carbon analysis is a preferred method for pharmaceutical cleaning validation because it detects a wide range of organic residues in a single test and complies with USP and EP guidelines.
Total organic carbon analyzer explained: how it measures water purity and detects organic contamination accurately.
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