Sievers InnovOx TOC Analyzer in chemical manufacturing

The Sievers InnovOx is an important tool to help you maintain optimum process control and product quality.

Chemical Manufacturing

Monitoring TOC in Process water

The ultimate goal of chemical manufacturers is to release water that meets regulatory requirements for impurities, or to clean the wastewater for reuse. The treatment and cleaning process involves both physical and chemical treatment.

The first step in cleaning water is to remove suspended solids.The next step is to chemically treat the water to minimize release of hazardous chemicals or bacteria into the environment.

If a process is not properly controlled, this can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line. Improperly treated water can damage the materials that come in contact with the water such as delivery pipes or holding tanks. Water that has been inefficiently treated can also cause plant shutdowns, waste stream diversion, or even re-treatment of stream. All of these consequences are expensive and undesirable.

An influent waste stream, or the “loaded” water, is initially tested for TOC. This is considered a baseline reading so the treatment facility has an idea of its starting organic load. This will determine how much organic carbon is in the stream and will dictate the amount of chemicals and filtration necessary to treat the water. The effluent, or the “clean” water, is tested again. By monitoring the effluent, the treatment facility will know if their chemical dosing is effective. A treatment facility can slowly reduce or modify their chemical usage to see the effect on the effluent stream.

TOC in Boiler and Cooling Tower Water

Corrosion in boiler systems can quickly result in tube failure and plant shutdown.  A properly operating de-aerator and an appropriate chemical program will greatly extend boiler life by addressing this corrosion problem.  This is accomplished with both mechanical and chemical means.

One of the most common monitoring techniques used is measuring and controlling incoming water hardness and iron.  By maintaining optimum water chemistry, the potential for deposits and scaling is greatly minimized.

A boiler system has several key components that are each susceptible to corrosion, which can cause boiler inefficiency. By monitoring TOC in the boiler water, the system integrity can be monitored and corrected before any detrimental consequences occur. Most plants set maximum limits for TOC in boiler feedwater with the level depending on boiler pressure. Typically, the lower the pressure, the lower the purity requirements. The majority of organic compounds found naturally in water can be removed by physical processes like ultrafiltration or by ion exchange. Some organic compounds, however, require additional steps for their removal or destruction.

The Sievers InnovOx TOC Analyzer helps chemical manufacturers optimize boiler performance, which is essential to minimizing preventative maintenance and maximizing profitability.