Development of an On-Line Organic Analyzer for the MUST Water Processing Element.

A continuous organics monitor is required for the MUST water processing element in order to monitor the organics level of the treated effluent and to initiate process control action. The long-range objective of this program is the development of a simple, reliable, compact, low-cost TOC analyzer capable of continuously monitoring clean MUST waste streams. As a first step in this development, a breadboard TOC monitor was designed, assembled, and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of using a continuous sample flow rate rather than discrete sample injections as used in most commercially available TOC analyzers. Based on calibration tests with potassium hydrogen phthalate, it is concluded that the accuracy, linearity, and sensitivity of the breadboard TOC monitor are comparable to those of commercially available TOC analyzers. Thus, the concept of continuous sample flow has been demonstrated. Operation of the breadboard TOC monitor indicated the need for a number of design and process modifications to improve the reliability and performance of the instrument.