Organic Carbon Detector

Carrier gas (Nitrogen) enters the reactor in the upper third of the reactor. The gas is split, about two third is flowing upwards and picks up inorganic carbon dioxide, i.e. carbon dioxide released from carbonic salts upon acidification. This gas is released through an outlet hidden behind the reactor. The other one third of the carrier gas flows downwards and picks up the organic carbon dioxide, i.e. the carbon dioxide released upon oxidation. This gas leaves the reactor at an outlet found at the lower end of the reactor (Organic Carbon Flow, OC).

Both gas flows are then entering special condensers to remove a defined amount of moisture. This is necessary to prevent condensation of moist, which would cause damage to the IR-cuvette or an increase in back pressure of the IC, which then would automatically affect the OC flow. Both gas flows are defined by capillary restrictors to maintain a defined reactor inner pressure.

To maintain a constant flow of gas entering the reactor, a mass-flow controller (MFC) is used. The flow is pre-set at 180 – 240 sccm.

Another very important feature is, that the reactor operates with constant pressure, temperature and volume. No valves are used. This means that the residence time of the measuring gas in the IR cuvette is extremely stable. This allows high-sensitivity analysis even in the sub-ppb-range.

The mobile phase solution and the acidification solution enter the reactor at the upper end where they become mixed by means of Teflon pins placed inside a rotating quartz cylinder.

The upper third of the reactor is UV-shielded and the counter-current IC flow strips all carbon dioxide which was either already present, or was formed by acidification from carbonate salts, hence all inorganic carbon. The residence time of the solution in this area is about 20 seconds.

The solution continues its way down the inner side of the reactor mantle (gravity-driven) and enters the UV-exposed area where the carrier gas in co-flow direction downwards picks up carbon dioxide released by oxidation (hence organic carbon, OC). The residence time in the UV-exposed area is about 60 sec.

The exact position of the gas inlet is such that in a small area the co-flow direction is within the UV-shielded area to prevent a break-through of IC into the OC flow.
This carbon dioxide is quantified in the NDIR cuvette.

The thinness of the liquid film and the active stirring by the Teflon pins guarantees a rapid oxidation and stripping process. This is the unique feature of the Graentzel reactor, that both reactions are performed quantitatively and in relatively short time. This is necessary to be able to use the system as a chromatographic detector.

After oxidation the liquid passes a siphon. The height of the siphon compared to the sump defines the pressure inside the reactor. The waste is sent to a condensate pump to remove the waste via a sink in the laboratory or a tank. The level of the sink can be about 1.5 m above the reservoir.