Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzers are a mainstay of environmental and quality control chemistry. TOC, a crucial metric in many processes, may arise from a combination of living or dead organisms or chemical contamination. Its measurement can serve as a surrogate for more difficult measurements or a screen for further analysis.
Top 5 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a TOC Analyzer
- Is the TOC technology suitable for your specific application or water conditions? Many TOC technologies may be suitable only for waters with a narrow range of organic or inorganic contaminants.
- Are different models available to meet your current and future sampling needs (i.e. online, portable, laboratory)? Do these models use similar technology to simplify method transfer or data comparability from lab to online?
- Does the company offer the documentation and support necessary to help meet applicable industry or government regulations?
- What is the company’s level of experience supporting sales of TOC analyzers in your specific industry? Do they understand the unique challenges specific to your application?
- What type of service, applications, and technical support are available during and after the purchasing process?
Types of TOC Analyzer used by survey respondents:
| Benchtop | 94% |
| Portable | 12% |
| Online | 12% |
Methods used by survey respondents to detect CO2:
| Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) | 52% |
| Direct Conductometric (Non-Selective Conductometric) | 27% |
| Membrane Conductometric Detection (Selective Conductometric) | 19% |
| Other | 10% |
Over 54 % of respondents are engaged in purchasing a new TOC analyzer. The reasons for these purchases are as follows:
 | Replacement of an aging system | 41% |  |
 | Addition to existing systems, increase capacity | 16% | |
 | Setting up a new lab | 13% | |
 | First time purchase | 13% | |
 | Other | 16% |
Top 10 features/factors respondents look for when purchasing a titrator:
| Accuracy and performance of results | 90% |
| Ease-of-use | 80% |
| Service and support provided by vendor | 54% |
| Warranty | 53% |
| Easy access to UV lamp with diagnostics and lamp expiration alarm | 50% |
| Low maintenance costs | 46% |
| Continuous analysis and rapid display updates | 44% |
| Ease of installation | 41% |
| Automated self-diagnosis tools | 38% |
| Speed of analysis | 36% |
For more information on titrators, including useful articles and a list of manufacturers, visit www.labmanager.com/TOC-analyzers
