TOC, COD & SAC Analyzers

TOC, COD & SAC Analyzers

TOC, COD, and SAC analyzers are sum-parameter instruments used to quantify organic load in surface water, municipal wastewater, and industrial wastewater. They report total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and spectral absorption coefficient (SAC), enabling continuous assessment of influent variability, treatment performance, and discharge compliance with faster response than laboratory programs alone.

These measurements support both compliance assurance and process optimization. Outlet monitoring provides documentation against regulatory limits. Inlet monitoring helps detect load peaks early and supports proactive control strategies that protect biological stages and clarify chemical dosing requirements. Endress+Hauser also links “true” TOC/COD measurements to capacity assessment and billing logic aligned to the polluter-pays principle.

Technology selection depends on whether true values or cost-efficient equivalents are needed. TOC and COD analyzers are used when precise analysis is required for limit compliance and process accountability, while SAC probes are positioned for surface water and river monitoring and for COD/TOC-equivalent measurement where municipal wastewater conditions are comparatively stable. This enables tuning between accuracy, complexity, and operating cost.

The category includes multiple measurement principles. COD is commonly determined through colorimetric digestion and photometric evaluation (e.g., dichromate method), while TOC can be measured via high-temperature catalytic combustion with NDIR CO₂ detection. SAC uses UV absorption behavior (e.g., measurement at 254 nm with reference wavelength correction) to infer organic load without reagents. Supporting components such as sample conditioning (including strainers and homogenization) improve representativeness, and Liquiline System CA80 can be expanded with additional Memosens sensors for broader context without adding separate transmitters.

Typical applications include industrial discharge monitoring, municipal influent/effluent load management, surface water and river surveillance, treatment process optimization to avoid shock loading, validation of pretreatment effectiveness, and audit-ready reporting where continuous organic load measurement improves confidence versus sparse sampling schedules.

Miller Mechanical Specialties, an exclusive authorized representative of sales and service for Endress+Hauser.