Project Title:
Reagentless Water Quality Monitor (Organic Content)
12.01-2484
Reagentless Water Quality Monitor (Organic Content)
Astro Resources International Corp.
100 Park Avenue
League City
TX
77573
Ejzak
Edward M.
NAS9-17612
Amount:
JSC
NAS9-17282
Abstract:
The innovation being investigated is a reagentless Total Organic CarbonAnalyzer that can determine quantitative TOC values on a wide variety of organic
inputs.
Based on all information available to date (including Phase I results), the best
way to analyze a water sample for TOC is still oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2).
The chosen method of oxidation is high energy ultraviolet light irradiation at elevated
temperatures with subsequent gas sparing to remove CO2. This is followed by gas-liquid
separation and gas analysis for CO2 in a specialized Infrared Analyzer (IRA) which
is free of water interference.
The results and conclusions of Phase I efforts include: (1) "Delta" conductivity
analysis for quantitative CO2 measurement after oxidation is not acceptable. (2)
Added heat improves UV promoted oxidation. (3) Reagentless TOC analysis of typical
NASA water samples at 5PPM TOC or less is possible given enough UV energy, heat input,
and time.
Phase II approach is to characterize and improve the technique. Also, the specific
problems of sparging and gas-liquid separation at zero gravity, speed of response,
NASA water recovery system interface, computer interface/control, IRA response, power
consumption, and size will be investigated.