Total organic carbon analysis

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring carbon (any one or all of TC, TOC, or TIC) in a sample matrix. In an embodiment, a method for measuring carbon in a sample composition is provided. The method comprises providing an apparatus comprising a reaction chamber and a diamond coated electrode, wherein the diamond coated electrode is doped with boron. The apparatus further comprises a detector. In addition, the method comprises contacting the sample composition with the electrode. The method further comprises applying an alternating current to the electrode at a sufficient voltage to produce carbon dioxide. Moreover, the method comprises measuring the amount of carbon dioxide produced.

1 . An apparatus for measuring carbon in a sample composition, comprising: 
 a reaction chamber;    a diamond coated electrode, wherein the diamond coated electrode is doped with a doping material;    and a detector.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising two electrodes.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises an inner element and an outer element.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the inner element comprises a rod, and the outer element comprises a tube.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the inner element comprises a mesh tube, and wherein the outer element comprises a mesh tube.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the electrode comprises an insulator disposed between the inner element and the outer element.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the doping material is boron.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises a gas phase detector.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a gas diffusion membrane and a collection chamber.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the gas diffusion membrane allows carbon dioxide to diffuse from the reaction chamber to the collection chamber.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the detector is disposed in the collection chamber.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a carbon dioxide trap.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an alternating current voltage is applied to the electrode.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the alternating current voltage is applied at a frequency between about 1 Hz and about 100 Hz.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the alternating current voltage is applied from about 5 volts to about 300 volts.  
   
   
       16 . A method for measuring carbon in a sample composition, comprising: 
 (A) providing an apparatus comprising: a reaction chamber; a diamond coated electrode, wherein the diamond coated electrode is doped with a doping material; and a detector;    (B) contacting the sample composition with the electrode;    (C) applying an alternating current to the electrode at a sufficient voltage to produce carbon dioxide; and    (D) measuring the amount of carbon dioxide produced.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus comprises two electrodes.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the electrode comprises an inner element and an outer element.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the inner element comprises a rod, and the outer element comprises a tube.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the inner element comprises a mesh tube, and wherein the outer element comprises a mesh tube.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the electrode comprises an insulator disposed between the inner element and the outer element.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the doping material is boron.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising feeding a carrier gas to the reaction chamber at a sufficient rate to transport the carbon dioxide to the detector.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step (C) further comprises diffusing the carbon dioxide through a gas diffusion membrane to a collection chamber.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising feeding a carrier gas to the collection chamber at a sufficient rate to transport the carbon dioxide to the detector.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the detector is disposed in the collection chamber.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising trapping the carbon dioxide prior to measuring the amount of carbon dioxide.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein step (D) further comprises measuring the amount of carbon dioxide with a liquid phase detector.