NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : A Novel Handy, Highly Efficient Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzer

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

Space station requires the monitoring of organic contaminants in drinking water for astronautS and ultra pure water for other space experiments. The development of a highly efficient, handy monitor for the measurement of total organic carbon (TOC) in water which requires no chemical reagents, and gravity-dependent components is needed. The analyzer proposed here is based on a combination of (1) a novel electrochemical cell, which provides low-pH zone within a foam-type inert anode for the conversion of inorganic carbon to carbon dioxide, (2) a highly efficient, compact titanium dioxide photo-catalytic oxidizer, and (3) a selective, conductometric detector of carbon dioxide with a gas-permeable membrane. Whole system completely avoids the use of any chemical reagents or parts, which need periodical replacement. Quartz-fiber foam material with permanent titanium dioxide coating provides good transmission of the UV light and a large catalytic surface area for the oxidation, so that high efficiency could be achieved. This proposed light weight and compact TOC analyzer, which requires no consumable reagents and parts, will be an ideal candidate for monitoring organic contamination of water in space stations.

This highly sensitive analyzer of total organic is suitable for space station application. Since the apparatus is relatively inexpensive to build, and requires no reagents, it could be very applicable in the microelectronics, pharmaceutical, power generation, and other industries, which use the ultra pure water.

Charles L. Tennakoon
Lynntech, Inc.
7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 105
College Station, Texas 77840

Lynntech, Inc.
7610 Eastmark Drive, Suite 105
College Station, TX 77840