Naturally occurring organics in raw water are typically removed with chemicals. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzers in the water treatment system can alert technicians when generic organic material is present but cannot differentiate between natural organics, such as algae or decomposed plant matter, and hydrocarbons. Using UV fluorescence technology, a properly configured TD-4100XD can alert operators to upsets caused by hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, and crude oil.
The TD-4100 utilizes a non-fouling, non-contact flow cell which requires little to no maintenance, and uses fluorescence technology to accurately detect oil in water from low ppb to high ppm. For this application, the TD-4100 monitors oil in water at 1 to 5 ppm and signals an operator with an alarm when the concentration exceeds the high alarm relay set-point.
The economic advantage of continuous discharge could only be achieved at this location by meeting strict discharge limits for the level of hydrocarbons present in the discharged water. Local ordinances required continuous monitoring for continuous discharge of the company’s treated wastewater.
A plant located in the eastern United States manufactures phenolic resin for applications in plastics molding. This plant uses well water for cooling its reaction process and then discharges the water into a local creek.
A major pipeline company has large storage tank farms throughout the Western States. The pipeline company transports, stores, blends additives, and distributes gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel to retail service stations and airports. Due to the quantity and movement of fuel at these facilities, there is always the potential for fuel spills.
Various processes onboard ships, such as machinery wash-down, maintenance, and leakage, generate oily wastewater. This contaminated water flow collects in the bilge of the ship. Marine diesel, lubricating oils, grease, as well as other contaminants may be present in bilge water. The bilge water is discharged overboard, with oil and grease concentrations in the discharged water limited by national and international regulations.
Optical instruments called fluorometers can very easily detect and measure dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons in water, and at very low concentrations. As shown in the study below, TD-4100 series monitors are able to measure xylene continuously over four consecutive weeks with a direct correlation coefficient of 0.9967 compared to GC grab sample analysis.
Ideally, a continuous online monitor would be used for collecting data to determine upset frequencies, duration and normal conditions. Many of the SWD facilities and demonstration plants do not have a budget that allows for continuous monitoring. However, high frequency sample analysis can be performed on site, using a portable analyzer. Easy to use, low cost field analyzers, such as the TD-500D, are essential for optimizing the effectiveness of treatment systems during pilot studies and meeting a budget that...
The TD-4100XD, with its UV fluorescence technology and non-contact flow cell, has very strong advantages over any other oil in water monitor for this application.
Fluorescence-based oil in water monitors from Turner Designs Hydrocarbon Instruments have been used extensively in industrial water processes for more than 20 years. These low maintenance fluorescence monitors have no significant measurement disturbance from water turbidity or naturally occurring organics in the water. Oil in water monitors can help detect and prevent major oil spills that may cause significant environmental damage and regulatory compliance infractions.
