ASTM D7573-18ae1 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Total Carbon and Organic Carbon in Water by High Temperature Catalytic Combustion and Infrared Detection (designation ASTM D7573-18ae1). The method specifies high-temperature catalytic combustion of water samples and quantification of resulting CO2 by non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detection to determine TC, IC, TOC, DOC and NPOC across a wide range of water matrices.

Abstract

This standard describes the injection of a water sample into a combustion tube heated ≥680 °C with a catalyst to convert carbonaceous material to CO2, followed by measurement with an NDIR detector. It defines procedures for measuring total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and non-purgable organic carbon (NPOC), and gives validated concentration ranges and application notes for various water matrices. The edition includes editorial amendments (ae1).

General information

• Status: Active / Published edition with editorial amendment (ae1).
• Publication date: December 15, 2018 (published/issued Jan 2019 with ae1 editorial update noted in January 2019).
• Publisher: ASTM International (ASTM).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 — Examination of water for chemical substances.
• Edition / version: D7573-18ae1 (revision of D7573-18; includes ae1 editorial change).
• Number of pages: 8 pages.

Key bibliographic details above are drawn from the ASTM/ANSI document summaries and standards distributors.

Scope

This test method covers determination of TC, IC, TOC, DOC and NPOC in drinking water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater and seawater. Validated measurement range is nominally 0.5 mg/L to 50 mg/L carbon, with options (smaller injection volume or dilution) to extend the measurable range up to thousands of mg/L. The standard is applicable to carbonaceous matter that can be introduced into the analyzer injection system; particle size is limited by syringe/ injector openings. Users must verify applicability for untested matrices and concentration ranges.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement parameters: total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC/TIC/DIC), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), non-purgable organic carbon (NPOC).
• Analytical principle: high-temperature (≥680 °C) catalytic combustion to CO2 with NDIR detection of CO2.
• Sample handling: protocols for aliquot injection, acidification and purging (for IC removal), and calculation of TOC = TC − IC.
• Validated concentration range (typical): 0.5–50 mg/L (procedures for higher concentrations via dilution or reduced injection volume up to ~4000 mg/L documented).
• Limitations: only carbon species that can be introduced into the reaction zone are measured; particulate size/load and matrix effects must be considered and validated by the user.
• Precision/accuracy: interlaboratory and intralaboratory studies and precision statements accompany the method (research reports available separately).

These topics are summarized from the official test method and accompanying document history.

Typical use and users

Used by environmental laboratories, water utilities, wastewater treatment facilities, research laboratories, instrument manufacturers and regulatory/monitoring groups for routine and process-control measurement of carbon content in diverse water matrices. Typical applications include drinking water quality monitoring, surface and groundwater studies, wastewater process control, and marine/coastal water analysis.

Related standards

Standards and methods addressing similar or complementary carbon/nitrogen analyses include ASTM D5904 (UV–persulfate oxidation and membrane conductivity detection for TC/IC/TOC), ASTM D4839 (UV or persulfate oxidation with IR detection), ASTM D4129 (high-temperature oxidation with coulometric detection), and ASTM D8083 (high-temperature combustion methods for total nitrogen) — several of these are developed under the same ASTM D19 committee and are commonly referenced together for comprehensive water quality characterization.

Keywords

TOC, TC, IC, DOC, NPOC, high-temperature catalytic combustion, NDIR, water analysis, seawater, wastewater, environmental monitoring, ASTM D7573.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D7573-18ae1 is a standardized test method that specifies how to determine total carbon and organic carbon in water by converting carbon to CO2 via high-temperature catalytic combustion and measuring CO2 with an NDIR detector.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement procedures for TC, IC, TOC, DOC and NPOC in drinking water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater and seawater; validated concentration ranges and guidance on sample injection, acidification/purging of IC, and calculation of organic carbon. Users are responsible for validating the method on untested matrices or non-validated concentration ranges.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and analytical laboratories, water and wastewater utilities, instrument manufacturers, regulatory bodies and researchers involved in water-quality monitoring and process control.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D7573-18ae1 edition is the edited/ae1 version based on the 2018 revision; it includes an editorial update (ae1). Users should confirm whether a more recent revision has been published for compliance purposes before relying on the method for regulatory work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of a family of ASTM D19 water-analysis methods for carbon and nutrient parameters (for example D5904, D4839, D4129, and related D8083 for nitrogen). These complementary standards cover alternative oxidation/detection techniques and related analytes.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: TOC, total carbon, inorganic carbon, NPOC, DOC, high-temperature catalytic combustion, NDIR detection, water analysis, ASTM D7573.