Patent Description:
In order to ensure that a TOC analyzer and a conductivity meter are both working correctly, the accuracy of the TOC analyzer and the conductivity meter may be periodically verified by a technician. Typically, to verify the ability of a TOC analyzer to accurately measure the TOC concentration of a sample, a technician may insert a vial containing a solution having a known TOC value into the TOC analyzer. The technician may then test the TOC of the solution using the TOC analyzer. The technician may then verify that the TOC analyzer is correctly measuring TOC by comparing the results of the test with the known TOC value. The technician may then similarly verify that the conductivity meter is correctly measuring conductivity using a different sample containing a different solution having a known conductivity.

Current methods for verifying TOC analyzers and conductivity meters, while effective, are time consuming. For example, each verification process may require the flushing and/or cleaning of the associated testing equipment, as well as the preparation of a different sample. Accordingly, verifying the TOC of a TOC analyzer and the conductivity of a conductivity meter using different samples is a time-consuming process for technicians.

<CIT> discloses a device for predicting the concentration of trihalomethanes in water by measuring the Total Organic Carbon (TOC), the Combined Residual Chlorine (CRC) and the conductivity (C) of said sample.

<CIT> discloses that it is common practice to periodically calibrate TOC analyzers against one or more known standards which may be acidified.

There are similar issues related to calibrating TOC analyzers and conductivity meters.

In an embodiment, a TOC analyzer is provided. The TOC analyzer includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to: receive a sample having both a known TOC and conductivity value, wherein the sample comprises an organic acid; measure the TOC concentration of the sample; and measure a conductivity of the sample. The TOC and conductivity are measured at approximately the same time using the same sample resulting in an improvement over existing systems for TOC and conductivity measurement verification.

Embodiments may include some or all of the following features. The instructions may further comprise instructions that cause the one or more processor to verify the TOC and conductivity measuring capability of the TOC analyzer using the measured TOC, the measured conductivity, the known TOC, and the known conductivity of the sample. The organic acid may include citric acid. The organic acid may include lactic acid. The sample may include a single vial containing the organic acid.

In an embodiment, a method for verifying TOC and conductivity measuring capability of a TOC analyzer using a single sample is provided. The method includes: preparing a sample having a known TOC and conductivity, wherein the first sample comprises an organic acid; placing the sample into a TOC analyzer; causing the TOC analyzer to measure a TOC of the sample; and causing the TOC analyzer to measure a conductivity of the sample.

Embodiments may include some or all of the following features. The method may further include: receiving a report from the TOC analyzer, wherein the report comprises results associated with the measurement of the TOC of the sample and the measurement of the conductivity of the sample; and verifying the TOC and conductivity measuring capability of the TOC analyzer using the results and the known TOC and known conductivity of the first sample. The organic acid may include citric acid. The sample may include a single vial containing the organic acid. The TOC and the conductivity may be measured at substantially the same time by the TOC analyzer. The organic acid may include lactic acid.

In an embodiment, a method for calibrating a TOC analyzer with respect to TOC and conductivity is provided. The method includes: receiving a set of samples having a known TOC and conductivity, wherein each sample comprises an organic acid; placing the set of samples into a TOC analyzer; and for each sample of the set of samples: causing the TOC analyzer to measure a TOC of the sample; causing the TOC analyzer to measure a conductivity of the sample; comparing the measured TOC to the known TOC of the sample; comparing the measured conductivity to the known conductivity of the sample; and calibrating the TOC analyzer with respect to TOC and conductivity based on the comparisons.

Embodiments may include some or all of the following features. The method may include receiving a report from the TOC analyzer, wherein the report comprises results associated with the calibration. The organic acid may include citric acid. The sample may include a single vial containing the organic acid. The TOC of the sample and the conductivity of the sample may be measured at approximately the same time. Each sample of the set of samples may have a different known TOC and a different known conductivity. Calibrating the TOC analyzer with respect to TOC and conductivity based on the comparisons may include adjusting one or more offsets based on the comparisons.

Example features and implementations are disclosed in the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

<FIG> is an illustration of an environment <NUM> for verifying and calibrating an analyzer <NUM>. The analyzer <NUM> may be a TOC analyzer that is adapted to measure the total organic carbon found in a fluid. The analyzer <NUM> may further be adapted to measure the conductivity of a fluid. The analyzer <NUM> may include a grab analysis port through which a user may place a sample <NUM>. The sample <NUM> may include a vial, and the vial may include a fluid or solution. Other types of containers may be used for the sample <NUM>. The fluid may include water or any other fluid or solution that the user desires to measure the TOC or conductivity of.

When the sample <NUM> is inserted into the grab analysis port of the analyzer <NUM> the fluid of the sample is tested using one or more needles. The tests that are performed on the sample <NUM> by the analyzer <NUM> may be selected by the user through a user interface provided on a display associated with the analyzer <NUM>. For example, the user may select to perform standards such as a conductivity test or a TOC test.

After selecting the desired test, the analyzer <NUM> may perform the selected test using the fluid of the sample <NUM>. Any method for measuring TOC or conductivity in a fluid may be used. After completing the selected test, the analyzer <NUM> may generate a report <NUM> that includes results of the selected test (e.g., the measured TOC and conductivity values). The report <NUM> may be provided to the user via the display associated with the analyzer <NUM>, via email, or via print. Other methods may be used.

The various functionalities associated with the analyzer <NUM> (e.g., TOC and conductivity testing, U! display, and report <NUM> generation) may be implemented using a computing device such as the computing device <NUM> illustrated with respect to <FIG>. Depending on the implementation, the computing device may be part of, or separate from, the analyzer <NUM>.

As may be appreciated, to ensure the analyzer <NUM> is working correctly, the analyzer <NUM> may provide for both the verification and calibration of the various measurements that are performed by the analyzer <NUM>. Verification may be a single test or measurement that is performed on a fluid with a known TOC value or conductivity value. The results of the test can be compared to the known TOC value and conductivity value to determine if the analyzer <NUM> is correctly measuring TOC and conductivity of samples <NUM>.

Calibration is the process through which one or more internal values or offsets of the analyzer <NUM> are adjusted so that a measured TOC or conductivity of a fluid matches a known TOC or conductivity or TOC of the fluid. The calibration process may be performed using multiple steps with each step being performed on a different sample <NUM> with each sample <NUM> having a different known TOC and conductivity. The TOC and conductivities measured for each sample <NUM> may be compared to the known TOC and conductivities for each sample to determine if the analyzer <NUM> is properly calibrated. One or more offsets of the analyzer <NUM> may be adjusted based on the comparison.

As described above, currently verification of an analyzer <NUM> requires the use of two different samples <NUM> and two different sets of processes or standards. For example, a user or technician may perform a TOC verification process using a sample <NUM> that includes an inorganic acid such as HCL with a known TOC. After the TOC verification process is completed, the user or technician may then perform a conductivity verification process using a different sample <NUM> that includes a salt dissolved in a solution having a known conductivity. TOC and conductivity calibration may similarly require the use of two different samples <NUM> for each step of the calibration. Currently, verifying or calibrating the analyzer <NUM> may be time consuming task that requires the attention of a technician and prevents the analyzer <NUM> from being used for a more productive or valuable purpose.

Accordingly, to solve the problems associated with current methods for verifying and calibrating an analyzer <NUM>, a sample <NUM> is provided that allows both the TOC and conductivity measurement capability of the analyzer <NUM> to be verified using a single sample <NUM>. The sample <NUM> further allows for the performing of each step of the calibration process using only a single sample <NUM>.

The sample <NUM> may include an organic acid solution. The organic acid used may be a triprotic acid that is both organic and conductive. An example acid includes citric acid. However, other acids may be used such as lactic acid or formic acid.

The TOC and conductivity of the sample <NUM> may be known or set by a user or technician. In some implementations, the organic acid solution used in the sample <NUM> may be prepared to have a TOC of <NUM> ppb and a pH of approximately <NUM>. Having a pH of <NUM> may help stabilize any TOC measurements made on the sample <NUM> from atmospheric CO<NUM> contamination, for example.

The sample <NUM> may include the organic acid in a single vial. A suitable vial is a Dual Use Conductivity and TOC (DUCT) vial. Other types of vials may be used. In some embodiments, the sample <NUM> may be prepared by a user or technician. Alternatively, the sample <NUM> may be purchased from a manufacturer for the purposes of verifying or calibrating the analyzer <NUM> with respect to TOC and conductivity.

When the user or technician desires to verify the analyzer <NUM> with respect to TOC and conductivity, the user or technician may place the sample <NUM>, including the organic acid solution having a known TOC and conductivity, into the grab analysis port of the analyzer <NUM>. The user or technician may then select a standard or procedure related to verifying both TOC and conductivity using a single sample <NUM>. The standard may be selected using a user interface provided or displayed by the analyzer <NUM>.

The analyzer <NUM> may then perform both TOC and conductivity verification using the single sample <NUM> at approximately the same time. Depending on the embodiment, a TOC cell of the analyzer <NUM> may measure the TOC of the sample <NUM> as some or all of the organic acid of the sample <NUM> moves through the analyzer <NUM>. At approximately the same time, or directly after, a conductivity cell of analyzer <NUM> may measure the conductivity of the sample <NUM> as the organic acid of the sample <NUM> continues to move through the analyzer <NUM>. After each measurement, the measured TOC and conductivity may be recorded by the analyzer <NUM>. As may be appreciated, because both the conductivity and the TOC verifications are performed at the same time, the total amount of time required to perform TOC and conductivity verification on an analyzer <NUM> is effectively halved when compared with previous methods for verifying both TOC and conductivity. Any method for verifying TOC and conductivity by an analyzer <NUM> may be used.

When the user or technician desires to calibrate the analyzer <NUM> with respect to TOC and conductivity, the user or technician may receive or prepare a set of samples <NUM>. Each sample <NUM> may have a different known TOC and a different known conductivity.

As part of the calibration process, the analyzer <NUM>, for each sample <NUM> of the set of samples <NUM>, may measure the TOC and the conductivity of the sample <NUM> at approximately the same time as described above for verification. After all of the samples <NUM> have been measured, the analyzer <NUM> may compare, for each sample <NUM>, the measured TOC and conductivity with the known TOC and conductivity. If the known TOC and measured TOC for a sample <NUM> do not match, the analyzer <NUM> may adjust one or more offsets associated with the TOC cell that measured the TOC of the sample <NUM>. Similarly, If the known conductivity and measured conductivity for a sample <NUM> do not match, the analyzer <NUM> may adjust one or more offsets associated with the conductivity cell that measured the conductivity of the sample <NUM>.

Similar to the verification procedure, because both the conductivity and the TOC calibrations procedures are performed at the same time, the total amount of time required to perform TOC and conductivity calibration of an analyzer <NUM> is also halved. Any method for calibrating an analyzer <NUM> may be used.

After performing either of the verification or calibration, the analyzer <NUM> may generate a report <NUM>. The report <NUM> may include results of one or both of the verification and the calibration. With respect to verification, the results may indicate whether the TOC and conductivity measurements agreed with the known TOC and conductivity of the citric acid solution in the sample <NUM>. With respect to calibration, the report <NUM> may include results of the calibration including indications of any offsets that were adjusted during the calibration. The report <NUM> may displayed by the analyzer <NUM>, printed by the analyzer <NUM>, or may be provided electronically by the analyzer <NUM> (e.g., emailed).

The sample <NUM> capable of simultaneous verification of the analyzer <NUM> using a single vile of organic acid described herein provides numerous advantages over prior art systems. First, because the analyzer <NUM> can be verified (or calibrated) with respect to conductivity and TOC using a single standard or procedure, time and money are saved with respect to manufacturing the sample <NUM> (e.g., only one sample <NUM> is made), programming the analyzer <NUM> to perform the standard or procedure (e.g., only one standard is needed vs. two), and actually performing the verification or calibration (e.g., a technician need only spend half as much time as previously spent). Second, manufacturing a sample <NUM> with only one vial of a chemical (e.g., citric acid) is cheaper and simpler than manufacturing multiple samples <NUM> each with a different chemical or combination of chemicals. Third, citric acid may have the additional benefit of promoting a passivation layer within the instruments or cells of the analyzer <NUM>, versus the typically used HCL which removes the passivation layer. The passivation layer may protect the instruments and cells of the analyzer <NUM> from corrosion.

<FIG> is an illustration of an exemplary method <NUM> for verifying TOC and conductivity measurement for an analyzer <NUM> using a single sample <NUM>. The method <NUM> may be performed by one or more of a user and an analyzer <NUM>.

At <NUM>, a sample is prepared. The sample <NUM> may be prepared by a user or technician. The sample <NUM> may include a vial. The vial may include an organic acid solution such as citric acid. Other organic acids may be used. The organic acid solution may have a known TOC and conductivity.

Alternatively, the user or technician may receive an already prepared sample <NUM>. The sample <NUM> may be sold for the purposes of verifying or calibrating an analyzer <NUM> with respect to TOC and conductivity.

At <NUM>, the sample is placed into the analyzer. The sample <NUM> may be placed into the analyzer <NUM> by the user or technician. The sample <NUM> may be placed into the grab analysis port of the analyzer <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the analyzer is caused to measure a TOC of the sample. For example, the user or technician may use an interface of the analyzer <NUM> to put the analyzer <NUM> into a verification mode where the analyzer <NUM> measures the TOC and conductivity of the sample <NUM>. Alternatively, the analyzer <NUM> may enter the verification mode upon detection of the sample <NUM> in the grab analysis port. For example, the sample <NUM> may include a chip, or other indicator, that the analyzer <NUM> may recognize as being associated with TOC and conductivity verification.

At <NUM>, the analyzer is caused to measure a conductivity of the sample. The analyzer <NUM> may measure the conductivity of the sample <NUM> at approximately the same time that it measured the TOC of the sample <NUM>. As described previously, as part of the verification process, the conductivity measurement and the TOC measurement are performed using the same sample <NUM> at approximately the same time. This is an improvement over prior methods for performing verification which required one sample <NUM> to verify conductivity and a different sample <NUM> to verify TOC.

At <NUM>, a report is received. The report <NUM> may be received by the user or technician that provided the sample <NUM> and/or started the verification process. The report <NUM> may be printed or displayed to the user or technician on a display associated with the analyzer <NUM>. The report <NUM> may include a measured TOC of the sample <NUM> and a measured conductivity of the sample <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the TOC and conductivity measuring capability of the analyzer is verified. The TOC and conductivity measurement measuring capability of the analyzer <NUM> may be verified by the user or technician using the known TOC and conductivity values of the sample <NUM> and the values in the report <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the analyzer <NUM> may know the expected TOC and conductivity values of the sample <NUM>, and the differences (if any) between the expected and measured values may be indicated in the report <NUM>. Depending on the values in the report <NUM> the user or technician may recommend performing a calibration of the analyzer <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration of an exemplary method <NUM> for calibrating an analyzer <NUM> with respect to TOC and conductivity. The method <NUM> may be performed by one or more of a user and an analyzer <NUM>.

At <NUM>, a set of samples is received. The set of samples <NUM> may be received by a user or technician for purposes of calibrating an analyzer <NUM> with respect to measuring TOC and conductivity of fluid samples. Each sample <NUM> may include a vial of an organic acid solution such as a citric acid solution. Each sample may have a different known TOC and a different conductivity.

Alternatively, the user or technician may prepare the samples <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the samples are placed into the analyzer. Each sample <NUM> may be placed into the grab analysis port of the analyzer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the samples <NUM> of the set of samples may be placed into the analyzer <NUM> at the same time. Alternatively, the samples <NUM> may be placed into the analyzer <NUM> after each step of the calibration is performed. For example, the analyzer <NUM> may prompt the user or technician to provide a different sample <NUM> after each step of the calibration is performed.

At <NUM>, for each sample of the set of set of samples, the analyzer is caused to measure a TOC of the sample and a conductivity of the sample. The TOC and conductivity of each sample <NUM> may be measured by the analyzer <NUM> at approximately the same time.

At <NUM>, for each sample of the set of samples, the measured TOC and measured conductivity are compared with the known TOC and the known conductivity of the sample <NUM>. For example, the analyzer <NUM> may determine the difference (if any) between the measured TOC and the known TOC, and the measured conductivity and the known conductivity. Other methods may be used.

At <NUM>, the analyzer is calibrated based on the comparisons. Depending on the embodiment, the analyzer <NUM> may be calibrated by adjusting one or more settings, configurations, or offsets of the analyzer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary computing environment in which example embodiments and aspects may be implemented. The computing device environment is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality.

Numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing devices environments or configurations may be used. Examples of well-known computing devices, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network personal computers (PCs), minicomputers, mainframe computers, embedded systems, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer may be used. Distributed computing environments may be used where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network or other data transmission medium. In a distributed computing environment, program modules and other data may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

With reference to <FIG>, an exemplary system for implementing aspects described herein includes a computing device, such as computing device <NUM>. In its most basic configuration, computing device <NUM> typically includes at least one processing unit <NUM> and memory <NUM>. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory <NUM> may be volatile (such as random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated in <FIG> by dashed line <NUM>.

Computing device <NUM> may have additional features/functionality. For example, computing device <NUM> may include additional storage (removable and/or non-removable) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated in <FIG> by removable storage <NUM> and non-removable storage <NUM>.

Computing device <NUM> typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the device <NUM> and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

Computer storage media include volatile and non-volatile, and removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory <NUM>, removable storage <NUM>, and non-removable storage <NUM> are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable program read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device <NUM>. Any such computer storage media may be part of computing device <NUM>.

Computing device <NUM> may contain communication connection(s) <NUM> that allow the device to communicate with other devices. Computing device <NUM> may also have input device(s) <NUM> such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) <NUM> such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included. All these devices are well known in the art and need not be discussed at length here.

It should be understood that the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware components or software components or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Illustrative types of hardware components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc. The methods and apparatus of the presently disclosed subject matter, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium where, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject matter.

A number of example implementations are provided herein.

Claim 1:
A total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer (<NUM>) comprising:
one or more processors (<NUM>); and
a memory (<NUM>) communicably coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the analyzer to:
receive (<NUM>) a sample (<NUM>) having a known TOC value and a known conductivity value, wherein the sample comprises an organic acid;
measure (<NUM>) a TOC of the sample; and
measure (<NUM>) a conductivity of the sample.