C – Carbon
The carbon analysis is based on various combustion methods in oxygen. The aim is a complete oxidation of the carbon to carbon dioxide. For this purpose, methods with temperatures of up to 1300°C are used, depending on the sample matrix. For the analysis of compounds that are difficult to combust, melt-forming or combustion-accelerating additives and variable heating times are used. The detection of the released carbon dioxide is performed conductometrically or by infrared spectroscopy.
The determination of carbon in the form of carbonate-C is also performed conductometrically after acid extraction and carbon dioxide absorption.
A distinction between inorganic (TIC) and organic (TOC) bound carbon can be done. The organic carbon (TOC) is determined as the difference between the two analyzed parameters “total carbon” (TC) and “inorganic carbon content” (TIC).