Water plays a vital role in the cooling and steam cycle of power generation. Whether in fossil fuel, nuclear, or renewable power plants, water is used to produce steam that drives turbines and to cool systems for heat recovery and process stability. Maintaining high water quality is essential, as impurities can lead to corrosion, scaling, and fouling of critical components like boilers, turbines, and condensers. Even small amounts of organic contaminants can compromise the efficiency of the process and shorten equipment life, leading to costly downtime and maintenance.
That’s where Total Organic Carbon (TOC) water analyzers from Process Insights come in. These advanced analyzers provide real-time monitoring of organic contamination in high-purity water systems. By detecting trace levels of organic carbon, TOC analyzers help ensure that only the cleanest water enters the steam cycle, protecting sensitive equipment and optimizing thermal efficiency. Accurate TOC measurement supports compliance with industry standards and safeguards against process disruptions, making these instruments essential tools for reliable, safe, and efficient power plant operation.
Water Steam Cycle – Power Generation
- Feedwater Supply
- Purified water is supplied to the boiler using feedwater pumps.
- Water quality is critical to prevent corrosion and scaling.
- Boiler / Steam Generator
- Feedwater is heated and converted into high-pressure steam.
- The steam is produced using energy from combustion (fossil fuels), nuclear reactions, or other heat sources.
- Steam Turbine
- High-pressure steam flows through the turbine, spinning its blades.
- The turbine converts thermal energy into mechanical energy.
- Generator
- The turbine is connected to a generator.
- Mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.
- Condenser
- Low-pressure steam exits the turbine and enters a condenser.
- Steam is cooled and converted back into water using cooling water (from a river, cooling tower, or seawater).
- Condensate Pumps
- The condensed water (condensate) is pumped back toward the boiler.
- It may pass through several heaters and purification stages.
- Cycle Repeats
- The water is reused in a closed-loop system, reducing waste and conserving resources.
Why It’s Important
- Efficiency depends on water purity and system integrity.
- Monitoring for contaminants like Total Organic Carbon (TOC) is essential to protect equipment and maintain safe operation.
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QuickTOCultra™
Best for monitoring process water and wastewater in power plants.
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Application: Cooling water, feed water pre-treatment, and wastewater discharge.
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Technology: High-temperature catalytic combustion.
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TOC Range: Wide range, capable of handling harsh, high-load samples.
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Response Time: <3 minutes.
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Why it fits: Used in areas where water is less pure or where organic loading is higher—before polishing steps or in wastewater treatment stages.
QuickTOCtrace™
Ideal for ultra-pure water and condensate monitoring.
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Application: Boiler feed water, condensate return, demineralized water, and other ultra-pure water streams.
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Technology: UV oxidation with differential conductivity detection.
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TOC Range: As low as 0.05 ppm (50 ppb).
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Response Time: Fast—results in 30 seconds.
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Why it fits: Early detection of organic contamination helps prevent corrosion in turbines and boilers, making this analyzer ideal for critical control points in the steam-water cycle.
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