Organic compounds commonly found in water and wastewater e.g., humic substances, tannin, lignin, and various aromatic compounds, strongly absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. This absorption of UV light at 254nm (UV254), also known as the spectral absorption coefficient (SAC254), is routinely used for the measurement of the organic pollution in drinking water supplies. UV254 has a very good correlation with BOD, COD, DOC and TOC in water treatment process systems and wastewater treatment plants. UV254 is a continuous measurement that does not require reagents and avoids the errors associated with the withdrawal and preparation of composite samples.
The Kemtrak UV254 analyzer simultaneously measures at a second non-absorbing wavelength that is used for the measurement of turbidity in the process. Besides providing real-time indication of process turbidity, it is also used for compensation of the UV254 measurement against the influence of particulate in the process to assure reliable measurement.
UV254 process analyzer