The PAI Organic X Monitor LC (OXM LC) is an online analyzer that detects trace organic impurities in boiler feed water, condensate return and ultrapure water. It decomposes organics by UV light and measures the resulting conductivity increase – the “Organic X” value – which shows the corrosion risk in the water–steam cycle more directly than TOC or DOC. Akan Industrial and Automation supplies and supports the OXM LC for power plants and industrial steam systems in Türkiye.
Why monitor organics in condensate and feed water?
Trouble-free boiler operation depends on an intact passivation layer on both sides of the heat exchangers, and the quality of this layer depends on conductivity in the water–steam cycle. Ion exchange resins remove ionic species, but neutral organic compounds pass through. Under boiler conditions they decompose into organic and inorganic acids, raising conductivity, accelerating corrosion and shortening maintenance intervals.
How the Organic X Monitor LC works
Most DOC (dissolved organic carbon) instruments decompose organics and measure the CO₂ formed (DIN 38409). In most cases, DOC does not correlate with the conductivity increase that the same compounds cause in the boiler.
The OXM LC also decomposes organic impurities, but it measures all ionic products – HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, F⁻, SO₄²⁻ and others – by conductivity. By simulating the decomposition that takes place in the boiler, it gives an unambiguous measure of feed water quality.
Power plant tests, in which small amounts of organic compounds were injected into feed water, showed that halogenated compounds cause a much higher conductivity increase than halogen-free compounds and start to decompose at lower temperatures – partly already during preheating at 270 °C. Decomposition can therefore occur even in older plants with moderate steam temperatures.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Principle | Conductivity after UV digestion |
| Measuring range | 0.01–2 mg C/l |
| T90 | 1–3 min |
| Detection limit | 10 µg/l (lower for some compounds) |
| Channels | Up to 8 (option) |
| Sample | Condensate, ultrapure water; conductivity < 20 µS/cm |
| Alarms | System fault (NC/NO); threshold and maintenance request (NC/NO, optional) |
| Analog outputs | Up to 8 × (0)4–20 mA, galvanically isolated, max. 500 Ω |
| Display | 4” colour touch panel |
| Communication | Ethernet; Profibus and Modbus optional |
| Housing | Wall-mounted, steel and plastic |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | approx. 400 × 270 × 910 mm |
| Weight | approx. 30 kg |
Options
- Multiplexer for up to 8 channels
- Audit trail
- Modbus TCP, Profibus
- Sm@rt Server remote access
Why choose Akan for steam-cycle water analysis?
Akan integrates condensate analyzers into sample panels and plant control systems as part of our analytical instrumentation services. See also the energy and chemical industry page and the PAITOC TOC analyzer for wastewater and cooling water.
