HORIBA OCMA-505 Portable Oil-in-Water Analyzer

Overview

The HORIBA OCMA-505 is a portable, field-deployable oil-in-water analyzer engineered for rapid, reliable quantification of hydrocarbon contaminants in aqueous matrices—including freshwater, seawater, industrial process water, and wastewater effluents. It operates on the principle of non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectrophotometry, measuring the characteristic C–H stretching absorption band near 2930 cm⁻¹ in extracted organic phases. Unlike conventional benchtop IR analyzers requiring manual solvent exchange or range switching, the OCMA-505 integrates a fixed 0–200 mg/L dynamic measurement range with auto-zero compensation and digital signal processing—enabling trace-level detection (down to 0.1 mg/L) and high-concentration analysis without manual range selection or recalibration between samples. Its compact architecture, battery-operated capability, and ruggedized housing meet IP65 environmental protection standards, making it suitable for on-site monitoring at municipal treatment plants, offshore platforms, river surveillance stations, and environmental emergency response teams.

Key Features

• Single-range 0–200 mg/L dynamic quantification eliminates manual range switching and associated operator error
• Digital display with real-time status feedback, English-language interface, and diagnostic error codes for transparent instrument operation
• Precision syringe-based extraction system ensures reproducible, quantitative transfer of sample water and H-997 solvent—minimizing volumetric variability
• Integrated NDIR optical path with temperature-stabilized detector and reference channel for enhanced baseline stability and drift correction
• On-board data logging (up to 500 measurements) with timestamp and operator ID tagging for audit-ready records
• Optional SR-305 solvent regenerator enables on-site reclamation of H-997 extractant using dual-bed activated carbon and activated alumina columns—reducing consumable costs and hazardous waste generation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The OCMA-505 is validated for use with natural waters (freshwater and seawater), cooling tower water, bilge water, and treated effluents containing aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., diesel, lubricating oils, crude oil fractions). It complies with core methodological requirements of ASTM D7066-20 (Standard Test Method for Determination of Oil and Grease and Selected Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Water by Infrared Spectrophotometry), ISO 9377-2:2000 (Water quality — Determination of hydrocarbon oil index — Part 2: Infrared spectrometric method), and JIS K 0102 (Testing methods for industrial wastewater). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant as a standalone device, its data output supports integration into LIMS environments with external electronic signature and audit trail capabilities for GLP/GMP-aligned laboratories.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via USB 2.0 interface to standard CSV format, compatible with Excel, LabArchives, and enterprise-grade laboratory information management systems (LIMS). The internal memory stores measurement ID, concentration value, date/time stamp, operator code, and instrument status flags (e.g., “solvent low”, “cell dirty”, “calibration expired”). Firmware updates are performed via secure USB firmware loader; version history and calibration log entries are retained in non-volatile memory. No proprietary software installation is required—raw files are human-readable and schema-documented per HORIBA’s public API specification v2.1.

Applications

• Regulatory compliance monitoring at wastewater discharge points per EPA Method 1664B and EU Directive 2000/60/EC
• Routine screening of influent and effluent streams in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities
• Marine environmental surveys assessing hydrocarbon contamination in port waters and coastal zones
• Leak detection and source tracking in petrochemical plants, refineries, and storage terminals
• Emergency response verification following oil spills or pipeline ruptures
• Process water quality control in power generation, metal finishing, and food processing industries

FAQ

What extraction solvent is required for the OCMA-505?
HORIBA H-997 solvent is mandatory—it is specifically formulated for optimal IR transmission, low water miscibility, and consistent extraction efficiency across diverse hydrocarbon types.
Can the OCMA-505 measure oil in soil or sludge?
No—the instrument is designed exclusively for liquid-phase analysis. Solid or semi-solid matrices require prior Soxhlet or ultrasonic extraction followed by aqueous phase separation prior to OCMA-505 measurement.
Is the SR-305 solvent regenerator compatible with third-party solvents?
No—SR-305 is validated only for H-997. Use of alternative solvents may compromise column lifetime, regeneration efficiency, and analytical accuracy.
How often must the optical cell be cleaned?
Cleaning is recommended after every 20–30 measurements or when absorbance drift exceeds ±0.02 Abs—verified via built-in zero-check function using blank solvent.
Does the OCMA-505 support external calibration verification standards?
Yes—NIST-traceable mineral oil standards (e.g., AccuStandard OIL-1000-M) can be used for daily system suitability checks; calibration verification frequency follows internal QA/QC protocols aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7.