Qualitative and quantitative determination by oxygen-free carrier gas from pressurized source at constant flow rate into which aqueous samples are introduced and passed over catalytic heating element in reaction chamber producing CO2 from H2O and carbon present; removal of condensate liquids; and detection of CO2, giving signal proportional to C content of sample. - Used for organic and inorganic C-bearing constituents in e.g. river water, measuring pollution due to industrial waste outfalls, industrial process stream leakages, sewage plant outfalls and accidental spillages, and particularly where use of oxygen carrier stream in the apparatus would be hazardous. Use of oxygen-free carrier gas is novel.
