On-line monitor for particulate analyte in a moving liquid

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the determination of the concentration level of a particulate analyte in a moving liquid, said apparatus comprising: valve means for diverting a quantifiable portion of the liquid through an analysis chamber, wherein the chamber itself comprises: valve inlet means for introducing the liquid to the analysis chamber, concentrating means for accumulating the particulate analyte present in the liquid, valve outlet means for the removing liquid having a reduced concentration of analyte; valve inlet means for introducing an anhydrous gas into said analysis chamber, valve outlet means for removing the inert gas and a major portion of the liquid present in analysis chamber, electromagnetic radiation generating means positioned in non contacting proximity to said concentration means, detecting means for detecting an electromagnetic radiation parameter of the analyte located in non-contacting proximity to said concentration means; and flow sensor means for measuring the liquid flow within the analysis chamber. The present invention is particularly useful to concentrate and to determine particulate iron compounds and/or sulfur compounds in a moving aqueous stream. This method is particularly useful in power generation plants to determine the extent of corrosion of the metal components on a real-time basis.