This document provides information about measuring biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). It discusses the significance of BOD testing, describing it as a measure of the oxygen demand of organic matter in water samples through biochemical reactions with microorganisms. The standard BOD test procedure and BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) procedure are outlined. Other parameters for measuring organic matter like COD and TOC are also introduced and compared to BOD. Sources of error in BOD tests and methods to address them are explained. Equations to model BOD progression as a first-order reaction and calculate BOD values at different time points are presented.
Deals with the measurement of organic matter concentration in water and wastewater. BOD, BOD kinetics and COD tests are discussed at length. Further, as part of the ultimate BOD measurement, other associated tests like Dissolved Oxygen and Ammonical, Nitrate and Nitrite forms of nitrogen are also discussed.
Details about Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BOD) with solved examples. Extra examples are given for homework. You can contact me for details on pratik1516@gmail.com.
Deals with the measurement of organic matter concentration in water and wastewater. BOD, BOD kinetics and COD tests are discussed at length. Further, as part of the ultimate BOD measurement, other associated tests like Dissolved Oxygen and Ammonical, Nitrate and Nitrite forms of nitrogen are also discussed.
Details about Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BOD) with solved examples. Extra examples are given for homework. You can contact me for details on pratik1516@gmail.com.
Distillery Wastewater Decontamination by the Fenton Advanced Oxidation MethodIJRES Journal
This study evaluated the effect of Fenton advanced oxidation process on the treatment of an industrial wastewater (distillery). The comparison of the effects of Fe2+ loadings, H2O2 dosages (2%(v/v)and 4%(v/v)), reaction temperature and reaction time, established optimum efficiency in terms of BOD and COD reductions. The best operating conditions for the treatment of the distillery wastewater containing 43.85 mg/L BOD concentration and 274.28 mg/L COD concentration in the raw effluent was 2% H2O2 dosage at constant loadings of Fe2+ (1.5 g), 80 oC pretreatment temperature, and 1 h reaction time. At this optimized condition, the BOD content reduced to about 35 mg/L (about 21% removal) and COD content reduced to about 53 mg/L (about 81% removal). There was a complete removal of the initial colour present in the wastewater after the treatment process. The process proved the ability to effectively reduce the COD content which when high in industrial wastewaters can lead to serious impacts to the environment.
02 Characterization and Primary Treatment of Sewageakashpadole
The presentation has prepared as per the syllabus of Mumbai University.
Go through the presentation, if you like it then share it with your friends and classmates.
Thank you :)
Distillery Wastewater Decontamination by the Fenton Advanced Oxidation MethodIJRES Journal
This study evaluated the effect of Fenton advanced oxidation process on the treatment of an industrial wastewater (distillery). The comparison of the effects of Fe2+ loadings, H2O2 dosages (2%(v/v)and 4%(v/v)), reaction temperature and reaction time, established optimum efficiency in terms of BOD and COD reductions. The best operating conditions for the treatment of the distillery wastewater containing 43.85 mg/L BOD concentration and 274.28 mg/L COD concentration in the raw effluent was 2% H2O2 dosage at constant loadings of Fe2+ (1.5 g), 80 oC pretreatment temperature, and 1 h reaction time. At this optimized condition, the BOD content reduced to about 35 mg/L (about 21% removal) and COD content reduced to about 53 mg/L (about 81% removal). There was a complete removal of the initial colour present in the wastewater after the treatment process. The process proved the ability to effectively reduce the COD content which when high in industrial wastewaters can lead to serious impacts to the environment.
02 Characterization and Primary Treatment of Sewageakashpadole
The presentation has prepared as per the syllabus of Mumbai University.
Go through the presentation, if you like it then share it with your friends and classmates.
Thank you :)
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdfCheryl Hung
Keynote at DIGIT West Expo, Glasgow on 29 May 2024.
Cheryl Hung, ochery.com
Sr Director, Infrastructure Ecosystem, Arm.
The key trends across hardware, cloud and open-source; exploring how these areas are likely to mature and develop over the short and long-term, and then considering how organisations can position themselves to adapt and thrive.
Builder.ai Founder Sachin Dev Duggal's Strategic Approach to Create an Innova...Ramesh Iyer
In today's fast-changing business world, Companies that adapt and embrace new ideas often need help to keep up with the competition. However, fostering a culture of innovation takes much work. It takes vision, leadership and willingness to take risks in the right proportion. Sachin Dev Duggal, co-founder of Builder.ai, has perfected the art of this balance, creating a company culture where creativity and growth are nurtured at each stage.
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered QualityInflectra
In this insightful webinar, Inflectra explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming software development and testing. Discover how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from design and prototyping to testing, deployment, and monitoring.
Learn about:
• The Future of Testing: How AI is shifting testing towards verification, analysis, and higher-level skills, while reducing repetitive tasks.
• Test Automation: How AI-powered test case generation, optimization, and self-healing tests are making testing more efficient and effective.
• Visual Testing: Explore the emerging capabilities of AI in visual testing and how it's set to revolutionize UI verification.
• Inflectra's AI Solutions: See demonstrations of Inflectra's cutting-edge AI tools like the ChatGPT plugin and Azure Open AI platform, designed to streamline your testing process.
Whether you're a developer, tester, or QA professional, this webinar will give you valuable insights into how AI is shaping the future of software delivery.
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf91mobiles
91mobiles recently conducted a Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey in which we asked over 3,000 respondents about the TV they own, aspects they look at on a new TV, and their TV buying preferences.
"Impact of front-end architecture on development cost", Viktor TurskyiFwdays
I have heard many times that architecture is not important for the front-end. Also, many times I have seen how developers implement features on the front-end just following the standard rules for a framework and think that this is enough to successfully launch the project, and then the project fails. How to prevent this and what approach to choose? I have launched dozens of complex projects and during the talk we will analyze which approaches have worked for me and which have not.
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonDianaGray10
Here is something new! In our next Connector Corner webinar, we will demonstrate how you can use a single workflow to:
Create a campaign using Mailchimp with merge tags/fields
Send an interactive Slack channel message (using buttons)
Have the message received by managers and peers along with a test email for review
But there’s more:
In a second workflow supporting the same use case, you’ll see:
Your campaign sent to target colleagues for approval
If the “Approve” button is clicked, a Jira/Zendesk ticket is created for the marketing design team
But—if the “Reject” button is pushed, colleagues will be alerted via Slack message
Join us to learn more about this new, human-in-the-loop capability, brought to you by Integration Service connectors.
And...
Speakers:
Akshay Agnihotri, Product Manager
Charlie Greenberg, Host
Search and Society: Reimagining Information Access for Radical FuturesBhaskar Mitra
The field of Information retrieval (IR) is currently undergoing a transformative shift, at least partly due to the emerging applications of generative AI to information access. In this talk, we will deliberate on the sociotechnical implications of generative AI for information access. We will argue that there is both a critical necessity and an exciting opportunity for the IR community to re-center our research agendas on societal needs while dismantling the artificial separation between the work on fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics in IR and the rest of IR research. Instead of adopting a reactionary strategy of trying to mitigate potential social harms from emerging technologies, the community should aim to proactively set the research agenda for the kinds of systems we should build inspired by diverse explicitly stated sociotechnical imaginaries. The sociotechnical imaginaries that underpin the design and development of information access technologies needs to be explicitly articulated, and we need to develop theories of change in context of these diverse perspectives. Our guiding future imaginaries must be informed by other academic fields, such as democratic theory and critical theory, and should be co-developed with social science scholars, legal scholars, civil rights and social justice activists, and artists, among others.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 3. In this session, we will cover desktop automation along with UI automation.
Topics covered:
UI automation Introduction,
UI automation Sample
Desktop automation flow
Pradeep Chinnala, Senior Consultant Automation Developer @WonderBotz and UiPath MVP
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
Dev Dives: Train smarter, not harder – active learning and UiPath LLMs for do...UiPathCommunity
💥 Speed, accuracy, and scaling – discover the superpowers of GenAI in action with UiPath Document Understanding and Communications Mining™:
See how to accelerate model training and optimize model performance with active learning
Learn about the latest enhancements to out-of-the-box document processing – with little to no training required
Get an exclusive demo of the new family of UiPath LLMs – GenAI models specialized for processing different types of documents and messages
This is a hands-on session specifically designed for automation developers and AI enthusiasts seeking to enhance their knowledge in leveraging the latest intelligent document processing capabilities offered by UiPath.
Speakers:
👨🏫 Andras Palfi, Senior Product Manager, UiPath
👩🏫 Lenka Dulovicova, Product Program Manager, UiPath
Essentials of Automations: Optimizing FME Workflows with ParametersSafe Software
Are you looking to streamline your workflows and boost your projects’ efficiency? Do you find yourself searching for ways to add flexibility and control over your FME workflows? If so, you’re in the right place.
Join us for an insightful dive into the world of FME parameters, a critical element in optimizing workflow efficiency. This webinar marks the beginning of our three-part “Essentials of Automation” series. This first webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to utilize parameters effectively: enhancing the flexibility, maintainability, and user control of your FME projects.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Essentials of FME Parameters: Understand the pivotal role of parameters, including Reader/Writer, Transformer, User, and FME Flow categories. Discover how they are the key to unlocking automation and optimization within your workflows.
- Practical Applications in FME Form: Delve into key user parameter types including choice, connections, and file URLs. Allow users to control how a workflow runs, making your workflows more reusable. Learn to import values and deliver the best user experience for your workflows while enhancing accuracy.
- Optimization Strategies in FME Flow: Explore the creation and strategic deployment of parameters in FME Flow, including the use of deployment and geometry parameters, to maximize workflow efficiency.
- Pro Tips for Success: Gain insights on parameterizing connections and leveraging new features like Conditional Visibility for clarity and simplicity.
We’ll wrap up with a glimpse into future webinars, followed by a Q&A session to address your specific questions surrounding this topic.
Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your FME expertise and drive your projects to new heights of efficiency.
Epistemic Interaction - tuning interfaces to provide information for AI supportAlan Dix
Paper presented at SYNERGY workshop at AVI 2024, Genoa, Italy. 3rd June 2024
https://alandix.com/academic/papers/synergy2024-epistemic/
As machine learning integrates deeper into human-computer interactions, the concept of epistemic interaction emerges, aiming to refine these interactions to enhance system adaptability. This approach encourages minor, intentional adjustments in user behaviour to enrich the data available for system learning. This paper introduces epistemic interaction within the context of human-system communication, illustrating how deliberate interaction design can improve system understanding and adaptation. Through concrete examples, we demonstrate the potential of epistemic interaction to significantly advance human-computer interaction by leveraging intuitive human communication strategies to inform system design and functionality, offering a novel pathway for enriching user-system engagements.
1. World Bank & Government of The Netherlands funded
Training module # WQ - 15
Understanding biochemical
oxygen demand test
New Delhi, May 1999
CSMRS Building, 4th Floor, Olof Palme Marg, Hauz Khas,
New Delhi – 11 00 16 India
Tel: 68 61 681 / 84 Fax: (+ 91 11) 68 61 685
E-Mail: dhvdelft@del2.vsnl.net.in
DHV Consultants BV & DELFT HYDRAULICS
with
HALCROW, TAHAL, CES, ORG & JPS
2. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 1
Table of contents
Page
1 Module context 2
2 Module profile 3
3 Session plan 4
4 Overhead/flipchart master 5
5 Evaluation sheets 21
6 Handout 23
7 Additional handout 28
8 Main text 30
3. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 2
1. Module context
This module deals with significance and understanding of biochemical oxygen demand
measurement. Modules in which prior training is required to complete this module
successfully and other available, related modules in this category are listed in the table
below.
While designing a training course, the relationship between this module and the others, would
be maintained by keeping them close together in the syllabus and place them in a logical
sequence. The actual selection of the topics and the depth of training would, of course,
depend on the training needs of the participants, i.e. their knowledge level and skills
performance upon the start of the course.
No. Module title Code Objectives
1 Basic water quality concepts WQ - 01 • Become familiar with common water
quality parameters.
• Appreciate important water quality
issues.
2 Basic chemistry concepts WQ - 02 • Convert units from one to another
• Understand the basic concepts of
quantitative chemistry
• Report analytical results with the
correct number of significant digits
3 How to prepare standard
solutions a
WQ - 04 • Recognise different types of
glassware
• Use an analytical balance and
maintain it.
• Prepare standard solutions
4 Understanding the chemistry
of dissolved oxygen
measurementa
WQ - 11 • Appreciate significance of DO
measurement
• Understand the chemistry of DO
measurement by Winkler method
5 How to measure dissolved
oxygen (DO)a
WQ - 12 • Measure dissolved oxygen in water
samples
6 Understanding dilution and
seeding procedures in BOD
test
WQ - 16 • Understand the need and procedure
for dilution and seeding in BOD
measurement
7 Understanding chemical
oxygen demand test
WQ - 18 • Appreciate significance of COD
measurement
• Understand the chemistry of COD
measurement
a – prerequisite
4. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 3
2. Module profile
Title : Understanding biochemical oxygen demand test
Target group : HIS function(s): Q1, Q2, Q3, Q5
Duration : 1 session of 75 min
Objectives : After the training the participants will be able to:
• Understand the significance and theory of BOD measurement
Key concepts : • Significance
• BIS procedure
• BOD progression
Training methods : Lecture, exercises and open discussion
Training tools
required
: OHS
Handouts : As provided in this module
Further reading
and references
: • Analytical Chemistry: An introduction, D.A. Skoog and D. M.
West/1986. Saunders College Publishing
• Chemistry for Environmental Engineering, C.N. Sawyer, P.L.
McCarty and C.F. Parkin. McGraw-Hill, 1994
5. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 4
3. Session plan
No Activities Time Tools
1 Preparations
2 Introduction:
• Ask participants to name some biochemical reactions
• Emphasise the role of the living agency
• Describe the content of the lecture
• Discuss significance of BOD test
15 min
OHS
3 BOD progression
• Describe BOD progression curve
• Explain how it can be measured
15 min
OHS
OHS
4 BIS procedure
• Explain the difference between the standard and BIS
procedures
5 min
OHS
5 Relation to other parameters
• Explain the difference and relation between BOD and
other parameters
5 min
OHS
6 Errors and interferences
• Discuss the need for standardisation of the procedure
10 min
OHS
7 BOD progression formulae
• Explain first order reaction
• Explain calculation procedure using simplified
approach and exponential function
20 min
OHS
8 Conclusion
• Recapitulate significance of the test
5 min
6. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 5
4. Overhead/flipchart master
OHS format guidelines
Type of text Style Setting
Headings: OHS-Title Arial 30-36, with bottom border line (not:
underline)
Text: OHS-lev1
OHS-lev2
Arial 24-26, maximum two levels
Case: Sentence case. Avoid full text in UPPERCASE.
Italics: Use occasionally and in a consistent way
Listings: OHS-lev1
OHS-lev1-Numbered
Big bullets.
Numbers for definite series of steps. Avoid
roman numbers and letters.
Colours: None, as these get lost in photocopying and
some colours do not reproduce at all.
Formulas/Equat
ions
OHS-Equation Use of a table will ease horizontal alignment
over more lines (columns)
Use equation editor for advanced formatting
only
7. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 6
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
1. Significance
2. BIS procedure
3. Relation to other parameters
4. Errors & interferences
5. BOD equation
8. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 7
Significance
• Biochemical reaction
• Measures oxygen equivalence of aggregate organic matter
micro-organisms
Organic matter + O2 ⇒ H2O + CO2
• Measures water pollution potential
• Depletion of DO adversely affects aquatic ecology
9. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 8
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0 5 10 15
Time (days)
BOD(mgO2/L)
Sample 1
Ultimate BOD
Sample 2
Oxygen uptake curves
10. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 9
BOD progression
• reaction requires time
• nearly 20 days to exert ultimate BOD
• rate depends on:
− organic matter,
− micro-organisms
− temperature
• faster at the beginning, then slows down
• only bio-degradable organic matter is oxidised
11. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 10
BOD progression: example
20o
C 27o
CDay
DO,mg/L Consumed DO,mg/L Consumed
0 8.0 0 8.0 0
1 6.4 1.6 5.6 2.4
2 5.1 2.9 3.9 4.1
3 4.1 3.9 2.7 5.3
4 3.3 4.7 1.9 6.1
5 2.6 5.4 1.3 6.7
12. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 11
BIS procedure
• Standard methods: 5 day, 20o
C
• BIS: 3 day, 27o
C
• Incubation temperature of 27o
C is easier to maintain
• Result available earlier
13. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 12
Other parameters for organic matter (1)
• Chemical oxygen demand, COD
− organic matter is oxidised chemically
• Total organic carbon, TOC
− organic matter is combusted
• Measure both biodegradable & non-biodegradable organic
matter
• Reaction is completed in a few hours
14. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 13
Other parameters for organic matter (2)
• BOD measures pollution potential of decomposable organic
matter
• COD is always greater than BOD
• TOC does not measure oxygen equivalence
• Both COD & TOC can be related to BOD
15. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 14
Errors & interferences (1)
• Organic matter is continually oxidised
− Preserve by cooling
• Extreme pH values
− adjust between pH 6.5 & 7.5
• Toxic substances
− remove by chemical reaction if possible
− provide acclimated seed
16. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 15
Errors & interferences (2)
• Presence of algae
− remove excess oxygen
− incubate in dark
• Nitrifying bacteria
− NH4
+
+ 2O2 ⇒ NO3
-
+ H2O + 2H+
− if measuring only carbonaceous demand add inhibitory chemical
17. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 16
BOD progression formula (1)
• First order reaction
• Oxygen demand exerted each day is a constant fraction of
the demand remaining
• Example:
− Calculate BOD exerted in 1,2, & 3 days,
− if 25% of remaining BOD is oxidised each day.
− The ultimate BOD is 256 mg/L
18. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 17
Example (contd)
Time,
day
BOD exerted
each day
Cumulative
BOD exerted
BOD
remaining
0 0 0 256
1 0.25x256 = 64 0+64 = 64 256-64 = 192
2 0.25x192 = 48 64+48 = 112 256-112 = 144
3 0.25x112 = 36 112+36 = 148 256-148 = 108
19. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 18
BOD Equation
yt = Lo (1- e -kt
)
yt = cumulative oxygen demand exerted
in time t days, mg/l
Lo= ultimate BOD, mg/L
k = BOD rate constant, per day
20. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 19
BOD rate constant
• characteristics of waste
• microbial population
• temperature
k1 = k2 1.047(T1-T2)
− k1 & k2 are rate constants at temperatures T1 & T2, respectively
21. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 20
BOD progression
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time, days
Oxygenconsumed,mg/L
k,27
o
C = 0.3/d
k,20
o
C 0.22/d
22. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 21
5. Evaluation sheets
24. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 23
6. Handout
25. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 24
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
1. Significance
2. BIS procedure
3. Relation to other parameters
4. Errors & interferences
5. BOD equation
Significance
• Biochemical reaction
• Measures oxygen equivalence of aggregate organic matter
micro-organisms
Organic matter + O2 ⇒ H2O + CO2
• Measures water pollution potential
• Depletion of DO adversely affects aquatic ecology
BOD progression
• reaction requires time
• nearly 20 days to exert ultimate BOD
• rate depends on:
− organic matter,
− micro-organisms
− temperature
• faster at the beginning, then slows down
• only bio-degradable organic matter is oxidised
BOD progression: example
20o
C 27o
CDay
DO,mg/L Consumed DO,mg/L Consumed
0 8.0 0 8.0 0
1 6.4 1.6 5.6 2.4
2 5.1 2.9 3.9 4.1
3 4.1 3.9 2.7 5.3
4 3.3 4.7 1.9 6.1
5 2.6 5.4 1.3 6.7
26. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 25
BIS procedure
• Standard methods: 5 day, 20o
C
• BIS: 3 day, 27o
C
• Incubation temperature of 27o
C is easier to maintain
• Result available earlier
Other parameters for organic matter (1)
• Chemical oxygen demand, COD
− organic matter is oxidised chemically
• Total organic carbon, TOC
− organic matter is combusted
• Measure both biodegradable & non-biodegradable organic matter
• Reaction is completed in a few hours
Other parameters for organic matter (2)
• BOD measures pollution potential of decomposable organic matter
• COD is always greater than BOD
• TOC does not measure oxygen equivalence
• Both COD & TOC can be related to BOD
Errors & interferences (1)
• Organic matter is continually oxidised
− Preserve by cooling
• Extreme pH values
− adjust between pH 6.5 & 7.5
• Toxic substances
− remove by chemical reaction if possible
− provide acclimated seed
Errors & interferences (2)
• Presence of algae
− remove excess oxygen
− incubate in dark
• Nitrifying bacteria
− NH4
+
+ 2O2 ⇒ NO3- + H2O + 2H+
− if measuring only carbonaceous demand add inhibitory chemical
27. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 26
BOD progression formula (1)
• First order reaction
• Oxygen demand exerted each day is a constant fraction of the demand remaining
• Example:
− Calculate BOD exerted in 1,2, & 3 days,
− if 25% of remaining BOD is oxidised each day.
− The ultimate BOD is 256 mg/L
Example (contd)
Time, day BOD exerted each day Cumulative BOD exerted BOD remaining
0 0 0 256
1 0.25x256 = 64 0+64 = 64 256-64 = 192
2 0.25x192 = 48 64+48 = 112 256-112 = 144
3 0.25x112 = 36 112+36 = 148 256-148 = 108
BOD Equation
yt = Lo (1- e -kt
)
yt = cumulative oxygen demand exerted
in time t days, mg/l
Lo= ultimate BOD, mg/L
k = BOD rate constant, per day
BOD rate constant
• characteristics of waste
• microbial population
• temperature
k1 = k2 1.047(T1-T2)
k1 & k2 are rate constants at temperatures T1 & T2, respectively
28. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 27
Add copy of Main text in chapter 8, for all participants.
.
29. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 28
7. Additional handout
These handouts are distributed during delivery and contain test questions, answers to
questions, special worksheets, optional information, and other matters you would not like to
be seen in the regular handouts.
It is a good practice to pre-punch these additional handouts, so the participants can easily
insert them in the main handout folder.
31. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02Page 30
8. Main text
Contents
1. Introduction 1
2. The BOD Test 1
3. Factors Affecting the Oxygen Demand
Rate 3
4. Relationship of BOD to Other Water
Quality Parameters 4
5. Sample Handling 4
6. Interferences 4
7. BOD Progression Equation 5
8. Problems 7
32. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 1
Understanding biochemical oxygen demand test
1. Introduction
The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) test is an experimentally derived analytical method
designed to give an indication of the polluting nature of organic matter in a sample of water.
It measures aggregate organic matter. How this is achieved is described below.
When organic polluting matter is discharged to the aquatic environment it will normally
degrade through the action of micro-organisms in the watercourse. In degrading the organic
matter, micro-organisms take up atmospheric oxygen which is dissolved in the water. Such
an uptake of dissolved oxygen (called an ‘oxygen demand’) can, if sufficient oxygen is lost,
lead to the degradation of water quality as aquatic plants and animals (including fish) need to
breathe this dissolved gas and will die or migrate if it is unavailable. If the dissolved oxygen
is totally depleted, foul odours and unsightly conditions are created.
The BOD test was designed to provide a measure of this uptake of oxygen by attempting to
recreate in the laboratory environment some of the conditions that prevail in nature. Not all
such conditions can be recreated, however, and so the BOD test merely gives an indication
of likely pollution. It does not attempt to describe it exactly.
2. The BOD Test
Once material, which has a biochemical oxygen demand, is discharged to a watercourse it
begins to take up dissolved oxygen at a rate which depends on the temperature and the type
of material discharged. Generally, simple, non-toxic organic chemicals are degraded more
quickly than complex molecules and thus can exert their oxygen demand more quickly. This
can be seen in Figure 1 below which shows two samples that have been tested for oxygen
demand over a number of days.
Sample 1 represents an effluent, which exerts its oxygen demand quickly, whereas Sample
2 consumes oxygen more slowly as seen by the flatter shape of the curve. Sample 1 could
represent a discharge containing sugar, milk, blood, untreated sewage effluent or some
other easily oxidised material. Sample 2, on the other hand, might represent a typical oxygen
demand curve for an effluent containing more complex organic materials which are more
difficult to oxidise such as industrial chemicals, solvents, fats or a treated sewage effluent.
Typically, oxygen demand curves are of the shape shown in Figure 1 because some
material within the sample will be oxidised quickly, giving rise to the initially steep slope of
the curve, and some material will be oxidised more slowly leading to the subsequent flatter
appearance. The point at the end of each curve, where it approaches the horizontal, is
sometimes known as the ‘ultimate BOD (UBOD or BOD-U) of a sample; depending upon the
organic material being tested it can take many days or even weeks to reach this point. For
convenience, a twenty-day BOD (BOD20) is often considered to be equal to the ultimate
BOD. In Figure 1 you may note that both the samples probably have the same BOD-U value.
33. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 2
Figure 1. Oxygen uptake curves : Sample 1 – easily degradable organics, Sample2 –
difficult to degrade organics.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0 5 10 15
Time (days)
BOD(mgO2/L)
Sample 1
Ultimate BOD
Sample 2
For the sake of convenience and reproducibility, the standard BOD test carried out in the
laboratory is run at a constant temperature and is time limited. Often the test is carried out
over five days at 20o
C and is designated as ‘BOD5’. However, three day (BOD3), seven day
(BOD7) and other period tests are also used. In India a three day BOD test at 27o
C has been
standardised (Bureau of Indian Standards) and hence this training will relate to this time
period and temperature. As can be seen from Figure 1, the three day test will normally result
in lower BOD values than a five day test. When the temperature is increased from 20o
C to
27o
C the reaction proceeds at a faster rate and hence the difference between the 3 day and
5 day tests is minimal.
When performed in the laboratory, the Indian Standard BOD test involves assessing the loss
of dissolved oxygen in a sample incubated for three days at 27o
C. This is done by comparing
the dissolved oxygen concentration of a water sample which has been incubated for three
days with the dissolved oxygen concentration of the sample before incubation. The loss of
dissolved oxygen over the three day period is then reported as the BOD (or more correctly
BOD3) of the sample.
34. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 3
Example 1
The following table gives DO values in BOD bottles, containing identical samples when
incubated at 20 and 27 o
C over a period of 5 days. It also gives the cumulative oxygen
uptake values. Note that the BOD3 27 o
C and BOD5 20 o
C values are nearly the same.
Day DO, mg/L
20 o
C
Total DO
consumed,
mg/L, 20 o
C
DO, mg/L
27 o
C
Total DO
consumed,
mg/L, 27 o
C
0 8.0 0 8.0 0
1 6.4 1.6 5.6 2.4
2 5.1 2.9 3.9 4.1
3 4.1 3.9 2.7 5.3
4 3.3 4.7 1.9 6.1
5 2.6 5.4 1.3 6.3
3. Factors Affecting the Oxygen Demand Rate
The rate at which organic matter is oxidised in the aquatic environment depends upon a
number of factors including the following:
• the composition of the material
• the temperature
• the concentration of micro-organisms present
With regard to temperature, generally the rate of the BOD reaction increases with increasing
temperature. In the laboratory, therefore, the BOD test is carried out at a standard
temperature of 27°C in order that results are comparable with each other. It is important to
remember, however, that in the environment the oxygen demand reaction may proceed at a
greater or lesser rate depending upon the ambient temperature.
The concentration of micro-organisms present in the watercourse or water sample bottle
also has an effect on the rate of the BOD reaction. Under normal circumstances there are
usually sufficient numbers of suitable micro-organisms present to allow the BOD reaction to
proceed. Occasionally, however, particularly if the water contains chemicals which are toxic
to bacteria, no, or few, micro-organisms are present to carry out the oxygen demand
reaction. If the BOD of such a sample were to be determined, it would produce a result much
lower than the concentration of organic matter in the sample would suggest. To prevent this
false low result in the laboratory, the sample must be ‘seeded’ with suitable bacteria. Usually
a small amount of settled raw sewage is used as a source of seed. In case the waste is toxic
in nature an acclimated seed must be developed.
In order that a BOD test is successful, some residual DO must remain in the bottle after the
incubation. Since DO saturation values are in the range of 8 to 9 mg/L, a sample whose
BOD is higher has to be diluted.
Procedures for seeding and dilution are described in the analytical procedure for BOD
determination.
35. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 4
4. Relationship of BOD to Other Water Quality Parameters
There are a number of other ways of measuring the amount of organic pollution in water.
Two methods in particular are worthy of discussion in this respect as they are related in
different ways to the BOD.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is also a measure of the organic pollution present in the
water. Like BOD, it is a measure of the oxygen demand exerted by organic matter when it is
discharged to the water environment. It differs from BOD, however, in the method of
determination of the oxygen demand as this is ascertained by means of a chemical test. A
strong chemical oxidising agent is used under extreme laboratory conditions to ensure that
virtually all organic matter within the sample is oxidised during the analysis some of which
may not be susceptible to bacterial decomposition. The amount of oxygen used during the
test is then calculated. Some naturally occurring organic compounds such as celluloses,
fulvic acids, lignins or many synthetic petrochemicals, are either nondecomposable or are
degraded at a very slow rate by bacteria. For a given water sample, therefore, COD is
always greater than BOD.
It is also possible to measure the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) content of a water sample.
The analysis can be carried out in a number of ways and, as its name implies, measures all
the carbon, which is bound up in the organic matter within the water sample. TOC is
therefore related to BOD and COD as most of the oxygen demand measured during these
analyses is due to organic carbon.
Due to the fact that the BOD of a sample can be related to both the COD and the TOC, it is
sometimes possible to estimate the BOD from either the COD or the TOC. However, before
this can be attempted, it is necessary to establish a relationship between these two
parameters for a particular sampling point. This is done by carrying out many BOD and COD
or TOC analyses on the sampling point under various conditions so that a reliable ratio can
be established.
5. Sample Handling
Provided conditions are right, organic matter discharged to the aquatic environment will be
continually oxidised and thus exert an oxygen demand. Once a sample of water containing
organic material is taken from a water body there is nothing to stop the oxidation reactions
within the sample bottle, thereby altering the BOD of the sample. To limit this change in the
BOD, it is preferable if samples are analysed as soon as possible after collection. If they
cannot be analysed immediately, samples should be stored at 4 to 5O
C. This greatly reduces
the rate of oxidation reactions so that the BOD does not change significantly.
6. Interferences
The BOD test relies on micro-organisms degrading the organic matter present in the sample
during the analysis. For this reason, the conditions of the analysis must allow the micro-
organisms to grow, as far as possible, without undue environmental stress. If the pH of the
sample is too low (below 6.5) or too high (above 7.5), the BOD analysis may be affected by
the bacteria’s ability to grow in such conditions. Therefore, samples with a pH below 6.5 and
above 7.5 on reaching the laboratory, should be adjusted by the addition of acid or alkali, to
a pH within the range 6.5 to 7.5.
As discussed above, the presence of toxic material in the BOD sample will also inhibit the
analysis and will mean that the sample must be ‘seeded’ with bacteria in order for the test to
proceed normally. If the toxicity of the sample is due to the presence of chlorine this should
be neutralised by adding sodium thiosulphate or sodium bisulphite prior to ‘seeding’.
36. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 5
Sometimes waters, particularly those containing high concentrations of algae, may be
‘supersaturated’ with dissolved oxygen (that is, due to pure oxygen production by algae
during photosynthesis, the water has a higher concentration of oxygen than normal
saturation value). If this is the case, the sample should be shaken in a partially filled bottle so
that all excess oxygen is lost before the BOD analysis takes place. If such a procedure is not
carried out , the excess oxygen may be lost during the BOD test leading to an incorrect
result.
Organic compounds are not the only materials which, when discharged to the aquatic
environment, have an oxygen demand. Most notably ammonia, either free or when released
from nitrogen containing organic compounds, is also oxidised in watercourses resulting in
depletion of dissolved oxygen. The oxidation of nitrogen compounds, carried out by nitrifying
bacteria, (a process known as nitrification) in the BOD sample can be suppressed, by the
addition of an inhibitory chemical, so that only the BOD resulting from the oxidation of carbon
compounds is determined. If such a chemical is not added the resulting BOD may be a
combination of the oxygen demand caused by both carbonaceous matter and ammonia
based material in the sample. This is particularly the case for biologically treated secondary
effluents. Oxygen consumption due to ammonia oxidation may be important in case of study
of dissolved oxygen resources of receiving waters.
In many wastes where the concentration of nitrifying bacteria is relatively low (e.g., raw
sewage, industrial effluents) the bulk of the oxygen demand will be due to carbonaceous
material. The nitrification reaction starts only after most of the organic matter is oxidised
which may take from 10 to 15 days.
The presence of algae in the BOD sample may also lead to false results if the bottles are not
stored in the dark. This is because algae have the ability to produce oxygen during
photosynthesis making it impossible to decide how much oxygen the organic matter
consumed.
7. BOD Progression Equation
The BOD progression can be approximated by a first order reaction. In simple terms the
oxygen demand exerted in a day is a constant fraction of the demand remaining.
Example 2
Calculate the oxygen demand exerted by a sample of industrial waste whose ultimate BOD
is 256 mg/L, in 1, 2, and 3 days. Assume that 25% of remaining demand is exerted each
day.
37. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 6
Time
day
BOD exerted each day
mg/L
Cumulative BOD exerted
mg/L
BOD remaining
mg/L
(1) (2) (3) (4)
0 0 0 256
1 64 64 192
2 48 112 144
3 36 148 108
(2) at t = 25% of (4) at (t-1),
(3) at t = (2) at t + (3) at (t-1),
(4) = 256 – (3)
The above relation can also be expressed in the form of an exponential equation:
Yt = Lo (1 - e -kt
)
where,
Yt = BOD exerted in time t, d
Lo = BOD-U, mg/L
k = BOD rate constant, d –1
The rate constants for a waste, k1 and k2, at two temperatures T1 and T2, respectively can
be related to each other by the equation:
k1 = k2 1.047(T1 – T2)
.
Example 3
Calculate the BOD progressions for 5 days at one day intervals for a water sample at 20 and
27 o
C. Th BOD-U is 12 mg/L and the rate constant for 20 o
C is 0.22 d-1
. Plot the results on a
graph and compare BOD3 at 27o
C with BOD5 at 20o
C.
(1) Calculate the BOD rate constant at 27 o
C:
k27 = k20 1.047(T1-T2)
= 0.22 x 1.047(27-20)
= 0.3 d –1
(2) Set up calculation table:
T = 20 o
C, k20 = 0.22 d -1
T = 27 o
C, k27 = 0.3 d -1
t, d
1-e-0.22t
Yt=12(1-e-0.22t
) 1-e-0.3t
Yt=12(1-e-0.3t
)
1 0.1975 2.4 0.259 3.1
2 0.356 4.3 0.451 5.4
3 0.483 5.8 0.593 7.1
4 0.588 7.0 0.699 8.4
5 0.667 8.0 0.777 9.3
38. Hydrology Project Training Module File: “ 15 Understanding BOD test.doc” Version 05/11/02 Page 7
(3) Plot the Y, Oxygen consumed values against t, time. Note that BOD3, 27o
C is nearly
same as BOD5 20o
C
8. Problems
1. What use is made of BOD test in water pollution control?
2. Name three precautions which should be taken while conducting a BOD test.
3. Is the BOD test a measure of microorganisms, organic matter or dissolved oxygen?
4. The BOD value is always less than the COD value. Give two possible reasons.
5. Two samples have identical BOD3, 27o
C values of 4.5 mg/L but different reaction rate
constants equal to 0.15 and 0.25 per day.
a. Estimate their ultimate BOD values.
b. Sketch the BOD progression curves.
c. Which sample has greater potential for causing environmental damage?
6. A sample of wastewater has BOD3, 27o
C equal to 200 mg/L and a rate constant equal to
0.4 per day.
a. Calculate its ultimate BOD.
b. What percent of remaining BOD is exerted each day?
BOD Progression
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time (days)
OxygenConsumed(mg/l)
27
o
C
20
o
C