MEASUREMENT REPORT

Name: Neptun code: Date:

Rami Tommalieh BDHX99 27/05/2023

Determination of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) values for

different water samples by
OxiTop® IS 12 BOD measuring system
1. Objectives
Determination of BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) values for tap water (as a controll
sample) and different waste water samples by OxiTop® IS 12 BOD measuring system.
2. Theoretical bases:
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is an important parameter in water resource
management, to measure the quality of water and treatment results in wastewater. In addition,
BOD analysis potential is used in the planning and design of wastewater treatment facilities.
In routine use BOD determination is used to check the wastewater in the inflow and discharge
of wastewater treatment plants.

Depending on the measurement site and type of wastewater the BOD value can lie between a
few mg/L and several thousand mg/L. Several methods are aviable for carrying out the
measurement.
In „BOD self-cheks” with respirometer, the reduction on oxygen causes a definite pressure
difference that can be measured by piezoresistive electronic pressure sensor.
With several useful function, the OxiTop measuring system minimizes the measuring work
and is especially suited to the courses of the respirometric BOD measurement.
This practical method is very easy to perform. The method requires the samples to be kept at
20 oC (68 oF) for 5 days in a temperature controlled incubator. The measured value is BOD5
in mg/L. The complete degradation of organic substances requires about 20 days, but the
largest portion of organic substances can be degraded by 5 days, too. BOD20 value can be
calculated from BOD5 values:

BOD20= 1.25 x BOD5

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Definition of BOD:
Standard method for indirect measurement of the amount of organic pollution (that can be
oxidized biologically) in a sample of water. BOD test procedure is based on the activities of
bacteria and other aerobic microorganisms (microbes), which feed on organic matter in
presence of oxygen. The result of a BOD test indicates the amount of water-dissolved oxygen
(expressed as parts per million or milligrams per liter of water) consumed by microbes
incubated in darkness for five days at an ambient temperature of 20
higher the amount of pollution in the test sample. Normally municipal wastewater does not
contain toxic or impeding substances. There are enough nutrient salts and suitable
microorganisms. Under these conditions the BOD5 determination with OxiTop measuring
system is possible in the undiluted sample.
A BOD determination is only possible with an adapted biology that must not be damaged,
inhibited or destroyed by the sample!
Measuring principles:
In the same way as we human beings require oxygen, many microorganisms also require
oxygen to obtain energy. This biochemical oxygen demand can be determined by measuring
this phenomenon. Bacteria inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide:

Organic substance + O2 bacteria CO2 + H2O

If the microorganisms consume oxygen in the aqueous phase, oxygen from the gas phase is
added as the partial pressure of the gases present constantly adapt. The partial oxygen
pressure is of significance to the respirometric measurement. The partial oxygen pressure in
the aqueous phase is the same as the partial oxygen pressure in the gas phase. In order to
accelerate the exchange and to prevent oxygen deficiency in the measurement sample, the
material under test is thoroughly mixed during the entire duration of the measurement.

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 Required instruments and accessories:

OxiTop measuring system: it is based on pressure

measurements in a closed system: microorganisms in
the sample consume the oxygen and form CO2; the
CO2 is absorbed by NaOH, creating a vacuum that can
be measured as a mg/L BOD value.
Measurement range: 0-40 digit corresponding to 0-
40/80/200/400/800/2000/4000 mg/L BOD.
OxiTop heads (green and yellow) have an AutoTemp
function: if the sample temperature is too cold, the
start of measurement is automatically delayed by at
least 1 hour until a constant temperature has been
reached. Apart from the automatic storage of 5
measured values (1 value per day), further measured
values can be read at all times during or after the
period of 5 days, which permits the tracking of check
values or measurements over longer periods.
Head contains 1 piezoelecctric pressure sensor; 2
operating keys: M for showing the current value, S for
showing the stored value; 2-placed LED, displaying

working life of 1 year. Conversion of mbar to digits is

stored in the instrument, i.e. evaluation of the
measured values remains unchanged.
Inductive stirring system:
Stirrers IS 12 have been specially developed for BOD
measurement with the OxiTop system. Software-
controlled speed regulation prevent the magnetic
stirrer bar from getting cought or wobblong.

Incubator themostatic box (temperature: ):

To incubate samples at a constant, desired temperature
during the reaction period, a termostat cabinet is
necessary. It is fitted with internal power socket and 4
shelves are also available in it, thus enabling
simultaneous temperature control of up to 48 standard
BOD samples.

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Brown sample bottles (nominal volume 510 ml):
Brown glass prevents any possible growth of algae. In
order to close the gratuated measuring flask so that it
is leakproof, it is sufficient to tightly screw on the
OxiTop measuring head.

Graduated overflow measuring beakers/flasks: the

sample volume used regulates the amount of oxygen
available for a complete BOD. The expected range of
measurement of the sample determines the volume to
be used. The two volumes that are most often required
are 164 mL and 432 mL. The volumes used are
selected so that the factors for calculating the BOD5
are even-numbered.

Nitrification inhibitor, NTH 600 solution

(allylthiourea): The so-called nitrificants (typically
nitrosomonas and nitrobacter bacteria) also consume
oxygen in the conversation of ammonium to nitrite
and nitrate. This consumption is not included in the
BOD5 value. Consequently, an inhibitor is added to
the measurement solution to prevent the conversation
of ammonium to nitrate.

Stirring rods (bars) and stirring bar remover: the

magnetic stirrer rods that are supplied are designed
specially for the bottles so that they provide optimum
mixing of the sample.

Rubber sleeve and Sodium hydroxide tablets: Tablets

are used to absorb carbon dioxide. 2 tablets NaOH are
required for each measurements. You have to put
tablets into rubber sleeve and after that put the rubber
sleeve into the neck of sample bottle. As a result of the
reaction with carbon dioxide in which water is formed
and due to the hygroscopic properties of NaOH, the
tablets become damp or are dissolved during the
measurement.

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3. Experiment Outline
1. Estimation the measuring range of sample to be analysed.
Measuring range Sample volume (mL) Factor Nitrification inhibitor
(mg/L) solution (drops)
0-40 432,0 1 9
0-80 365,0 2 7
0-200 250,0 5 5
0-400 164,0 10 3
0-800 97,0 20 2
0-2000 43,5 20 1
0-4000 22,7 100 1

2. Taking suitable signs on the sample bottles.

Group Number/ Measuring range Paralel measurements: 3 times
Sample ID
Sample 1. 0-40 mg/L 1/1. 1/2. 1/3.

Sample 2. 0-400 mg/L 2/1. 2/2. 2/3.

Sample 3. 0-800 mg/L 3/1. 3/2. 3/3.

3. Rinsing the overflow measuring flask with the measured sample using gloves.
4. Addition the nitrification inhibitor solution (NTH 600) to the sample bottle (See the 1.
point table).
5. Filling the overflow measuring flask with the homogenized sample.
6. Transfering the selected volume of sample to the sample bottle.
7. Inserting a magnetic stirrer bar into the bottle.
8. Inserting the rubber sleeve in the neck of the bottle.
9. Placing 2 sodium hydroxide (NaOH) tablets in the rubber sleeve with tweezers. (Caution!
The tablets must never come into the sample!)
10. Screwing OxiTop head directly on sample bottle.
11. Starting measurement: Press S and M simultaneously (2 seconds) untill the display shows
00.
__ 2 sec 00 Display: Stored values are deleted

12. Keeping the measuring bottles for 5 d termostatic cabinet). After the
measuring temperature has been reached (after 1 hour at the earliest, after 3 hour at the latest;
AutoTemp function), the OxiTop automatically starts the measurement of oxygen
consumption. During the 5 days the sample is countinously stirred.

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The OxiTop automatically stores one value every 24 hours for 5 days. To have the current
value shown press the M key.

M Display current measured value:

Press M until measured value is displayed (1 second)
39 e.g.

13. Readouting of the stored values after the 5 days have passed.

S Recall stored value:

Press S until measured value is displayed (1 second).
Scroll to next day by repressing the S key while the
measured value is displayed (5 sec). Fast scrolling by
repeatedly pressing the S key.

Converting the displayed measured value (digits) into BOD value with the given factors
(Digits x Factor = BOD5 in mg/L).
(You must be multiplied the digits with given factor to get BOD5 values!)

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Table to data recording:
Samples Digit factor 1st day 2nd day 3th day 4th day 5th day BOD5
(mg/L)
1/1. * 0 0 0 0 0
** 0 0 0 0 0
1/2. 1 3 3 3 3 3 2
3 3 3 3 3
1/3. 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3 3
2/1. 1 1 2 2 2
10 10 20 20 20
2/2. 0 1 1 1 1
10 16.67
0 10 10 10 10
2/3. 0 1 1 1 2
0 10 10 10 20
3/1. 2 4 6 7 9
40 80 120 140 180
3/2. 3 6 8 9 11
20 206.67
60 120 160 180 220
3/3. 3 5 7 9 11
60 100 140 180 220
* Reading value
** Converted values (Digits x Factor)

4. Measuring Table:

Group number:

Sample Sample Measuring Sample Nitrification Factor BOD5 BOD5 Average

type ID range volume inhibitor values at values BOD5
(mg/L) (mL) solution the 5th (mg/L) value
(drops) day in (mg/L)
digits Digits x
Factor
1/1. 0-40 432* 9 1 0 1
1/2. 0-40 432* 9 1 3 1 2
1/3. 0-40 432* 9 1 3 1
2/1. 0-400 164* 3 10 2 10
2/2. 0-400 164* 3 10 1 10 16.67
2/3. 0-400 164* 3 10 2 10
3/1. 0-800 97** 2 20 9 20
3/2. 0-800 97** 2 20 11 20
206.67
3/3. 0-800 97** 2 20 11 20
Temperature of measurement:
Starting time:
* Use overflow measuring flask
**Use measuring cylinder

5. Evaluation:
Illustration of the BOD values in the granted paper. After illustration please attach the filled
paper to the report.

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CamScanner
6. Cleaning:
Cleaning of the OxiTop Single Measuring System using the given information.

7. Disscussion:
BOD is a standard method for measuring the quantity of organic pollutants in a water sample in
an indirect manner. The higher the BOD, the more pollution in the test sample. Three separate
samples were analyzed in this experiment: tap water, surface water, and grey water.
The average BOD5 level in tap water was 2 mg/l. This figure is in the middle of the range
and is close to the expected outcome. According to the literature, the value for tap water is often
low, generally close to 0 or in the 1-3 mg/l range.
The average BOD5 concentration in surface water was 16.67mg/l. Although the BOD5 of surface
water varies based on location and the presence of pollution sources, the figure obtained falls
within the predicted range.
The average BOD5 level in grey water was 206.67 mg/l. Because this sort of sample often
contains organic compounds, its BOD5 levels are expected to be higher than those of tap water
and surface water. The obtained values are within the predicted range.

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