EPA-670/4-74-001
February 1974
Environmental Monitoring Series
LITERATURE SURVEY
OF INSTRUMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
OF BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
FOR CONTROL APPLICATION 1960-1973
National Environmental Research Center
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
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EPA-670/4-74-001
February 1974
LITERATURE SURVEY OF INSTRUMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
GP BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND FOR CONTROL APPLICATION
1960-1973
by
Robert J. O'Herron
Methods Development and Quality Assurance
Research. Laboratory
Program Element.No. 1HA327
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
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REVIEW NOTICE
The National Environmental Research Center --
Cincinnati has reviewed this report and approved
its publication. Approval does not signify that
the contents necessarily reflect the views and
policies of the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, nor does mention of trade names or
commercial products constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
11
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FOREWORD
Man and his environment must be protected from the adverse effects
of pesticides', radiation, noise and other forms of pollution, and
the unwise management of solid waste. Efforts to protect the
environment require a focus that recognizes the interplay between
the components of our physical environment--air, water, and land.
The National Environmental Research Centers provide this multi-
disciplinary focus through programs engaged in
• studies on the effects of environmental
contaminants on man and the biosphere, and
• a search for ways to prevent contamination
and to recycle valuable resources.
This report is part of a continued effort by the Instrumentation
Development Branch, Methods Development and Quality Assurance
Research Laboratory, NERC, Cincinnati, to evaluate instruments
and provide information to both users and suppliers. It is also
intended that instrumentation be upgraded and that a choice of
the most suitable instrument can be made for a particular appli-
cation.
A. W. Breidenbach, Ph.D.
Director
National Environmental
Research Center, Cincinnati
111
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ABSTRACT
Development of a rapid, instrumental method for determining waste
loading in terms of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) would further
the efforts of controlling the unit processes of sewage treatment.
This report attempted to determine the "state of the art" of
instrumental biochemical oxygen demand methods through a survey
of related literature that included material published between
1960 and 1973. The slow rate of microbial reactions made the
task of an instrumental approach to BOD difficult. Microorganism
variability in numbers, kind, and acclimation caused a lack of
reproducibility. Although the present "state of the art" does not
permit instrumental measurement of BOD for process control, an
alternative solution is suggested for secondary treatment plants.
Further research is needed to supplant the BOD test with this
method. A process needs to be determined (e.g., biofiltration
and recirculation) to reduce the BOD of a secondary effluent sam-
ple to a sufficiently low value. Differential measurements (ATOC,
ATOD, or ACOD) of the secondary effluent and the processed sample
produces a good estimate of the ultimate BOD. Successful efforts
in this research would produce greater operating efficiency and
reduction in pollution discharge to receiving streams by the waste
treatment plants.
IV
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CONTENTS
Page
Abstract iv
Sections
I Conclusions 1
II Recommendations 2
III Introduction 4
IV Background 5
V BOD Test 6
VI Instrumental BOD 8
VII Related Organic Pollution Measurement 10
VIII Correlations Between BOD, COD, TOG, and TOD 13
IX Differential Measurements 15
X Differential Measurements for Process Control 17
XI Summary 21
XII References 22
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SECTION I
CONCLUSIONS
A most urgent need in the waste treatment field is that of an on-
line biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) instrument suitable to control
the treatment process. The slow rate of microbial reactions makes
the task of an instrumental approach to BOD difficult. The BOD
test is losing its status as a standard method; lack of reproduci-
bility because of microorganism variability in numbers, kind, and
acclimation are the reasons that BOD test results are questioned.
Therefore, a new standard, amenable to instrumental measurement,
is critically needed to supplant the BOD test for the measurement
of waste water loading. In addition, the standard should be
independent of microbiological activities and their inherent un-
certainties, although it must show the results of biological
action because, presently, secondary treatment plants are almost
exclusively biological.
Differential measurements, such as differential chemical oxygen
demand (ACOD), in conjunction with further treatment of sampled
effluents of treatment plants, will show the effects of bio-
logical action. The differential indications are a result of
organic wastes being removed by the degradation and assimilation
of microorganisms in the treatment process. More research effort
is needed on the differential measurement approach so that the
BOD test can be supplanted as the standard of waste load, and
the information of the BOD test can be obtained more directly,
rapidly, and reproducibly.
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SECTION II
RECOMMENDATIONS
The approach contemplated for this literature survey was to relate
ACOD measurements across a treatment- plant to methods of process
19 20
control. Although papers by Gaudy ' and others indicated that
this approach was not unique, the practice does not appear to be
widespread, possibly because further refinement is necessary. The
ACOD does give a measurement related to the organic matter removed
by microorganisms in the treatment plant, but it does not give any
estimate of the total organic matter in the waste to begin with.
The efficiency of waste removal is a variable to be determined
itself; therefore, more information is needed. More research in
this area could lead to ways to further remove BOD from a sampled
effluent. If the rate and extent of BOD removal is acceptable, a
very good estimate of the ultimate BOD can be made by adding the
ACOD measured across the process to that measured across the treat-
ment plant. This differential approach may also be applied to
total organic carbon (TOC) and total oxygen demand (TOD). In fact,
the TOC would be the measurement of choice because all of the carbon
of a sample is converted to carbon dioxide without interferences.
Incomplete combustion occurs for some nitrogen and sulfur compounds
in the instrumental measurement of TOD and COD. The effect, however,
of the incomplete combustion is reduced because the measurement of
difference is being made. Therefore, it is recommended that various
biofiltration media be tested and that ATOC, ATOD, ACOD, or all
three measurements be made and analyzed for correlation to the BOD
dilution test. The intent is to provide a sample process amenable
to inclusion in a control approach for waste treatment plants.
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Automation of these differential measurements would involve various
sampling devices and their control, analog to digital converters,
storage registers, and other digital logic techniques. Servo-
mechanism techniques, or direct digital control would be adaptable
for controlling elements of the individual processes. Process
control ability can be demonstrated, initially, in a pilot treat-
ment plant.
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SECTION III
INTRODUCTION
The intent of this literature survey, which includes material
published between 1960 and 1973, is to determine the "state of
the art" of instrumental biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) methods.
The ultimate goal is an instrument capable of controlling the
waste treatment process. Such an instrument must detect waste
loads and indicate the effectiveness of the waste treatment
process in removing the waste.
Sources of information for this survey have included textbooks
concerning waste treatment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) publications and training manuals, journals in the environ-
mental and waste treatment field, and bibliographic references.
28
Of particular usefulness was a related abstract search. The
Water Resources Abstract publication of the U.S. Department of
the Interior was also very useful. Background information was
obtained on the microbial, mathematical, and chemical aspects of
BOD as well as on instrumental approaches to its measurement. Some
pertinent background information is not specifically referred to
elsewhere in the text.13>21>31>34>37>40>44 The NERC _ Cincinnati
Library was most helpful in obtaining copies of the related papers.
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SECTION IV
BACKGROUND
The development of an effective and practical control scheme for
treating municipal sewage is hindered by the inability to measure
2 4 24 25
BOD on-line. '* Although the BOD test has many disad-
vantages, it is the conventional standard of waste load measure-
ment. ' ' Development of a rapid, instrumental method for
determining waste loading in terms of BOD or its equivalent would
further the efforts of controlling the unit processes of sewage
treatment. This control would result in greater plant operating
efficiency. The resultant reduction in pollution discharge to
receiving streams would enhance their quality significantly. A
direct, rapid, reproducible measurement of waste loading, then,
is required for the often-stated goal of EPA and the waste treat-
ment field—obtaining an on-line BOD sensor.
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SECTION V
BOD TEST
BOD is usually defined as the amount of oxygen that bacteria
require while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aero-
bic conditions. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the energy source of
these microorganisms when they act upon the organic waste. In
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
it states that BOD determination is an empirical test used to
estimate the relative oxygen requirements of wastewaters, effluents,
and polluted waters and that its most frequent use is in measuring
waste loadings of treatment plants and in evaluating the efficiency
(BOD removal) of such treatment systems. Since complete stabili-
zation of a given waste is not feasible, a 5-day standard is used
to obtain a practical estimate of the BOD. Mathematical rela-
38
tionships based upon a first-order chemical reaction are used
in determining the ultimate BOD. Dilution commonly provides the
excess oxygen required for heavy oxygen demanding wastes. An
acclimated seed from a receiving stream is generally employed to
furnish microorganisms for the test.
The BOD test is losing its status as a standard because of the
difficulty encountered in controlling the variables involved:
time, seeding, dilution, temperature, pH, and toxic substances.
In addition, the first-order assumption is presently recognized as
1 18
an oversimplification. ' The variability and acclimation of
microorganisms used in seeding are given as the primary cause for
lack of accuracy and reproducibility of interlaboratory BOD tests
on known, single source samples. Process control using the BOD
measurement is completely ruled out because of the extensive time
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required to complete the test. Many sources, however, have
indicated the urgent need for an on-line instrumental measurement
of BOD. ' ' ' Perhaps, this controversy over the BOD is put
in its proper perspective by A. F. Gaudy, whose recommendation
19 20
will be discussed more fully later. '
"It is necessary to make a distinction between the
concept and the test (BOD test). While we can defend
and recommend the concept, we shall not defend the
test for all its present applications, but will rec-
ommend a more satisfactory measurement for assessing
efficiency of treatment by the activated sludge
process."
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SECTION VI
INSTRUMENTAL BOD
An automated version of the BOD test can be obtained by employing
respirometers. Numerous versions are described in the literature
•z c 17 jj •zq 42 A\
by authors in the United States and abroad. »''*' ' The
fundamental concept is adding either air or pure oxygen to micro-
organisms in a reaction chamber to replenish the oxygen consumed.
One version generates oxygen, upon the sensed requirement, by
Q 47 48 49 50
means of electrolysis. ' ' ' ' The oxygen consumption is
generally measured manometrically through the difference in pres-
sure or by means of a DO sensor. A caustic solution, usually
potassium hydroxide, is placed in the air circulation stream to
absorb carbon dioxide. Various transducer devices are usually
employed to record the potentiometric output on a strip chart.
Originally, respirometers were manually operated by highly trained
technicians capable of interpreting the derived results analyti-
cally. The operation has been simplified over the years, and the
outputs have been related to BOD directly.
Respirometric methods are an improvement upon the dilution test
in the sense that generally the oxygen uptake is obtained directly
from the undiluted sample; however, time, seeding, temperature,
pH, and toxic substances remain as variables that will affect the
results as they do in the standard BOD dilution test. Recently,
the time factor has been assailed by relating the short-term
oxygen uptake to the BOD test. An improved approach is to
relate the impact of a waste sample 'upon the endogenous respi-
45
ration rate of a suitable activated sludge: the slope change
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encountered in oxygen consumption is correlated to BOD loads.
However, short-term BOD tests, utilizing respirometers, are based
upon a relationship, to the dilution test; i.e., they are being
based upon a test that is already of questionable value. As in
the dilution test, microorganism variability render the results
suspect. The respirometer utilizing these short-term techniques
does, however, serve a need for determining, rapidly, the treat-
ability or toxic nature of a waste.
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SECTION VII
RELATED ORGANIC POLLUTION MEASUREMENTS
Other measurements of pollution load are chemical oxygen demand
(COD), total organic carbon (TOG), and total oxygen demand (TOD).
The COD test, although determined more rapidly than BOD, still
requires 2 or more hours to obtain meaningful results. TOC and
TOD are instrumental measurements requiring .5 minutes or less for
results. Automated wet chemical procedures have been perfected
for the measurement of COD. ' ' The primary disadvantage of
all these measurements is that the biological nature of the waste
treatment plant loads are not characterized.
The COD test is a measure of those organic materials oxidizable by
dichromate (a strong chemical oxidant) in acid solutions at high
temperature. Some organic compounds (e.g., acetic acid) require
a catalyst to be oxidized. Ammonia is not oxidized by dichromate
at all. This is important because acetic acid and ammonia are
oxidized biologically. Other organic compounds (e.g., cellulose)
are oxidized in the COD test although they do not present an im-
mediate biochemical load to a receiving water. An undersirable
aspect of the test is the requirement to handle hazardous chemi-
cals. When applicable, however, the COD test is preferred to the
BOD because it is more rapid and reproducible. Most organics are
oxidized to 95 to 100 percent of theoretical amount in the COD
test. A comparison of recent rapid methods and past methods of
determining COD with the method of present choice in Standard
Methods shows the latter to be, by far, the most accurate.
The TOC measurement is obtained instrumentally by an operator
10
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first measuring the total carbon and then substracting a separate
15 32
measurement of the inorganic carbon. ' Oxygen gas is passed
continually through a combustion chamber containing a cobalt oxide
catalyst. A micro sample is injected into the chamber, which is
maintained at 950°C. The sample is vaporized, and all the carbona-
ceous material is oxidized. The oxygen carrier gas transports the
carbon dioxide and steam from the chamber. An infrared analyzer
measures the carbon dioxide present; the amount present, which is
in the form of a peak on a strip-chart recorder, is proportional
to the total carbon of the injected sample. Output calibrations
are performed with samples of known carbon content. A low tem-
perature combustion chamber is operated in parallel at 150°C, a
temperature below that that oxidizes organic matter. An identical
micro sample is injected in this chamber over quartz chips coated
with phosphoric acid. Inorganic carbon is oxidized to carbon
dioxide. An oxygen carrier gas, again, conducts the carbon dioxide
to the infrared analyzer for measurement. This value substracted
from the total carbon previously determined results in a value for
the TOC.
TOC is considered one of the fundamental measurements of pollu-
tion. When performed properly, TOC determinations can be made
reliably, rapidly, and reproducibly. Some disadvantages are the
initial instrument cost and the requirements of operator experi-
ence and technique to obtain reproducible results.
Another instrumental measurement is TOD, ' the quantitative
measure of oxygen required to combust organic matter of a sample
at high temperature. A nitrogen carrier gas with a fixed amount of
oxygen (usually 200 ppm) flows continuously through a combustion
11
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chamber that is maintained at 900°C and contains a platinum cata-
lyst. The oxygen in the carrier stream is continuously measured
in a silver-lead fuel cell detector. A continuous output on a
strip chart recorder results from this equilibrium condition.
An aqueous sample with impurities injected into the combustion
chamber will disturb this equilibrium. The impurities are oxidized
by partially depleting the oxygen on the platinum surface. The
oxygen in the carrier gas replenishes the oxygen on the platinum
surface. This momentary demand on the oxygen in the carrier gas
is detected by the silver-lead fuel cell, and a negative going
peak (or trough) is recorded. The measurement consists of com-
paring the peak heights with calibration of known sample contents.
Complete combustion of carbon and hydrogen takes place during the
measurement of TOD. Nitrogen compounds are oxidation-state
dependent where molecular nitrogen (the carrier gas) is unaffected.
Sulfur compounds are only partially oxidized. DO contributes to
the oxidation process and thus reduces the measured demand equiv-
alent to the milligrans of DO per liter of sample. A very close
correlation between TOD and COD has been demonstrated on several
types of effluent.
12
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SECTION VIII
CORRELATIONS BETWEEN BOD, COD, TOC, AND TOD
Utilizing correlations between BOD and COD has been discussed in
the literature. ' Some sources ' qualify their use only
to fixed effluents such as, the industrial effluent from an un-
changing process. The consensus is that for treatment of mixed
industrial and municipal wastes the BOD load varies over a wide
range of values. The COD also ranges over a considerable span,
but these variations in BOD and COD are not in the same ratio
with each other. Municipal waste treatment loads vary from week
to week, day to day, and even from hour to hour. Individual
measurements of BOD, COD, TOC, and TOD can tell a lot about the
characteristics of a waste, but no attempt should be made to
replace BOD measurements with COD, TOC, or TOD. Ford1 listed
factors to consider when attempting to use correlations between
the various measurements.
"In attempting to correlate BOD or COD of an indus-
trial waste with total organic carbon concentration
one should recognize those factors which may dis-
credit the correlation. These limitations include:
1) a portion of the COD of many industrial wastes
is attributed to the dichromate oxidation of ferrous
iron, nitrogen, sulfites, sulfides, and other oxygen
consuming inorganics; 2) the BOD and COD tests do
not include many organic compounds which are par-
tially or totally resistant to biochemical or
dichromate oxidation (however, all of the organic
carbon in these compounds is recovered in the TOC
13
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analysis); and 3) the BOD test is susceptible to
variables which include seed acclimation, dilution,
temperature, pH, and toxic substances."
14
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SECTION IX
DIFFERENTIAL MEASUREMENTS
19 20
Gaudy ' has strongly recommended replacing the BOD test with.
the ACOD measurements across an activated sludge process. Others
have discussed similar use of the COD in the literature, ' ' '
but widespread acceptance has not been indicated. The ACOD tech-
nique may be practiced in the field without a great deal of
publicity. Nonetheless, Gaudy defined ACOD as "the amount of COD
removed at any time, i.e., the difference between the COD present
at the time of measurement and the COD initially present." The
organic matter removed from a waste treatment plant is, then, the
difference between the effluent COD and the influent COD.
ACOD = COD. - COD (1)
r i e
where
ACOD = metabolizable organic wastes removed
by microorganisms used in the process
COD. = plant influent COD
COD = plant effluent COD
G
Gaudy stated that the day-to-day operation of the waste treatment
process can be assessed with a determined efficiency of COD re-
moval :
ACOD
efficiency of COD removal = •
Another operational parameter is that of the COD , which is
€
continually compared with the base line COD established in
C
treatability studies performed before the design stage. In
15
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addition to the operational parameters, Gaudy recommended periodi-
cal sampling of the influent waste in a batch laboratory reactor.
COD tests are performed on this sample until changes in COD no
longer occur. The ACOD of this sample gives a direct assessment
of the actual purification achieved when compared with that of
the ACOD across the treatment plant.
0
Busch indicated that the change in TOC measurements due to bac-
terial action (similar to ACOD) is a prime parameter in water
pollution control work. Also, process control capability was
indicated by "a mass culture aeration procedure for a rapid (1 to
4 hours) determination of biodegradable carbon content." Busch
expressed this differential as total bacterially available carbon
(T, AC). Busch advocated using ATOC measurement along with short-
term (24 hour) BOD measurements to obtain the total biological
oxygen (T OD). Busch contended that the increase in bacterial
mass must also be accounted for in the use of oxygen consumption.
This results in some simple-to-complex combination measurements of
varying accuracies and time intervals to account for the materials
balance concept.
16
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SECTION X
DIFFERENTIAL MEASUREMENTS FOR PROCESS CONTROL
This literature survey has not revealed a direct, rapid, and
reproducible instrument or method of determining BOD that is
suitable for process control. The literature has instances of
respirometers successfully monitoring sewage treatment influent/
22
effluent wastes. Short-term oxygen demands are related to 5-day
BOD's. The suitability of indirect estimates of BOD by respiro-
meters for process control is questionable. As in the dilution
test, results depend on microbial reactions, which are not re-
producible in a measurement sense.
Since the status of the BOD test as a standard is waning, an
alternative test should be pursued. The BOD test has had its
widest application in determining waste loadings and efficiencies
in waste treatment plants. By 1977, municipal waste treatment
plants are required to use secondary treatment, and differential
measurements such as ACOD, ATOC (i.e., T, AC), and ATOD all can
be applied across these secondary waste treatment plants to
obtain useful information. Refinements and further research,
however, are needed before differential measurements can be used
for process control.
Before differential measurements can be applied to process con-
trol, a better estimate of the total biologically degradable
organic waste must be made, i.e., each measurement must include
an estimate of this total metabolizable material so that process
modifications can be made intelligently. If the waste removed
and a good estimate can be made of the maximum waste that can be
17
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removed are both known, then the process efficiency can also be
determined. It is herein theorized that a sufficiently accurate
estimate of the total metabolizable waste is obtained if a small
sample is processed after secondary treatment so that complete
removal of BOD is approached. A. differential measurement across
this processed sample, when added to the differential across the
secondary treatment plant (i.e., from influent to primary) will
give this estimate. Optimally, simple biological filtration of a
sample, settling, recirculation, and subsequent passage through
a 0.45y filter will approach the complete removal of BOD. The
development of this process, utilizing various filter media,
would be the subject of further research in this area. Monitoring
the recirculated sample for several of the instrumentally measur-
able basic parameters (DO, pH, ORP, temperature, turbidity, and
ammonia, if available) would also be of interest. One of these
parameters could be an indicator of the completion of the process.
If the biofiltration approach is unsuccessful, biological suspen-
sion by aeration might be pursued. Initially, however,
biofiltration would appear to be the simpler approach. Again,
the ultimate goal is instrumental control of the waste treatment
process.
Processing a secondary effluent sample to achieve an acceptable
degree of BOD removal would make possible determining the waste
discharge load to the receiving stream in terms of the differ-
ential measurement. For example, in terms of COD:
18
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COD - COD = A COD . (3)
e p d v J
where
COD = plant effluent COD
G
COD = sample processed to approach zero BOD
ACOD, = metabolizable organic waste in the plant
effluent
Then the total organic matter of an influent waste that is decom-
posable by microorganisms is
Total decomposable waste = COD + COD, (4)
The efficiency of the plant's waste removal operation is
COD. - COD
Plant efficiency = ^ - - X 100 (5)
1
ACOD
ACODr + ACODd
Data obtained from the standard BOD and COD tests can be collected
at various secondary treatment facilities to verify these relation-
ships. In summary, equations (1), (3), (4), and (5) will enable
the daily determination of:
1. waste treatment plant load in terms of ACOD
2. waste load discharged to the stream
3. the total oxygen demanding load of the influent to the
plant
4. the efficiency of the treatment plant to remove metabo-
lizable organic waste.
19
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The use of COD values for equations (3), (4), and (5) is for
illustrative purposes only; TOG, TOD, or instrumental COD can
be used equally well, and their use may very well be better.
In fact, if funding permitted, it would be well to purchase
these instruments and compare all three methods. The chemical
ACOD method is directly applicable to small waste treatment
plants that cannot afford expensive instrumentation. The ulti-
mate goal, however, is to automate the measurement for control
purposes, and instrumental TOC, TOD, or COD may be more amenable
to this. The sample-handling of TOD is already capable of con-
tinuous operation.
20
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SECTION XI
SUMMARY
Prospects for process control of waste treatment plants appear
favorable if differential measurement capabilities can be devel-
oped further. If rapid, reproducible removal of BOD to an
acceptable value can be accomplished, differential measurements
(ATOC, ATOD, or ACOD) can give the information of the ultimate
BOD in less than 1 day. Instrumental TOC, TOD, and COD can
already be determined in less than 5 minutes. Detention times
for secondary waste treatment would add 6 to 8 hours. The addi-
tional processing method and detention time would be the subjects
of further research.- The method of choice would be biological
filtration in which various filtration media, and biological
activation techniques would be pursued.
21
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SECTION XII
REFERENCES
1. American Public Health Association, "Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater," 13th Edition, New York,
1971.
2. American Public Works Association, "Feasibility of Computer
Control of Wastewater' Treatment," Project #17090 DOY, Water
Pollution Control Research Series, EPA, 1970.
3. Arthur, R. M., "An Automated BOD Respirometer," Proceedings
19th Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University, 628-637,
1964.
4. Berkovitch, I., "Instruments and Control Systems," Pollution
Control Report, p. 27, April 1972.
5. Bridie, A. L. A. M., "Determination of Biochemical Oxygen
Demand With Continuous Recording of Oxygen Uptake," Water
Research, Pergamon Press, 3, 2, 157-165, 1969.
6. Busch, A. W., Grady, L., Rao, T. S., and Swilley, E. L. , "Short-
Term Total Oxygen Demand Test," JWPCF, 34, 4, 354-362, 1962.
7. Busch, A. W., "Energy, Total Carbon, and Oxygen Demand," Pro-
ceedings 20th Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University,
May 1965.
8. Busch, A. W., "Carbon Analysis as a Concept and Procedure in
Water Pollution Technology," The Analyzer, Beckman Instruments,
p. 3-7, February 1967.
9. Clark, J. W., "Electrolysis Biochemical Oxygen Demand," South-
west Water Works Journal, 46, 5, 26, 1964.
10. Clifford, D. A., "Automatic Measurement of Total Oxygen Demand,"
Proceedings 23rd Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University,
May 1968.
11. Davis, E. M., "BOD vs COD vs TOC vs TOD," Water and Wastes
Engineering, 8, 2, 32-34, 38, 1971.
22
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12. Eckenfelder, W. W., Jr., Industrial Water Pollution Control,"
McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1966.
13. Eye, J. D., and Ritchie, C. C., "Measuring BOD With a Membrane
Electrode System," JWPCF, 38, 1430-1440, 1966.
14. Fair, G. M., Geyer, J. C., and Okun, D. A., "Water Supply and
Waste Water Disposal," Volume 2, Wiley, New York, 1968.
15. Ford, D. L., "Application of the Total Carbon Analyzer for
Industrial Wastewater Evaluation," Proceedings 23rd Industrial
Waste Conference, Purdue University, 989-999, 1968.
16. Foulds, J. M., and Lunsford, J. V., "An Analysis of the COD
Method," Water and Sewage Works, March 1968.
17. Gannon, J. J., Pelton, J. R., and Westfield, J., "Respirometer
Assembly for BOD Measurement of River Waters and Biologically
Treated Effluents," International Journal Air and Water
Pollution, Pergamon Press, 9, 27-40, 1965.
18. Gates, W. E., and Ghosh, S., "Biokinetic Evaluation of BOD
Concepts and Data," Journal Sanitary Engineering Division,
Proceedings ASCE, 97, SA3, 287-309, 1971.
19. Gaudy, A. F., Jr., and Gaudy, E. T. , "Biological Concepts for
Design and Operation of the Activated Sludge Process," Project
#17090 FQJ, Water Pollution Control Research Series, EPA, 1971.
20. Gaudy, A. F., and Gaudy, E. T., "ACOD Gets Nod Over BOD Test,"
Industrial Water Engineering, 9, 5, 30-34, 1972.
21. Genetelli, E. J., Nemerow, N. L., and Barbaro, R. D., "Instru-
ment for Determining the Treatability of Industrial Waste,"
Proceedings 26th Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue University,
1971.
22. Genthe, W. K., Arthur, R. M., and Srinivasaraghavan, R., "Go
On-Line; It's Vital for Automation," Water and Wastes Engineer-
ing, 9, 7, 42-44, 1972.
23
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23. Goldstein, A. L., Katz, W. E., Meller, F. H. , and Murdoch, D. M.,
"Total Oxygen Demand - A New Automatic Instrumental Method for
Measuring Pollution and Loading on Oxidation Processes," pre-
sented American Chemical Society, Division Water, Air and Waste,
September 1968.
24. Guarino, C. F., Gilman, H. D., Nelson, M. D., and Koch, C. M.,
"Toward Computer Control of Wastewater Treatment," presented
44th Annual Conference Water Pollution Control Federation,
October 1971.
25. Guarino, C. F., "The Use of Computers in Philadelphia's Water
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26. Haines, G. D., and Anselm, C. D., "Improved Automated Chemical
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27. Hiser, L. L., and Busch, A. W., "An 8-Hour Biological Oxygen
Demand Test Using Mass Culture Aeration and COD," JWPCF, 36,
4, 505-516, 1964.
28. Holoman, V. L., "Methods for Determining Biochemical Oxygen
Demand," Analytical Methodology Information Center (AMIC),
Battelle, Columbus, 1972.
29. Ickes, J. H., Gray, E. A., Zaleiko, N. S., and Adelman, M. H.,
"Operating Experience with a COD Instrument in Industrial
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30. Ingols, R. S., "Short-Term BOD," Water and Sewage Works, 115,
258-260, 1968.
31. Isaacs, W. P., and Gaudy, A. F., Jr., "Comparison of BOD
Exertion in a Simulated Stream and in Standard BOD Bottles,"
Proceedings 22nd Industrial Waste Conference, Purdue
University, 165-182, 1967.
32. Jones, R. H., and Dageforde, A. F., "Application of a High
Sensitivity Total Organic Carbon Analyzer," Analysis Instru-
mentation, 6, 43-51, 1969.
24
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33. Mullis, M. K., and Schroeder, E. D., "A Rapid Biochemical
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39. Snaddon, X. V. M., and Jenkins, S. H., "Biological Oxidation in
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Research, Proceedings 2nd International Conference, Pergamon
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25
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26
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Intimations on the reverse before completing)
1 REPORT NO.
EPA-670/4-74-001
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOI*NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Literature Survey of Instrumental Measurements of
Biochemical Oxygen Demand for Control Application
1960-1973
5. REPORT DATE
February 1974; Issuing Date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Robert J. O'Herron
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO
9. PERFORMING ORG "VNIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Methods Development § Quality Assurance Research Labo-
ratory, National Environmental Research Center
Office of Research & Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati. Ohio 45268
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1HA327; ROAP 01AAD; TASK 02
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Same as above
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
Development of a rapid, instrumental method for determining waste loading in terms
of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) would further the efforts of controlling the unit
processes of sewage treatment. This report attempted to determine the "state of the
art" of instrumental biochemical oxygen demand methods through a survey of related
literature that included material published between 1960 and 1973. The slow rate of
microbial reactions made the task of an instrumental approach to BOD difficult. Micro-
organism variability in numbers, kind, and acclimation caused a lack of reproducibility
Although the present "state of the art" does not permit instrumental measurement of
BOD for process control, an alternative solution is suggested for secondary treatment
plants. Further research is needed to supplant the BOD test with this method. A
process needs to be determined (e.g., biofiltration and recirculation) to reduce the
BOD of a secondary effluent sample to a sufficiently low value. Differential measure-
ments (ATOC, ATOD, ACOD) of the secondary effluent and the processed sample produces
a good estimate of the ultimate BOD. Successful efforts in this research would
produce greater operating efficiency and reduction in pollution discharge to receiving
streams by the waste treatment plants.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COSATI Field/Group
*Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Activated
sludge process, *Waste treatment, Industrial
wastes, *Process control
*Secondary treatment,
*BOD instruments,
*Chemical oxygen demand
(COD), *Total oxygen
demand (TOD), *Total
organic carbon (TOC),
BOD removal
13B
8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to public
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport}
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
33
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-t <9-73)
27
U-S. CO««NMENI P9INT1NG OfflCfc !9?«_7
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Research and Development
National Environmental Research Center
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PR IV ATE US E . S3OO
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA-335
Special Fourth-Class Rate
Book
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