FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

& EARTH RESOURCES

HYDRAULIC & HYDROLOGY LABORATORY

SUBJECT CODE DAA1951

SUBJECT ENGINEERING LABORATORY I

EXPERIMENT TITLE BOD & COD

DATE OF EXPERIMENT 27TH NOVEMBER 2015

GROUP MEMBER 6

SECTION A21 & A22

GROUP MEMBER : 1) AB 14005 – MOHAMMAD ILMAN HAKEEM

ID NUMBER & NAME B DAHLIM

2) AB 14027 – YONG YEE VOON

3) AB 14050 – NUR IDAYU BT MOHAMAD

4) AB 14105 – NUR FARHANA BT TALMIZI

5) AB 14132 – NOOR SHAKILLA BT FAIZAL

6) AB 14141 – NURUL ASYIKIN BT ZOOLHASRI

PERSON IN CHARGE DR MIR SUJAUL ISLAM

REMARKS

ENDORSEMENT

1
INTRODUCTION

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is defined as the amount of oxygen required by living
organisms in the stabilization of the organic matter of water. If the oxidation of an organic
compound is carried out by microorganisms using the organic matter as a food source, the
oxygen is consumed. The greater the amount of organic matter present, the greater the
amount of oxygen utilized. The BOD test is indirect measurement of organic matter. The
test results are used to calculate the effect of waste discharge on the oxygen resources of
the receiving waters.

1
In aerobic processes (O2 is present), heterotrophic bacteria oxidize about of the colloidal
3

and dissolved organic matter to stable end products (CO2 + H2O) and convert the remaining
2
into new microbial cells that can be removed from the wastewater by settling.
3

The overall biological conversion proceeds in sequence with the oxidation of carbonaceous
material as the first step known as carbonaceous oxygen demand (see Figure 1).

Organic matter + O2 CO2 + H2O + new cells

Under continuing aerobic conditions, autotrophic bacteria then convert the nitrogen in
organic compounds to nitrates (known as nitrification oxygen demand).

Organic- Nitrogen Ammonia-Nitrogen (decomposition)

and

NH3- N + O2 Nitrifying bacteria Nitrate-Nitrogen (nitrification)

2
 Figure 1: BOD curve

The ultimate BOD (Lo) is defined as the maximum BOD exerted by the waste. The
carbonaceous oxygen demand curve can be expressed mathematically as

BOD t = Lo (1-10-KT)
where BOD t = biochemical oxygen demand at time t, mg/L
Lo = ultimate BOD, mg/L
t = time, days
K = reaction rate constant, day-1

Most biological processes speed up as the temperature increases and slow down as the
temperature drops. The rate of utilization is affected by temperature of the relationship for
the change in the reaction rate constant (K) with temperature is expressed as

KT = K20 × θ T-20
where KT = reaction rate constant at temperature T, per day
K20 = reaction rate constant at 20°C, per day
Θ = temperature coefficient= 1.047
T = temperature of biological reaction, °C

Ultimate BOD (Lo)

TL O = 20LO [1 + 0.02(T-20)]

3
 Where TLO = ultimate BOD at temperature T, mg/L
20LO = ultimate BOD at 20°C, mg/L

The environmental impacts of BOD are:

1. Sewage containing high BOD create environmental and health problems.
2. It interferes with the aquatic life. Organic pollution is harmful to fish as it
tends to
reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen.
3. It defines the strength of domestic wastes and industrial wastewaters.

PRINCIPLES

The method consists of filling with sample, to overflowing, an airtight bottle of the
specified size and incubating it at the specified temperature for 5 days. Dissolved oxygen
is measured initially and after incubation, and the BOD is computed from the difference
between initial and final DO. Because the initial DO is determined shortly after the
dilution is made, all oxygen uptake occurring after this measurement is included in the
BOD measurement.

Samples for BOD analysis may degrade significantly during storage between
collection and analysis, resulting in low BOD values. Minimize reduction of BOD by
analyzing sample promptly or by cooling it to near-freezing temperature during storage.
However, even at low temperature, keep holding time to a minimum. Warm chilled
samples to 20 ± 3oC before analysis.

If analysis is begun within 2 hours of collection, cold storage is unnecessary. If

analysis is not started within 2 hours of sample collection, keep sample at or below 4oC
from the time of collection. Begin analysis within 6 hours of collection; when this is not
possible because the sampling site is distant from the laboratory, store at or below 4oC
and report length and temperature of storage with the results. In no case start analysis
more than 24 hours after grab sample collection. When samples are to be used for
regulatory purposes make every effort to deliver samples for analysis within 6 hours of
collection.

4
 Keep samples at or below 4oC during compositing. Limit compositing period to 24
hours. Use the same criteria as for storage of grab samples, starting the measurement of
holding time from end of compositing period. State storage time and conditions as part of
the results.

OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the pollution strength of domestic and industrial wastes in terms of

the oxygen that they will require in oxidation process.
2. To determine the constant rate value, K.
3. To calculate the B.O.D value.
4. To understand the importance of using BOD as an indicator of water quality.

APPARATUS

Figure 1: pH meter

Figure 2 : Magnetic stirrer Figure 3 : BOD bottles ,beaker

and measuring cylinder

5
 Figure 4 : DO meter Figure 5 : BOD incubator
(temperature = 20 C)

REAGENTS

Phosphate buffer
Dissolve each 8.5 KH2PO4, 21.75 g K2HPO4, 33.4 g Na2HPO47H20 dissolved 1.7 g
NH4Cl in distilled water to prepare 1 liter of solution. Adjust pH 7.2.

Magnesium Sulphate
Dissolve 27.5g MgSO4.7H2O in distilled water to prepare 1 litre of solution.

Calcium Chloride
Dissolve 27.5g of anhydrous CaCl2 in distilled water to prepare 1 litre of solution.

Ferric Chloride
Dissolve 0.25g FeCl3 6H2O in distilled water to prepare 1 litre of solution.

6
PROCEDURES

Dilution water is prepared in a glass container by bubbling compressed air in distilled

water for about 30 minutes. 1ml each of phosphate buffer, magnesium sulphate,
calcium chloride and ferric chloride are added for each liter of dilution water and
mixed thoroughly.

The sample is neutralised to pH around 7.0 by using 1N NaOH or H2SO4.

Since the DO in the sample is likely to be exhausted, a suitable dilution of the sample
according to the expected BOD range is prepared. The table 5.1 is given below for
the dilution of the sample.

Dilutions is prepared in the bucket, the content is mixed thoroughly. The water is
filled into the BOD bottles. The DO content with oxygen meter is determined and
after that it is kept in the BOD incubator at 30°C.

DO content is determined in the sample bottles for day 1, 2 and 3.

7
 Volume of Sample (mL) Range of BOD value (mg/L)

0.02 30 000 – 105 000

0.05 12 000 – 42 000

0.10 6 000 – 21 000

0.20 3 000 – 10 500

0.50 1 200 – 4 200

1.00 600 – 2 100

2.00 300 – 1 050

5.00 120 – 420

10.00 60 – 210

20.00 30 – 105

50.00 12 – 42

100.00 6 – 21

Figure 5.1: Dilution of the sample according to the expected BOD range

8
RESULT

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

pH value : 7.45 @ 26.3 0 C
NaOH or HCl volume : 0 ml

Time, t DOi DOt BODt

oC oC
[ t / BODt ]1/3
(day) mg/L mg/L (mg/L)
1 8.57 25.34 7.14 28.62 4.7670 0.5942
2 8.60 25.58 6.21 28.65 7.9670 0.6308
3 8.62 25.34 5.90 28.67 9.0670 0.6916

CALCULATION

𝐷𝑂𝑖 − 𝐷𝑂𝑡
𝐵𝑂𝐷𝑡 =
𝑃

Where:
BODt = biochemical oxygen demand, mg/L
DOi = initial DO of the diluted waste water sample about 15 minutes after
preparation, mg/L
DOt = final DO of the diluted waste water sample after incubation for t days, mg/L

∀𝑠
P = dilution factor,
∀𝑠 + ∀𝐷𝑊

Where :

∀𝑠 = Volume of sample

∀𝐷𝑊 = Volume of dilution water

From the experiment results of BOD for various values of t,

300
𝑃= = 𝟎. 𝟑
300 + 700

9
Day 1:
8.57 − 7.14
𝐵𝑂𝐷1 = = 𝟒. 𝟕𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝒈/𝑳
0.3
1 1
[𝑡⁄𝐵𝑂𝐷 ] ⁄3 = [1/4.767] ⁄3 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟗𝟒𝟐
𝑡

Day 2:
8.60 − 6.21
𝐵𝑂𝐷2 = = 𝟕. 𝟗𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝒈/𝑳
0.3
1⁄
1
[𝑡⁄𝐵𝑂𝐷 ] ⁄3 = [2⁄7.967] = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟑𝟎𝟖
3
𝑡

Day 3:
8.62 − 5.90
𝐵𝑂𝐷3 = = 𝟗. 𝟎𝟔𝟕 𝒎𝒈/𝑳
0.3
1⁄
1
[𝑡⁄𝐵𝑂𝐷 ] ⁄3 = [3⁄9.067] = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟗𝟏𝟔
3
𝑡

DISCUSSION

Refer to the graph 1.

1. Intercept (A) = 0.54 (from the graph)

𝑦2 −𝑦1 0.6916−0.5942
Slope (B) = = = 0.0487
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 3−1

Since K = 2.61 (B / A),

𝐾30 = 2.61 (0.0487⁄0.54) = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟒 per day

10
2. Calculate value of BOD5 at 20 oC.

Step 1: K30 K20

𝐾30
K20 =
1.047(30−20)
0.2354
=
1.04710
= 0.1487 per day

Step 2: 30Lo Ultimate BOD @ 30 oC

𝐵𝑂𝐷3
30Lo =
1− 10( −𝐾30 𝑥 3)
9.067
=
1−10( −0.2354 𝑥 3)
= 11.2872 mg/L

Step 3: 30Lo 20Lo

30𝐿𝑜
20Lo =
1+0.02 (30−20)
11.2872
=
1.2
= 9.406mg/L

Step 4: BOD5 @ 20 oC
BOD5 = 20𝐿𝑜 (1 − 10( − 𝐾20 𝑥 5 ) )
= 9.406 (1 − 10( −0.1487 𝑥 5 ) )
= 7.708 mg/L

11
Discuss on experiment result. Is it the result right or wrong and compare between
theoretical and experimental.

From the graph above, we did not get a very good line of best fit because the points
are little away from each other. This might be cause by the changes in the activity due to
temperature when taking out the sample from incubator for the next day. The result we get
is not very accurate due to many errors and differs much from the theoretical graph of BOD
against time.

Precautions and safety measure during experiment.

 The sample used is neutralise within the range of pH 6.5-7.5.

 Switch on the DO meter for a minimum of 15 minutes in order for the apparatus to
calibrate itself correctly to obtain the correct readings.
 Rinse the BOD bottle with dilution water and not with distilled water or tap water.
 Rinse the pH meter tester, DO meter tester, beaker or any apparatus with distilled
water before testing.
 Fill in the mixture of dilution water and BOD bottles with correct proportions/ratios
to prevent spilling.
 When filling in the liquid to be beaker or measuring cylinder, make sure the mouth
is attached to the side of the beaker or measuring cylinder for minimal loss.

Cause and error during experiment.

 The measurements are not accurate due to parallax error of the eyes at the scale of
beaker or measuring cylinder when taking the readings.
 The changes of temperature when taking the sample out from the incubator causes
the activity in the sample to differ slightly, resulting in some errors.
 The sample is not neutralised to exactly at pH 7 causes the sample to be slightly
acidic or alkaline may cause the activity to differ.

12
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we were able to determine the objectives of the experiment, that is to

determine the pollution strength of domestic and industrial wastes in terms of the oxygen
that they will require in oxidation process, to determine the constant rate value, K, to
calculate the B.O.D value and to understand the importance of using BOD as an indicator
of water quality.

From the experiment, we found out that the BOD sample for day 1 is 4.767mg/L,
7.967mg/L for day 2 and 9.067mg/L on day 3. This shows that the readings of the BOD
sample are increasing in every day. Therefore, we can conclude that the experiment is
carried out successfully. Since we observed that the oxygen required in domestic and
industrial wastes for oxidation process is increases day by day. Therefore, we can
conclude that the pollutional strength of domestic and industrial wastes is strong.

13
REFERENCE
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=biochemical%2Boxygen%2Bdemand&btnG=G
oogle+Search
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochemical_oxygen_demand
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/Environmental/BOD/coda.htm
http://home.windstream.net/mikeric/Chap1to9/Chap7%20Biochemical%20Oxygen%20D
emand.htm

APPENDIX

14