COD Manual
Do-It-Yourself
Manual
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. NO.
1 Introduction
1.1 What is chemical oxygen demand?
2 Application
3 Working Principle
4 Materials and their Specification
1. Chemicals
2. Apparatus
Part - 1
5 Methodology
Part - 2
6 Chemical method
7 Features
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Test
Introduction:-
The chemical oxygen demand (COD) is an indicative
measure of the amount of oxygen that can be consumed by
reactions in a measured solution. It is commonly expressed in
mass of oxygen consumed over volume of solution which in SI
units is milligrams per liter (mg/L). A COD test can be used to
easily quantify the amount of organics in water. The most
common application of COD is in quantifying the amount of
oxidizable pollutants found in surface water (e.g. lakes and
rivers) or wastewater. COD is useful in terms of
Water quality by providing a metric to determine the effect an effluent will have on the receiving
body, much like biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).
Chemical oxygen demand testing is typically performed using a strong oxidizing chemical.
Organic matter is oxidized into carbon dioxide and water in an acidic condition. The quantity of
organic matter or the demand of oxygen is calculated by determining how much oxidizing
chemical was consumed during the test. Chemical oxygen demand tests are typically performed
on wastewater. The pollution level is calculated by measuring the amount of organic matter in the
water. Water with too much organic material can have a negative effect on the environment in
which the wastewater is discharged. The COD test is often used in conjunction with the BOD test
to estimate the amount of non-biodegradable organic material in wastewater. In the case of
biodegradable organics, the COD is normally in the range of 1.3 to 1.5 times the BOD. When the
result of a COD test is more than twice that of the BOD test, there is good reason to suspect that a
significant portion of the organic material in the sample is not biodegradable by ordinary
microorganisms. To carry out these tests, an apparatus is used; this apparatus is called a COD
Digester.
The wastewater or other substances (on which these tests are carried) are mixed with the
chemicals in specific amounts in this test tube and then these test tubes are to be heated at 150
degree in a digester for 2 hrs. for completion of their reaction. COD Digester is the most accepted
Thermo reactor for Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand in Various Substances.
According to no. of tests to be carried in at one time, the size of cod digesters varies. In cod tests,
there is one blank solution and other test tubes are filled with solutions of which cod value is to be
known. The cod digesters which are available in the market consist of aluminum block or stainless
steel. The overall cost changes according to the number of test tubes (15 or 24 test tubes). For
making the cod digester, instead of using aluminum blocks, and container filled with oil can be
used for carrying the COD test where this oil would act as a medium for heat transfer. In Vigyan
ashram, using oil as a heat transfer medium, a cod apparatus was made.
1.1 What is chemical oxygen demand?
Chemical oxygen demand, also known as COD, indirectly measures the organic matter in
water samples. COD is regularly performed in wastewater as it is a quicker and more
convenient test to perform than biological oxygen demand (BOD). Careful monitoring of
COD and then following up with the BOD test can allow for proactive corrections to the
waste water treatment. Many times, COD testing is a requirement for wastewater treatment
plants; and this testing all leads to time and cost savings for the plants.
Applications:
➢ The chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a measure of water and waste water
quality.
➢ COD test is used widely for better operation of wastewater facilities because of
its speed analysis.
➢ Used extensively in analysis of gray water samples.
➢ The COD test is often used to monitor water treatment plant efficiency.
➢ The COD test requires only 2-3 hours while the biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD) test requires 5 days.
Working Principle
The chemical oxygen demand is a measure of water & waste water quality. The COD test is often
used to monitor water treatment plant efficiency. This test is based on the fact that a strong
oxidizing agent, under acidic conditions, can fully oxidize almost any organic compound to carbon
dioxide (CO2).
Generally speaking when someone says clean water, we tend to think of drinking water. However
we also need clean water as a byproduct of our wastewater system .When the water is done being
used in the kitchen or flushed down a toilet, how does it become clean again and how do we know
the water is actually clean? Conducting tests called Chemical Oxygen Demand can be performed
to interfere with the pollutant levels in a water sample at any water treatment facility.
Organic & oxidizable inorganic substances in the sample are oxidized by potassium dichromate in
98% sulfuric acid solution at reflux temperature silver sulphate is used as catalyst. Mercuric
sulphate is added to remove chloride interference.
The excess dichromate is titrated with standard FAS (ferrous ammonium sulphate) using
Ferron as an indicator.
Materials
Materials required for making digester and the stand on which it resides:
1. MS sheet
2. Stainless steel
3. circular storing unit
4. Square tube of size 20x 20 x 6 mm
5. G I sheet
Materials required for electronic circuit and heating purpose:
1. TC513 (temperature controller)
2. 4 pole contactor
3. Pt-100 RTD
4. Heater (3kw)
5. Wires (3 core wire and single core wire)
Materials used for insulation and sealing purpose :
1. Anabond
2. Glass wool
3. Non asbestos gasket
Part - 1
Methodology :-
1. Shape selection:
The shape of the digester is a crucial part of a design. The Cod digesters which are
available in the market are generally of rectangular shape (basically a rectangular solid
block made up of aluminum.).
2. Selection of type of oil:
The oil acts as a medium through which the heat is to be supplied. The selection of oil is
based on the specific heat of oil. The oils considered for acting as a medium were
vegetable oil and paraffin oil; vegetable oil with specific heat value of 1.67Kj/Kg K
whereas paraffin oil with specific heat value of 2.13Kj/Kg K2.1)
3. Heat Required:-
Volume =0.0284m3
Mass Density =930(kg/m3) or 0.0284m3
Mass = 26.412
Heat Required =5513.5kj=5513.3kws.
4. The arrangement of the test tube:
● Number of COD tubes -12 & 4.
● Distance between two tubes is equal.
● Diameter of whole for test tube to 50mm.
5. Rubber gasket for plate:
A circular rubber sheet is to be attached to the plate so that the oil over the test tube is removed
and it remains back over the rims of the rubber sheet. The rubber sheet is cut into circle of
outer diameter of 70 cm and inner diameter of 40 cm
6. Insulation: -
To minimize the heat loss insulation must be provided. It is another crucial part of the design.
There are various types of insulations like glass wool, polyurethane foam and spray foam. All
these insulations are classified according to their thermal properties like temperature, amongst
this glass wool is preferred due to its low cost and temperature range because the temperature
inside the digester is about 1500C and it has a range of about 00C to 2500C which would be
affordable for the COD Digester.
7. Material selection of digester:-
The material selection of inner vessels was made on property of thermal conductivity &
corrosion free.
Stainless steel was chosen over aluminum because it had high thermal conductivity.
8. Temperature control unit:
In this cod test, the test tube is to be heated up to 150 degree celsius for 2 hours to complete
the process. The temperature controller circuit will be needed so as to heater gives only
needed heat for 2 hrs. to maintain the given temperature. The temperature control which will
be needed for carrying out these tests will be TC513, a temperature controller device which
not only indicates but also controls the heater.
9. Designing of COD digester:
● Diameter : 35 cm
● Height : 35 cm
● Thickness : 0.8 mm.
10. Fabrication of COD digester:
● Fabrication of outer vessel of digester
● Material= Milled steel sheet
● Size = 37.2 cm x 113.4cm.
● Thickness = 0.8mm.
COD digester
11. Fabrication of test tube arrangement plate:-
● This arrangement of test tube is important for equal heating
● This plate is made of milled steel
● Diameter-330 mm
● Thickness-0.8mm
12. Fabrication of electrical junction box:-
● The electrical junction box was made up from a GI
sheet.
● Dimension: 20 X 12 cm.
Test tube arrangement plate
13. Fabrication of stand:-
The fabrication of stand consists of four square tubes of 20 x 20 x 6 mm size of length 90 cm
and eight square tube of 20 x 20 x 6 mm size of length 40 cm.
Digester Stand
Electrical junction box
Part - 2
Chemical test method
Materials for COD test:-
1. Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). 7. 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask
2. Mercuric sulphate (HgSO4) 8. Reflux condenser
3. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) 9. COD tubes
4. Ferrous ammonium sulphate (FAS) 10. Measuring cylinder
5. Ferron indicator 11. Analytical balance
6. Potassium hydrogen phosphate (KHP) 12. COD tube stands
13. Hand gloves
Preparation of chemicals: -
1. Preparation of 0.25 N potassium dichromate solution: -
12.25 gm. potassium dichromate powder dissolved in 1000 ml distilled water in 1000
ml volumetric flask.
2. Preparation of Ammonium Ferrous Sulphate solution: -
24.5 gm. Ammonium Ferrous sulphate powder dissolved in 250 ml distilled water in
250 ml distilled water in 250 ml volumetric flask. Add 5ml Sulphuric acid.
3. Preparation of Potassium Hydrogen Phosphate solution: -
0.425 gm. of dried KHP powder dissolved in 1000 ml distilled water in 1000 ml
volumetric flask. (Dried this powder for 2 hours in oven)
Procedure: -
1. Take 0.4 gm. HgSo4 (mercuric sulphate) in 9. Attach condenser & set 150 Degree Celsius
COD tubes. temperature.
2. Add 20 ml sample in each COD tube (20 ml 10. Kept for 2 hours filled COD tubes in COD
water sample, 20 ml KHP solution). apparatus for 150 degree Celsius.
3. Add 20 ml distilled water in each COD tube. 11. After 2 hours switch off & remove COD tubes
4. Add stones (crush on beads) 1 or 2 pieces. & cooled sample for room temperature.
5. Add 10 ml (0.25 N) K2Cr2O7 Potassium 12. Take the above sample in a conical flask. Add
dichromate solutions. 150 ml distilled water.
6. Add 30 ml conc sulfuric acid slowly along 13. Titration: - Titrate above solution with 0.1 N
with swirling. FAS (ferrous ammonium sulphate) solution by
7. If the solution turns green add more known using Ferron indicator (add 3-4 drops). The end
quantities of K2Cr2O7 solution. point of this titration is blue green to reddish
8. Kept COD tubes in COD apparatus to digest brown.
the sample..
During titration take blank solution & sample solution in conical flask and FAS solution fill up in
burets When color changes from blue green / yellowish green to reddish brown then note the end
point.
Precautions:-
1) Sulphuric acid is a hazardous chemical, so handle carefully.
2) COD tubes should not be opened whilst hot as pressure build-up may cause acid spillage.
Do not open tubes during sample digestion.
Instrument required for development of this method:
Sr.No. Equipment Name Description Image
1.
Water distillation unit This unit was designed in
Vigyan Ashram with a
cooker and Condenser.
2.
pH meter To check PH of water.
3.
Weighing balance It is required to measure
the chemicals before
preparation of solutions
required to analyze the
Samples.
4.
Magnetic stirrer It is required for proper
Mixing the chemicals in
the reagents.
Glassware required for this method
Sr no. Glassware Name Description Image
1. COD tubes For digestion these tubes are
useful.
2 COD These condensers are
condenser: attached to COD tubes. These
are useful for condensed
samples.
3. Erlenmeyer During Titration 250 ml
flask Erlenmeyer flask is useful. It
is used for mixing and storing
chemicals and solutions.
4 Burette To measure the volume of a
liquid
COD Formula:-
COD = (a-b_) X N X 8000/ml of sample solution
Where,
1. A-Reading blank solution.
2. B-Reading with sample solutions.
3. N- Normality of FAS solution
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) test & COD apparatus developed at
vigyan ashram has following features
1. Low-cost COD apparatus /digester as compared to COD apparatus available in market.
2. Affordable & easy to operate COD digester & COD test for rural lab & education
institute.
3. The running cost of electricity per batch is very cheap. The cod digester was constructed
with comparatively less price than cod apparatus available in the market (40,000 rs ).
