World Bank & Government of The Netherlands funded

Training module # WQ - 19

How to measure chemical

oxygen demand

New Delhi, June 1999

CSMRS Building, 4th Floor, Olof Palme Marg, Hauz Khas, DHV Consultants BV & DELFT HYDRAULICS
New Delhi 11 00 16 India
Tel: 68 61 681 / 84 Fax: (+ 91 11) 68 61 685 with
E-Mail: dhvdelft@del2.vsnl.net.in HALCROW, TAHAL, CES, ORG & JPS
 Table of contents
Page

1 Module context 2

2 Module profile 3

3 Session plan 4

4 Overhead/flipchart master 5

5 Evaluation sheets 10

6 Handout 12

7 Additional handout 15

8 Main text 17

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 1. Module context
This module concerns laboratory determination of COD of water samples. Modules in which
prior training is needed to complete this module successfully and other related modules are
listed 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 chemistry conceptsa 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

2 How to prepare standard WQ - 04 Recognise different types of

solutions a glassware
Use an analytical balance and
maintain it.
Prepare standard solutions

3 Understanding the chemistry WQ - 11 Appreciate significance of DO

of dissolved oxygen measurement
measurement Understand the chemistry of DO
measurement by Winkler method

4 Understanding biochemical WQ - 15 Understand the significance and

oxygen demand test theory of BOD test

5 Understanding chemical WQ - 18 Appreciate significance of COD

oxygen demand testa measurement
Understand the chemistry of COD
measurement

a prerequisite

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 2. Module profile
Title : How to measure chemical oxygen demand

Target group : HIS function(s): Q2, Q3, Q5

Duration : Two sessions, one of 180 min followed by another of 60 min

Objectives : After the training the participants will be able to:

Measure COD of water and wastewater samples

Key concepts : Open reflux method

Procedure evaluation

Training methods : Lecture, laboratory exercises

Training tools : Board, flipchart, OHS

required Support of a chemistry laboratory

Handouts : As provided in this module

Further reading : Standard Methods: for the Examination of Water and

and references Wastewater, APHA, AWWA, WEF/1995. APHA Publication
Chemistry for Environmental Engineering, C.N. Sawyer,
P.L. McCarty and C.F. Parkin. McGraw-Hill, 1994

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 3. Session plan
No Activities Time Tools
1 Preparations
Prepare reagents as listed in the SAP for COD
measurement.
Arrange glassware for refluxing
Collect/prepare samples as below:
sample A, raw sewage
sample B, river or pond water
sample C, groundwater
sample D, potassium hydrogen phthalate, 425 mg/L

2 Introduction 15 min OHS

Recapitulate significance of COD test
Chemistry of the test

3 Source of samples and expected COD values 15 min OHS

Describe the sources of samples and ask the participants to
estimate the COD value of each sample
Explain significance of the sample aliquot volume to be
used

4 Exercise
Session I 30 min
Ask participants to read the exercise handout and SAP for
COD measurement 30 min
Assist in making selection of sample volumes and
preparation of reaction mixtures
Start refluxing of the mixtures. Explain that the refluxing 90 min
would be done for one hour instead of two hours as done in
standard test to save time
While the samples are refluxing, demonstrate the FAS
titration
Session II- 30 min
Ask participants to complete the test and report result

5 Wrap up 30 min
Ask participants to write report
Discuss results

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 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 Arial 24-26, maximum two levels

OHS-lev2
Case: Sentence case. Avoid full text in UPPERCASE.

Italics: Use occasionally and in a consistent way

Listings: OHS-lev1 Big bullets.

OHS-lev1-Numbered 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 OHS-Equation Use of a table will ease horizontal alignment

ions over more lines (columns)
Use equation editor for advanced formatting
only

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Recapitulate COD
1. Oxygen demand of aggregate organic matter

2. Steps
sample + excess oxidant
determine remaining oxidant
oxidant consumed = COD of sample

3. Complete oxidation

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Evaluation of technique

Theoretical oxygen demand

425 mg/L KHP has a COD = 500 mg/L

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Sample volume
Oxidant quantity should be in excess of sample COD

Example
0.25 N, 10mL pot dichromate oxygen equivalence = 2.5 meq or
20 mg O2
for 20 mL sample, COD< 20mg/20mL
or <1000 mg/L

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Samples for analysis

Sample Source Predicted Reason

COD
A Sewage
B River
C Well
D Standard

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 5. Evaluation sheets

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Hydrology Project Training Module File: 19 How to measure COD.doc Version 05/11/02 Page 11
 6. Handout

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Recapitulate COD
1. Oxygen demand of aggregate organic matter
2. Steps
sample + excess oxidant
determine remaining oxidant
oxidant consumed = COD of sample
3. Complete oxidation

Evaluation of technique
Theoretical oxygen demand
425 mg/L KHP has a COD = 500 mg/L

Sample volume
Oxidant quantity should be in excess of sample COD
Example
0.25 N, 10mL pot dichromate oxygen equivalence = 2.5 meq or 20 mg O2
for 20 mL sample, COD< 20mg/20mL
or <1000 mg/L

Samples for analysis

Sample Source Predicted Reason

COD
A Sewage
B River
C Well
D Standard

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 Add copy of Main text in chapter 8, for all participants.

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 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.

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 8. Main text
Contents
1. Aim 1

2. Observations & calculations 1

3. Report 1

SAP for COD measurement 2

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How to measure chemical oxygen demand

1. Aim
a. To determine the chemical oxygen demand of various samples of water.
b. To evaluate the COD measurement technique using a standard sample.

2. Method
a. Read the SAP for COD measurement.
b. Prepare the COD reflux mixtures for the four samples in accordance with the procedure.
c. Standardise the ferrous ammonium sulphate (FAS) solution.
d. You will be told the source of the four samples which you have begun to analyse. Based
on this information and your knowledge of water quality and the COD test, fill in a table
similar to the one below to predict the COD results which you expect and the reason for
your prediction:

Sample Source Predicted COD Reason for your COD prediction

A
B
C
D

e. Following the reflux, cooling and dilution of the digested mixture, titrate the resulting
solution with standardised FAS.

3. Observations & calculations

Calculate the COD of each sample in accordance with the Standard Analytical Procedure for
the COD test.

4. Report
When writing your report the following aspects should be addressed:
the aim of the investigation
the results that you have produced
your original predictions
whether the results were as you originally predicted and, if they were not, the
reasons why they deviated
whether your COD measurement technique was satisfactory
the environmental condition of the samples in terms of their pollution potential

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