BOD Math

As with other wastewater treatment unit processes, process control calculations are important tools used by
operators to control and optimize operations. Let's start with how to calculate the BOD loading for the
activated sludge process.
BOD Determination
The term "seed" refers to microbes that consume the biodegradable organic matter in samples for
measurement of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). When determining BOD, it is necessary to have a
population of microbes that can oxidize, or consume, the biodegradable organic matter present in the sample.
If there is too little seed present in the sample, complete consumption of the organic matter may not occur,
resulting in inaccurate results. In samples such as influent and effluent waters prior to disinfection, this is not a
problem since the sample will contain a sufficient amount of bacteria to do the job. However, in certain sample
types, such as some industrial wastes, high temperature wastes, and treated effluent, there is not enough
bacterial activity to consume the material that is present. In these cases, seed must be added. Seed is simply a
solution that contains a sufficient population of bacteria and is usually provided at the plant. Let's look at how
to determine BOD of a seeded and unseeded sample. (*Note: the 300 mL used in both equation is a standard
because a BOD bottle is 300 mL.)
If you have enough microbes in your sample you will not need to use a seed for correction and will use the
formula:
Example:
A BOD test was done on a 5 mL sample. The initial DO of the sample is 8.3 mg/L. The final DO of the
sample is 4.5 mg/L. Determine the BOD in mg/L for this sample.
The BOD test relies on the presence of healthy organisms. If the samples tested contain materials which could
kill or injure the microbes the condition must be corrected and healthy, active organisms are added. This
process is known as seeding. If this occurs, determine BOD of the sampling using the formula:
Example:
A BOD test was done on a 5 mL sample. It was determined that the initial DO for the sample was 9.2
mg/L and the final DO was 3.8 mg/L. A seed correction of 0.59 mg/L is needed for the sample.
Determine the BOD, in mg/L for the sample.
BOD Loading
When calculating BOD or suspended solids loading on an aeration process (or any other treatment process),
loading on that process is usually calculated as lb/day with the equation we've already been using:
Loading, lb/day = mg/L x MGD x 8.34 lb/gal
Example:
The BOD concentration of the wastewater entering an aerator is 180 mg/L. If the flow to the aerator is
2.25 MGD, what is the BOD loading in lb/day?
BOD, lb/day = BOD, mg/L x Flow, MGD x 8.34 lb/gal
BOD, lb/day = 180 mg/L x 2.25 MGD x 8.34 lb/gal
BOD, lb/day = 3,377.7 lb/day
Example:
The BOD concentration of the wastewater entering an aerator is 220 mg/L. If the flow to the aerator is
850,000 gpd, what is the BOD loading in lb/day?

Example:
The flow to an aeration tank is 3850 gpm. If the BOD concentration is 155 mg/L, how many pounds of
BOD are applied to the aeration tank daily?
First you need to convert gpm to MGD:
Now determine the loading on the process:
Solids Inventory
In the activated sludge process it is important to control the amount of solids under aeration. The suspended
solids in an aeration tank are called mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). To calculate the pounds of solids
in the aeration tank, we need to know the MLSS concentration and the aeration tank volume. MLSS can be
calculated using the following equation:
MLSS, lb = MLSS, mg/L x Volume, MG x 8.34 lb/gal
Example:
If the MLSS concentration is 1525 mg/L and the aeration tank volume is 625,000 gallons, how many
pounds of suspended solids are in the aeration tank?
MLSS, lb = 1525 mg/L x 0.625 MG x 8.34 lb/gal
MLSS, lb = 7,949.06 lb
Example:
If the MLSS concentration is 850 mg/L and the aeration tank volume is 550,000 gallons, how many
pounds of suspended solids are in the aeration tank?
MLSS, lb = 850 mg/L x 0.55 MG x 8.34 lb/gal
MLSS, lb = 3,898.95 lb
Some calculations need the mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) measurement. That can be
determined from the MLSS measurement:
MLVSS = MLSS x % (decimal) volatile matter (VM)
Example:
The aeration tank contains 3250 mg/L of MLSS. Lab tests indicate the MLSS is 65% volatile matter.
What is the MLVSS concentration in the aeration tank?
MLVSS, mg/L = MLSS x % (decimal) volatile matter (VM)
MLVSS, mg/L = 3250 x 0.65
MLVSS, mg/L = 2,112.5 mg/L
Food-to-Microorganism Ratio (F/M Ratio)
After the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) has been determined a mixed liquor volatile suspended solids
(MLVSS) test may be performed in order to determine the concentration of volatile suspended solids in the
aeration basin. MLVSS is critical in determining the operational behavior and biological inventory of the
system. The filter used for MLSS testing is ignited at 550°C for 30 minutes. The weight lost on ignition of the
solids represents the volatile solids in the sample. Make sure you understand the difference between MLSS
and MLVSS. MLSS is the suspended solids in the aeration tank. They include both organics and inorganis.
MLVSS, on the other hand, is the volatile portion only, which basically means this is the portion that are
microbes.
The number of microorganisms which are used to seed the aeration chamber is carefully controlled and is
based on the food to microorganism ratio (F/M ratio). The microbes will most efficiently break down the
organic matter in water if they are present in the right proportion. The food value in the F/M ratio for
computing loading can be either BOD or COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). The reason for biosolids
production is to convert BOD to bacteria. One advantage of using COD over BOD for analysis of organic load
is that COD is more accurate and doesn't take as long to process.

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As with other wastewater treatment unit processes, process control calculations are important tools used by

Loading, lb/day = mg/L x MGD x 8.34 lb/gal

BOD, lb/day = BOD, mg/L x Flow, MGD x 8.34 lb/gal

BOD, lb/day = 180 mg/L x 2.25 MGD x 8.34 lb/gal

BOD, lb/day = 3,377.7 lb/day

BOD, lb/day = BOD, mg/L x Flow, MGD x 8.34 lb/gal

BOD, lb/day = 1,559.58 lb/day

First you need to convert gpm to MGD:

Now determine the loading on the process:

BOD, lb/day = BOD, mg/L x Flow, MGD x 8.34 lb/gal

BOD, lb/day = 155 mg/L x 5.54 MGD x 8.34 lb/gal

BOD, lb/day = 7,161.56 lb/day

MLSS, lb = MLSS, mg/L x Volume, MG x 8.34 lb/gal

MLSS, lb = MLSS, mg/L x Volume, MG x 8.34 lb/gal

MLSS, lb = 1525 mg/L x 0.625 MG x 8.34 lb/gal

MLSS, lb = MLSS, mg/L x Volume, MG x 8.34 lb/gal

MLSS, lb = 850 mg/L x 0.55 MG x 8.34 lb/gal

MLVSS = MLSS x % (decimal) volatile matter (VM)

MLVSS, mg/L = MLSS x % (decimal) volatile matter (VM)

MLVSS, mg/L = 3250 x 0.65

MLVSS, mg/L = 2,112.5 mg/L

Food-to-Microorganism Ratio (F/M Ratio)

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