DEVELOPMENT OF A MEMBRANE RESPIROMETER

The respirometric technique relies upon reoxygenation of a wastewater sample through a quality controlled polyethylene membrane. The fluid s ample is surrounded by a low density polyethylene membrane permeable t o oxygen and the sample is stirred in the respirometer. In studies the DO saturation concentration of the sample in the respirometer was exp erimentally determined. The respirometer was initially standardized an d the rate of oxygen transfer was estimated. The experimental data was fitted to Fick's linear law of diffusion, using a quality controlled polyethylene membrane, the rate of oxygen transfer was found to be rep roducible. In oxygen uptake studies, DO vs time recorder plots were ob tained. The course of oxygen uptake is depicted and a complete fingerp rint of the course of oxidation of the organic contents in the wastewa ter may be obtained. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd