BIOCHEMICAL-CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTE-WATER BY ELECTROLYTIC RESPIROMETER

The use of an electrolytic respirometer for characterization of chemic al compounds and wastewater was studied. From the BOD curves generated by the respirometer, the first order biokinetic constant(K), ultimate BOD (BODu) and adaptation period were estimated. The estimated ultima te BOD values of the known chemical compounds were very close to the t heoretical oxygen demand values. Using K values, the relative biodegra dability of the chemicals could be compared while the adaptation perio d for each compound could vary with the type of seed micro-organisms u sed. It was found that BOD5 values determined by the conventional meth od have no or very little, if any, meaning as far as the biological ch aracteristics of industrial wastewaters are concerned. The BOD curves for wastewaters consisting of 2 or 3 different compounds could be divi ded into several stages while those for the combined wastewaters could be expressed as one curve.