DHAKA UNIVERSITY OF

ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY,

Gazipur-1707
Department of Chemical Engineering.

Course Code: ChE 3758

Course Name: Environmental Management and control sessional

Experiment No-04
Experiment Name- Determination of Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in waste water.

Date of Experiment:18-09-2023 Date of Submission: 01-10-2023

Submitted By, Submitted To,

Name: Md. Shafiul Hasan

Dr. Mahbuba Jannat
Student ID: 208001
Assistant Professor
Year:3rd Dpt. Of Chemical Engineering
Semester:1st DUET, Gazipur-1707
Session:2020-2021

Allocated Mark Obtained Mark Signature

Experiment no: 04
Experiment name: Determination of Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in waste water.
Objective:
1.To measure COD in collected waste water sample.

2.To know water quality, environmental health, and compliance with regulations in various
contexts.

Introduction:

The potassium dichromate chemical oxygen demand (COD) test quantifies the quantity of
organic material that can be oxidized by potassium dichromate in a solution of 50% sulfuric
acid.

In order to accelerate the oxidation of specific kinds of materials, a silver compound is typically
added as a catalyst. Adding mercuric compound and organics can lessen interference from
oxidation of dichromate by chloride ions. Carbon dioxide, water, and a variety of states of
the chrome ions.

The quantity of dichromate used is calculated following the conclusion of the oxidation
process. by titrimetrically or colorimetrically. The quantity of chromic ions, or reduced
chromium, or both One can measure the amount of unreacted dichromate. Choosing the latter
approach requires the analyst to must be aware of the exact amount of dichromate.

Theory:

Biological Oxygen When strong oxidants like potassium dichromate are used to chemically
oxidise organic materials, the amount of oxygen needed is called the demand. COD is used in
wastewater treatment facilities to gauge how much oxygen is needed to decompose the
contaminants (organic matter). A high chemical oxygen demand in water suggests that there
are more contaminants present and that there is less dissolved oxygen (DO) available. COD
range to be anticipated for waters obtained from various sources.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen required to chemically
oxidize organic and inorganic substances in water. It is a crucial parameter in assessing the
pollution level of wastewater and is widely used in environmental monitoring. The COD test
provides information about the total quantity of pollutants present in water that can be oxidized
under specific conditions.
 Water type Expected COD (mgL-¹)

River 5-50

Treated effluent and polluted rivers 25-250

Primary or secondary effluent 250-750

Raw municipal Sewage 500-1200

Contaminated Industrial effluent 1000-5000

Table 01: Typical COD levels found in natural waters and sewage/effluent

Materials and Equipment:

1. COD reagent (Potassium dichromate).
2. COD Digester.
3. Spectrophotometer.
4. Sample water.
5. Deionized water (DI water).
6. Burette, Pipette, COD vial.

Chemical use:

1.Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

2. Silvar sulphate (AgSO4)
3 Potassium dichromate, (K2Cr2O7)

4. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)

Experimental setup:

Figure: COD Digester

Figure: Spectrophotometer
Experimental Procedure:
1. Firstly we collected a representative sample of waste water.

2.Then added a few drops of sulfuric acid to the sample to lower the pH and preserve it for
COD analysis.
3.Pipette a known volume of the preserved sample into a COD digestion tube.

4.Then we added a known quantity of reagent (potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) to the tube)
to the tube.

5.Also, this reagent had catalyst (mercury sulfate) and optionally, silver sulfate (AgSO4) to
remove chloride interference, Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) dissolve oxygen.

6.Sealed the tube and place it in the COD digestion apparatus, Heat the sample to promote
oxidation 2 hour.
7.After digestion, cool the sample to room temperature.
8.Then we Measured the absorbance of the sample at a specific wavelength using the
spectrophotometer. our experimental sample wave length value was 620 nm.
8.Recorded the absorbance value 3 times similar wave.
9.Prepared a series of standard solutions with known COD concentrations.

10.Measured the absorbance of each standard solution using the same procedure as for the
sample.

11.Run blank tests and check the accuracy of the analysis using standard solutions for quality
control.
Experimental Data table:
mg
Sample Measure data (COD) L
01 543

02 488

03 562

Table 01: Experimental Data

Calculation:
543 + 488 + 562
Average Turbidity =
3
mg
= 531
L
Result:
mg
our average experimental COD 531 .
L
mg
If we looked table 01, we show Primary or secondary effluent 250-750 L

So, can said that our experimental sample was Primary or secondary effluent.
Discussion:

After complete this experiment we had learned about determination of COD of water sample.
The experiment was very important for water sample purity test. We had done it properly in
our lab section. we had maintained all rules and regulation. According to World health
mg
organization (WHO) standard The COD of surface water normally ranges from 5 to 20 L is
suggested as the COD limit for drinking water. Also WHO standard Treated effluent and
mg mg
polluted rivers 25-250 L . Primary or secondary effluent 250-750 L . Raw municipal Sewage
mg
500-1200 . The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the maximum
L
permissible limit of COD in drinking water should not exceed 200 mg/L. This limit is set to
ensure that the water is safe for human consumption and does not cause any adverse health
effects. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States recommends that
the maximum permissible limit of COD in drinking water should not exceed 1000 mg/L. This
limit is set to ensure that the water is safe for human consumption and does not cause any
adverse health effects. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommends that the maximum
permissible limit of COD in drinking water should not exceed 250 mg/L. This limit is set to
ensure that the water is safe for human consumption and does not cause any adverse health
effects. whenever we test our collected sample we have got 3 result in our sample value that
mg mg mg
was 543 L , 488 L , 562 L . we have seen the COD of our water sample was increasing Or
decreasing because when we have took 1st sample, we have stirred it property but we have done
2nd sample and 3rd sample we have particle was settle dawn on the bottom of the water bottle.
The result not correct because we have pick the vial in our on hand so, the result was not correct.
mg
Our average turbidity 531 L in water sample. It was harmful for our health drinking purpose.
After we have taken and noted all data and data table Then we have finished Experiment
property and cleaned all the equipment. After all I think this experimental experience help in
my future job life.
Conclusion:

The specific details of the conclusion will depend on the context of the study, the characteristics
of the wastewater, and the applicable regulatory framework. Always tailor your conclusion to
the specific circumstances of the COD analysis and its implications.