Determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD) using ultrasound digestion and oxidation-reduction potential-based titration

Abstract

A new method for determining wastewater chemical oxygen demand (COD) using ultrasonic digestion and titration based on oxidation reduction potential (ORP) was developed. COD values of potassium hydrogen phthalate solution obtained by ultrasonic digestion were well matched with those obtained using Standard Methods. When applied to determine COD of real wastewater collected from a local treatment plant, results from the new method were within 80% to 90% of those obtained using Standard Methods. Nonetheless, the proposed strategy has the potential to be implemented into an online COD analyzing system.

Keywords:

• COD determination
• ultrasonic digestion
• oxidation-reduction potential
• process control

Acknowledgment

Financial support from the University of Seoul is greatly appreciated.