® BOD testing

BOD testing technologies

BOD testing
technology
Biochemical oxygen Sensor Theory - Optical
demand, BOD, Briefly, this technology utilizes optical, luminescence in
measures the amount order to determine dissolved oxygen values. The optical
of oxygen consumed field probes and OBODTM laboratory BOD probe both
by microorganisms work in the same manner.
when decomposing
organic matter. BOD The optical DO probe measures dissolved oxygen by
also measures the emitting a blue light of the proper wavelength that causes
chemical oxidation
the sensing element to luminesce, or glow red. Oxygen
dissolved in the sample continually passes through the
of inorganic matter
diffusion layer to the luminiphore layer, affecting the
(i.e., the extraction of
luminescence in both intensity and lifetime. The YSI
oxygen from water
sensor measures lifetime of the luminescence as it is
via chemical reaction). affected by the presence of oxygen with a photodiode
The BOD test used to (light detector) in the probe and compares that reading
measure the amount to a reference.
of oxygen consumed
by these organisms
can occasionally
Optical Technology
give operators some
trouble.
Choosing the right sen- Stability: YSI sensors no sanding or soaking
sor/technology for mea- measure the lifetime of required. The optical
Breifly, the BOD test
suring dissolved oxygen the luminescence as it is sensor only requires
consists of an initial (BODs) depends mainly that its sensor cap be
affected by the presence
and final DO reading. on the preference of the of oxygen with a photo- replaced every 12-18
There are several laboratory personnel. diode in the probe and months. The YSI OBOD
factors that can affect Optical, luminescent compares that reading probe has a protective
accurate initial and technology is gaining to a reference. What sensor guard to prevent
final readings. For wider acceptance over this means for you is a the paint layer from
greatest success in traditional electrochemi- more stable DO reading being scratched when
cal (membrane covered) calculated by the probe moving from BOD bottle
your BOD test, ensure
sensors due to several based on a highly stable to BOD bottle.
that the probe is cared factors.

reference.
for and used properly, Approval: EPA
the instrument is Accuracy: optical sen- Maintenance: optical approval of changes
sors are more accurate technology eliminates
properly calibrated, made to ASTM D888-09
than membrane covered the need for membrane
and gool lab practices Vertical profiler data include the addition of
sensors. This benefit
display changes in water quality replacements and
are always followed. Test Method C, which
is realized
throughout with
the water your
column anode and cathode approves the use of
blanks.
over time. The data at rightDO
Optical maintenance. Even luminescence-based opti-
Feel free to visit sensors have
show a stratified wateracolumn
mg/L though cap membranes cal sensors for dissolved
www.YSI.com/BOD accuracy
and the impactsof +/-0.1
of an aeration only take seconds to oxygen measurement
to download a Tech mg/L
system ongreatly improving
dissolved oxygen. change, they can still for all EPA-regulated
Note entitled How the chances of blanks cause issues. In addi- NPDES, BOD and
not exceeding the tion, since optical sen-
to Ensure Accurate CBOD measurements.
+/-0.2 mg/L threshold sors don’t have anodes
and Successful BOD
level. or cathodes there is
Measurements.
 w w w. y s i . c o m
800 765 4974
+1 937 767 7241

Data Troubles

Sensor Theory - Electrochemical When encountering a

Briefly, the electrochemical technology problem with BOD values,
utilizes a gold cathode, silver anode, most operators blame the
instrument or probe first.
electrolyte solution, and Teflon® or
After all, it’s what gives you
Polyetheylene (PE) membrane in order to
the values! There can be
create a potential across the membrane
many factors leading to the
to measure dissolved oxygen. The oxygen problem from dirty BOD
molecules are consumed at the gold cathode bottles, DI water, bad seed,
after a voltage is applied from the silver bubbles, non-linearity and
anode. In essence, the diffusion rate of so on.
oxygen across the membrane is measured.
The amount of oxygen diffusing through Calibration: Regardless
of technology, it is recom-
the membrane is proportional to the partial
mended to only calibrate
pressure of oxygen outside the membrane.
the instrument once a day
before readings are taken.
Make sure there are no
water droplets on the probe
Electrochemical Technology tip before calibrating and
that the probe is in a 100%
water-saturated air environ-
In 1956, Dr. Leland spec without the probe/ need occasional main- ment. A BOD bottle with
Clark invented the first cable. tenance (sanding and/ a little water in the bottom
polarographic electrode or soaking) in order to is all that’s needed. Place
while working with YSI Stirring: electrochemi- provide optical perfor- the probe back in this bottle
scientists to develop the cal sensors require stir- mance, stability and when not in use.
first DO electrode that ring of the sample in accuracy.
was protected from the order to overcome the Probe Care: Polarographic
medium with a mem- consumption of oxygen Warm-Up Time: the sensors must have fresh
brane. In 1963, this at the membrane’s sur- YSI BOD probes use electrolyte and membranes
technology was first com- face. The polarograph- polarographic sensors along with a maintained
mercialized by YSI as a ic BOD probes have a and require a period of anode and cathode for opti-
portable DO instrument. built-in stirrer to provide time to warm-up before mal performance. Optical
sufficient flow past the using. In order to save sensors will need an occa-
Electrochemical technol- membrane. The opti- the working life of the sional visual check of the
ogy includes both pola- cal BOD probe’s have probe, it is recommend- paint layer on the sensor
rographic and galvanic a stirrer to improve the ed that the instrument be cap.
sensors. response time. Stirring turned off overnight but Warm-Up Time:
also ensures a repre- this will require a warm- Polarographic probes
Accuracy: typical sentative sample in the up time between 5-15 require sufficient warm-up
electrochemical sensors bottle. minutes in the morning time of 5-15 minutes before
have an accuracy spec before the probe and calibrating and using the
of +/-0.2 mg/L. Be sure Maintenance: the instrument can be cali- probe. Improper warm-up
to review the system spec membrane needs brated. time can easily lead to data
if comparing products. replaced approximately drifting due to an inaccurate
Some manufacturers every 2-8 weeks and calibration. Optical probes
only state the instrument the anode and cathode do not require a warm-up
period.
 ®
To order or for more
information,
contact YSI.
YSI Inc.
+1 937 767 7241
800 765 4974
environmental@ysi.com
YSI is a global company
with offices world wide.
Please feel free to visit
YSI.com/contact-us
to locate a local office.
ProODO and We Know DO are
trademarks of YSI Incorporated.
Teflon is a trademakr od DuPont.
©2010 YSI Incorporated
W70 0910
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* International probe versions available.
BOD Instrument and Probe Ordering Guide
Optical BOD
Option
Order ProODO Instrument Item #626281 (instrument includes Data Manager desktop software and the
Pro Comm II communications saddle for data transfer)
Order Optical BOD Probe Item #626400 (U.S. version with U.S. power supply)
or
Order Optical BOD Probe Item #626401 (International version with SAA, EU and BS international out-
let adapters and UK BOD funnel adapter)
Polarographic BOD (several options listed below)
Option #1
Order Professional Plus Instrument Item #6050000 (instrument includes Data Manager desktop soft-
ware and the Pro Comm II communications saddle for data transfer)
Order ProBOD Polarographic BOD Probe Item #605780 (U.S. or international power supply)
Option #2
Order Pro20 Instrument Item #6050020
Order ProBOD Polarographic BOD Probe Item #605780 (U.S. or international power supply)
Option #3
Order 5000 Instrument Item #050022 (U.S. version with 115V power supply)
or
Order 5000 Instrument Item #050023 (International version with 230V power supply)
Order Polarographic BOD Probe Item #050102*
Option #4
Order 5000 Instrument Item #051004 (U.S. version with 115V power supply)
or
Order 5100 Instrument Item #051005 (International version with 230V power supply)
Order Polarographic BOD Probe Item #050102*
YSI BOD Analyst Pro desktop software may be
one of the easiest ways to ensure convenient,
accurate BOD calculations. Taking human error
out of the BOD calculations increases repeatabil-
ity and improves QA/QC assurance.
Order item #625120