The currently used BOD test attempts to predict oxygen level depletion in a given environment, e.g. a moving stream, and is also a parameter for the design and operation of biological processes. It is run under conditions similar to those occurring in nature, but it has been reported that the oxidation rate in a stream is higher than the corresponding rate obtained from the laboratory BOD test. This study was undertaken to observe the effect of turbulence, light and turbidity, separately and in combinations, on the standard BOD test, using raw sewage samples. Mixing was found to increase the BOD, by an average of 15$. reduce the lag period and increase the ultimate BOD value. Light did not show any appreciable change on the standard BOD test, since only an average 4% increase in BOD^ was found. However, turbidity demonstrated an average reduction of 25% on BOD,, values. When the above physical changes were observed in combinations, the results were not additive. As an example, light and turbidity, in combination, did not reduce the BOD,-decrease to 21% (25%-k%). Instead, the decrease in BOD^ value was 5%. This clearly points out that physical changes to the BOD test should not only be studied separately, but also in combinations. Therefore, this study appears to expose the inade quacy of the present BOD test for actual stream conditions. It has also shown that without further research, extrapolating from the existing standard BOD test,yields questionable results. Inclusion in the BOD test, of the physical characteristics of the stream, is a possible solution to obtaining reliable results. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

A novel rapid method for the determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) has been developed. By replacing oxygen, the terminal electron acceptor in the microbial oxidation of organic substrate, with the ferricyanide ion, a significant increase in the rate of the biochemical reaction could be achieved. This arises from the high solubility of the ferricyanide ion (compared to oxygen); therefore allowing for elevated microbial populations without rapid depletion of the electron acceptor. Therefore, the BOD of a sample can be determined within 1-3 hours compared to 5-days with the standard BOD5 assay. A range of microorganisms were shown to be able to use the ferricyanide ion as an alternative electron acceptor for the biodegradation of a range of organic compounds in the ferricyanide mediated BOD (FM-BOD) assay. The most suitable biocatalyst in the FM-BOD method, however, was shown to be a mixture of microorganisms that was capable of degrading large amounts and types of compounds. These mixed consortia of microorganisms included a synthetic mixture prepared in our laboratory and two commercially available consortia, BODseedTM and Bi-ChemTM. When these seed materials were employed in the FM-BOD assay, the method was shown to closely estimate the BOD5 values of real wastewater samples. The linear dynamic working range of the FM-BOD method was also greatly extended compared to the standard BOD5 assay (nearly 50 times greater) and other oxygen based BOD biosensors. The immobilisation of the microbial consortia by both gel entrapment and freeze-drying methods was shown to greatly reduce the preparation and handling time of the mixed consortia for use in the FM-BOD method. Immobilisation of the mixed microbial consortium in LentiKats®, a PVA hydrogel, resulted in a marked increase in the stability of the biocatalyst. Diffusion limitations resulting from the gel matrix, however, reduced the rate and extent of the bioreaction as well as the linear dynamic working range of the method. Freeze-drying techniques were shown to circumvent some of the limitations identified with gel entrapment for the immobilisation of the mixed consortia. The freeze-dried consortia could be used off-the-shelf and demonstrated reduced diffusional restrictions. A marked decrease in the viability of the microorganisms was observed directly following the freeze-drying process and in subsequent storage. Carrageenan, however, was shown to afford a significant degree a protection to the cells during the freeze-drying process.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington. / Bibliography: l. 156-177.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1953. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on October 30, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

The research presented in this report is in two sections. Section I involved the performance of a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) versus a biological aerated filtration (BAF) and Section II involved study on causes of deposition in anaerobic digester gas piping. The first section evaluated and compared the performance of a laboratory-scale MBBR and BAF for organic carbon and suspended solids removal. A kinetic study was also performed on the MBBR to evaluate the system performance. The purpose was to recommend one of the systems for the Force Provider project, which provides a containerized "city" for the U.S. Army. The effluent criteria against which the systems were evaluated were total 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (TBOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS) of 30 mg/L each. The report is based on a 5-month laboratory -scale study of the two reactors. The MBBR performance depended on the percent of media provided in the reactor and the organic loading. At a media volume, which displaced the reactor volume by 40 % (heretofore called 40 % media volume), and surface area loading rate (SALR) of 20 g BOD5/m2-d, the system performance deteriorated with time. At 40 % media volume and SALR below 15 g BOD5/m2-d, the system performance improved but still did not meet effluent criteria or average. TBOD5 reduction was generally poor (approximately 50 %). Soluble BOD5 (SBOD5) concentrations were frequently below 30 mg/L and TSS concentrations were often higher than influent TSS. Overall, TSS wastage from the system (both effluent TSS and intentional wastage) averaged 0.032 kg/d. BAF system performance was excellent for TBOD5, CBOD5, SBOD5 and TSS removal, and were consistently less that 30 mg/L. Overall TSS wastage from the BAF (both via effluent and backwash) average 0.027 kg/d and was 16 % less than for the MBBR. Based on demonstrated performance, the BAF was the only viable reactor for the project. Section II of the report focused on possible causes of deposition in an anaerobic digester gas piping at a local wastewater treatment facility (Peppers ferry regional wastewater treatment facility). Industrial waste input to the treatment facility has increased lately and accounts for 40 % of the plant's wastewater inflow. An industry in Pulaski, VA, Magnox Inc. generates and disposes highly concentrated sodium sulfate, (70,000 mg/L) which is a by-product of its activities, to PFRWTF wastewater influent stream. As a result of Magnox industrial waste input, a pilot study was carried out to determine the effect of its waste on the activated sludge treatment units. Results indicated that Magnox industrial waste input would not have adverse effect on the aeration basins. However production of H2S, which can have effect on the anaerobic digester was reported (Olver Inc., 1995). Field analysis of data reported by Olver Inc. (2000) showed that H2S concentration in PFRWTF anaerobic digester gas was rising. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of deposits found in the digester pipe together with results obtained from the laboratory-scale study revealed that iron and sulfur played a role in the deposition in the digester gas pipe. The laboratory scale study revealed that ferrous ion in the digester feed possibly precipitated over 90 % of the hydrogen sulfide gas produced in the digester, thus protecting the digester from adverse effects caused by hydrogen sulfide. / Master of Science

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 129-132).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2005. / "December, 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-128). Online version available on the World Wide Web.