FACULTY : ENGINEERING

EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

LABORATORY /
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

LABORATORY INSTRUCTION SHEETS

COURSE CODE BNP 21403

EXPERIMENT CODE EXPERIMENT 3

EXPERIMENT TITLE BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)

DATE

GROUP NO.

(1)
LECTURER/ INSTRUCTOR
(2)

DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION

RECEIVED DATE AND STAMP

COMMENTS:

TOTAL MARK (FROM RUBRIC

1
ASSESSMENT)
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
LABORATORY RUBRIC ASSESSMENT

CLO: To Display the ability of working in group in accomplishing the tasks of water and wastewater
analysis and treatment technology effectively
(PLO2- P4) – 10%

Level of Achievement

Very Weak Weak Modest Good Excellent

Elements
1 2 3 4 5 Level Weight Score

Introduction Background Background Background Background Background

Content knowledge is information is information is information is information may information has the
accurate, relevant and missing or accurate, but overly narrow or contain minor appropriate level of
provides appropriate contains major irrelevant or too overly general (only omissions or specificity to provide
background for reader inaccuracies. disjointed to make partially relevant). inaccuracies that do concise and useful P1 4 /20
including defining critical relevance clear not detract from the context to aid the
terms. major point of the reader’s
paper understanding
Materials and methods No materials are Some materials are Some materials are Most materials are All Materials are
Appropriate materials and listed. listed. listed. listed. listed.
method are present and Procedure section Procedure is Procedure contains Procedure is P4 3 /15
explained is missing. Poorly explained / missing steps and most steps and is complete and easy to
indecipherable difficult to follow. easy to follow. follow. All steps are
present.
Measurement/Results All data are Most data are Most data are All data are taken All data are
Data are summarized in missing or missing or correctly taken, but minor data are correctly taken
a logical format. Table incorrect incorrect no missing data incorrect
P4 3 /15
or graph types are
appropriate. Data are
properly labelled
including
Discussionunits. Graph Alternative Alternative Discussion Discussion of Discussion and
axes are appropriately
Alternative explanations are explanations are explanations are addresses some but alternatives is analysis of
labeled andand
considered scaled and
clearly not provided mentioned but not not all of the reasonably complete, alternatives is based
captions arebyinformative
eliminated data in a discussed or alternatives in a uses data where on data, complete and
and complete.
persuasive discussion. eliminated. reasonable way. possible and results persuasive with a
P4 5 /25
in at least some single clearly
alternatives being supported
persuasively explanation
dismissed remaining by the end
of the discussion.
Respond to Q&A Minimum Limited ability to Able to respond Able to respond Unable to respond
Respond and answer to ability to answer and and answer and answer and answer to the
the question accordingly. respond and sometimes do not constructively constructively at question P3 2 /10
answer to the match the most of the time. all times. accordingly.
question. question.
Conclusion Conclusions have Conclusions have Conclusions have Conclusions are Conclusions are
Conclusion is clearly and no basis in data little basis in data some direct basis in clearly and logically completely justified
logically drawn from data provided provided the data, but may drawn from and by data.
P2 2 /10
provided. contain some gaps bounded by the data
in logic or data or provided with no
are overly broad. gaps in logic.
Report Quality Word usage is The report is The report has The report is written The report is written
Grammar, word usage and frequently written is not well several grammar in complete in complete sentences
organization facilitate the confused or written and contains and spelling sentences and (except materials
reader’s understanding of incorrect. many errors in mistakes, and many contains no personal section) and contains
the paper. spelling, grammar, sentence fragments. pronouns. Most of no personal P2 1 /5
and sentence the grammar and pronouns. Grammar
structure spelling are correct. and spelling are
correct.

Total
2
Mark: /100
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

I hereby declare that I have prepared this report with my own efforts. I also admit to not accept or

provide any assistance in preparing this report and anything that is in it is true.

1) Group Leader __________________________________ (Signature)

Name : __________________________________
Matrix No. : __________________________________

2) Group Member 1 ___________________________________ (Signature)

Name : ___________________________________
Matrix No : ___________________________________

3) Group Member 2 __________________________________ (Signature)

Name : __________________________________
Matrix No. : __________________________________

4) Group Member 3 __________________________________ (Signature)

Name : __________________________________
Matrix No. : __________________________________

3
 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

1.0 OBJECTIVES
a) To understand the concept of biochemical oxygen demand in a given
water/wastewater sample.
b) To determine the biochemical oxygen demand in water sample.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course students are able to:
a) Describe the importance of BOD in the environmental studies.
b) Evaluate the water parameter quality in water sample and water supply.
c) Identify problems and use their generic skill to solve problems.
d) Develop their ability to work in group.

3.0 INTRODUCTION
3.1 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test measures the ability of naturally occurring
microorganism to digest organic matter, usually in a 5 days incubation at 20oC by
analysing the depletion of oxygen. BOD is the most commonly used parameter for
determining the oxygen demand on the receiving water of a municipal or industrial
discharge. BOD can also be used to evaluate the efficiency of treatment processes
and is an indirect measure of biodegradable organic compounds in water.

3.2 The BOD test is normally required by a regulatory program. For this experiment two
analytical methods for testing and reporting BOD5 will be examined; dilution method
(EPA method 405.1 and Standard method 5210 B) and respirometric method (using
BODTrak apparatus by Hachcompany).

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

4.0 INSTRUMENTS /APPARATUS / CHEMICAL / REAGENTS

4.1 Chemicals / Reagents
a) pH calibration buffers: pH 4.00, pH 7.00 and pH 10.00
b) Nutrient salt solutions (prepared by technician);
i) Phosphate buffer solution: 8.5 g potassium dihydrogen phosphate
(KH2PO4) are dissolved in approximately 500 mL distilled water and 21.75 g
Di potassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4) are added, followed by 33.4 g
di sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4. 7H2O) and 1.7 g ammonium
chloride (NH4Cl). The solution is made up to 1 L and the pH of this buffer
should be 7.2.
ii) Magnesium sulphate solution: 22.5 g magnesium sulphate (MgSO4.
7H2O) is dissolved in distilled water and the solution made up to 1 L.
iii) Calcium chloride solution: 27.5 g of anhydrous calcium chloride (CaCl2)
are dissolved in distilled water and the solution made up to 1 L.
iv) Ferric chloride solution: 0.25 g FeCl3.6H2O is dissolved in distilled water
and the solution made up to 1 L.
c) Dilution water: 1 mL of each of the nutrient salt solutions is added to 1 L
deionised water and aeration carried out for several days (at least 12 hours) in
the dark. Mix thoroughly and bring temperature to 20 + 3oC.
Note: Prepare dilution water 3 to 5 days before initiating BOD test to ensure
that the BOD of the dilution water is less than 0.2 mg/L.
d) 1 N of sulfuric acid, H2SO4 or 1 N sodium hydroxide, NaOH

4.2 Apparatus /Instruments

a) 300 mL glass stoppers BOD bottles
b) Incubator regulated at 20+ 1oC
c) pH meter
d) Dissolved oxygen meter
e) Air pump
f) Measuring cylinder, 500 mL
g) Beaker
h) Volumetric flask, 1000 mL
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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

5.0 PROCEDURE
5.1 Determination of sample size
Use formulas in Calculation section to calculate the minimum and maximum
estimated of sample size.

5.2 Pre-treatment of samples (Neutralizing samples)

Caustic alkalinity or acidity can prevent bacteria from growing during the course of
the BOD test. To prevent this, samples which have pH values higher than pH 8.0
or lower than pH 6.0 must be neutralized to pH 7.0 before the test is performed.

(i). Pour 50 mL of sample into a 100 mL beaker.

(ii). Measure the pH of the sample using a pH meter. If the pH is out of the
range of pH 6.0 to pH 8.0 continue with steps 3-6, otherwise perform the
BOD test on the untreated sample.
(iii). Add 1 N sulfuric acid, H2SO4 if the sample is alkaline, or 1 N sodium
hydroxide, NaOH if the sample is acidic, until the pH reaches 6.5-7.5.
(iv). Calculate the amount of sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide needed to
neutralize 1000 mL of the sample.
(v). Add the calculated amount of acid or base to the sample (See calculation
section).
(vi). Repeat steps 1-5 until the pH test shows pH 6.5-7.5. Record the volume of
NaOH or H2SO4 in Results section.

5.3 BOD5 measurement

(i) Prepared the sample of estimated BOD5 (400 mg/L for influent and 60 mg/L
for effluent).
(ii) Label separately 6 unit of 300 mL BOD bottle. One bottle for blank and
another bottle for sample.
(iii) For each bottle, partially filled with dilution water and add volume of sample
size based on your calculation (except the blank bottle). Completely fill the
bottles with dilution water.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

(iv) Determine the initial DO for each bottle and record data on Results section.
(v) Insert the bottle stoppers and will the top of each bottle each round the bottle
stopper with dilution water.
(vi) Place the remaining bottles in the incubator at 20°C and incubate for five
days.
(vii) At the end of exactly five days (+3 hours), determine the final DO content of
the incubated bottles. Record the result on data sheet.

Note: The dilution water blanks are used only to check the quality of the dilution water.
If the quality of the water is good and free from impurities, the depletion of DO should be
less than 0.2 mg/L. In any event, do not use the depletion obtained as a blank correction.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

6.0 RESULTS & CALCULATIONS

6.1 Results

a) Type of sample: _________________________

b) Initial pH of sample : _________________________
c) Adjustment pH of sample : _________________________
d) Volume of acid used : _________________________ mL
e) Volume of base used : _________________________ mL
f) Volume of sample used: (i). __________________ ml
(ii). _________________ ml
(iii). ---------------------- ml

Table 6.1: BOD5 of water sample

Volume of Volume of DO
Initial DO, Final DO, BOD5,
Sample incubation sample depletion,
mg/L mg/L mg/L
bottle, mL size, mL mg/L
Blank
1
2
3
4
5

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

6.2 Calculations
6.2.1 The two equations below to determine the maximum and minimum
amount of sample water to be used in dilutions.

Sample water, mL = (minimum allowable depletion, mg/L) x (volume of BOD bottle, mL)
Estimated BOD, mg/L

Sample water, mL = (maximum allowable depletion, mg/L) x (volume of BOD bottle, mL)
Estimated BOD, mg/L

For example, suppose the estimated BOD of an influent sample is 400 mg/L
and assume the DO of saturated dilution water is 8.0 mg/L. Since the criteria
for most valid results states that the DO depletion at the end of five days
incubation should be at least 2.0 mg/L and the residual DO at least 1.0 mg/L, to
calculate the minimum The two equations below to determine the maximum and
minimum amount of sample water to be used in dilutions.

Sample water, mL = (minimum allowable depletion, mg/L) x (volume of BOD bottle, mL)
Estimated BOD, mg/L

Sample water, mL = (maximum allowable depletion, mg/L) x (volume of BOD bottle, mL)
Estimated BOD, mg/L

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

6.2.2 Calculate the amount of 1 N sodium hydroxide, NAOH or 1 N sulfuric acid,

H2SO4 needed to neutralize the sample to pH 7.0 using the following formula:

Volume of acid or base needed, mL = (volume acid or base used, mL x total test sample, mL)
Sample portion used for neutralization, mL.

For example, suppose 1.3 mL of 1 N NaOH are used to neutralize 50 mL of sample

to pH 7.0. Calculate the volume of NaOH to be added to neutralize the sample as
follows:

Volume 1 N NaOH needed, mL = (1.3 mL x 1000 mL) = 26 mL

50 mL

6.2.3 To determine the value of the BOD5 in mg/L, use the following formula;

BOD5, mg/L = (DO depletion) x 300

Sample size, mL

7.0 ANALYSIS
Please analyse the data and results obtained in this experiment

8.0 DISCUSSIONS
Discuss your results both on the basis of any theory presented and on their relevance
to practical applications and current industrial practise. Comment on the variation of your
results and compare them with the recommended standard values from the Department
of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment or other international
organization such as EPA, WHO, EC, etc.

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 FACULTY : ENGINEERING
EDITION: 02
TECHNOLOGY
LABORATORY: CIVIL
REVISION NO: 02
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENT: EFFECTIVE DATE: FEB 2018
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN
DEMAND (BOD) AMENDMENT DATE: FEB 2018

9.0 ADVANCED QUESTIONS

1. Why is it important to determine BOD value in wastewater treatment?

2. Why do you incubate BOD bottles?

3. Why you need to determine the BOD of the blank (dilution water, unseeded)?

4. List the chemical added to the dilution water and explain why they are added?

5. 30 mL of wastewater are placed in a 300 mL BOD bottle. The sample is diluted to fill
the bottle. The DO concentrations at the beginning and the end of 5-day incubation
period are 7.3 mg/L and 1.8 mg/L respectively. What is the BOD?

10.0 CONCLUSION
Conclusion is merely a summary, presented in a logical order, of the important findings
already reported in the discussion section. It also relates to the objectives stated earlier.

Prepared by/Disediakan oleh : Approved by/Disahkan oleh :

Signature/Tandatangan : Signature/Tandatangan :

Name/Nama : DR NOR HAZREN ABDUL Name/Nama : ASSOC. PROF. DR. SURAYA

HAMID HANI BT. ADNAN
Date/Tarikh : FEB. 2018 Date/Tarikh : FEB. 2018

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