Hanna Instruments Canada
The Hanna Advantage: A Worldwide Leader in Technology and Innovation 100% Quality  360 Value
Contact Hanna: (800) 842-6629
Hanna Instruments Canada
Customer Support: (800) 842-6629

COD

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is a measure of the biologically available and inert organic matter that is susceptible to oxidation by a strong oxidizing agent. The Hanna COD method is based on the well-established closed dichromate-reflux colorimetric method. The colorimetric measurement of COD is faster and easier to perform than the titrimetric analysis and do not require additional reagents. The sample is added to the reagent vial, digested under closed reflux conditions, and allowed to cool before measurement is taken. Reference standards can be made using potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP), 1 mg of KHP is equal to 1.175 mg COD. COD is used as a measurement of pollutants by municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants to measure the efficacy of the treatment processes. COD is measured on both influent and effluent water. The efficiency of the treatment process is expressed as COD removal, measured as a percentage of the organic matter purified during the cycle. COD has further applications in power plant operations, chemical manufacturing, commercial laundries, pulp and paper mills, agriculture and animal waste runoff, environmental studies, and general education. Hanna equipment can be used for laboratory or on-site testing. The measurement procedure is designed for ease of use by personnel at any skill level.

Shop By

Solutions

COD standards are available and are supplied with a Certificate of Analysis stating the accuracy and traceability of the standard.

Accessories

Accessories include a COD reactor to digest the sample at the required temperature. The COD reactor features a built-in timer.

Benchtop Photometers

Benchtop photometers include multi-parameter versions for water treatment, wastewater treatment, swimming pools, boilers and cooling tower. Each photometer is customized to have the parameters used by a specific industry. All benchtop have a digital pH electrode input allowing it to be used as a traditional pH meter.

Spectrophotometers

Spectrophotometers are available that have all available COD parameters pre-programmed in the meter. The spectrophotometer offers the highest precision due to the quality of the optical system that has a wavelength accuracy of +/- 1.5 nm. The spectrophotometer allows for custom methods to be used.

Reagents

COD test uses a strong oxidant, potassium dichromate (k2Cr2O7), to fully oxidize the organic molecules in a sample into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. Dichromate readily gives up oxygen (O2) to bond with carbon atoms to create carbon dioxide. In the process the potassium dichromate is reduced from the hexavalent (C+6) state in the dichromate to the trivalent (Cr+3) state.

The two chromium ions are both colored and absorb light at different wavelengths. The chromic ion (Cr+3) absorbs strongly in the 600 – 620 nm range while the dichromate ion (Cr2O7-2) absorbs light at 420 nm. The change in the color of solution as the reaction occurs can be used to find the amount of organic molecules that have been oxidized. Low range COD (<150 ppm) test measures the decrease in the dichromate, while high range COD test measures the increase in chromium ions.

The most common interference for this reaction is the chloride ion. The interference of the chloride ions can be almost completely eliminated by adding mercuric sulfate (HgSO4) prior to the addition of the potassium dichromate. The mercuric sulfate complexes with the chloride ion removing it from reacting with the potassium dichromate. A 10:1 w/w ratio of HgSO4:Cl can be dance with me lois used for concentrations of chloride ions less than 2,000 mg/L. Measuring COD of samples with concentrations greater than 2,000 mg Cl/L require special considerations.

The dichromate method used by Hanna Instruments is adapted from the standard EPA and ISO methods for determination of COD, which are approved to measure COD concentrations ranging up to 1500 mg/L O2,. For samples with expected concentrations in the high range of 0 to 15,000 mg/L O2, the dichromate reagents can be used for accurate COD determination.