Why Check Effluent Treatment Plant COD?
Effluent Treatment Plants are a compulsory plant to process industrial effluent prior to its discharge into the environment. The most important parameter that is being monitored in ETPs is Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). COD is an organic and inorganic impurities parameter in wastewater, such that the treatment efficiency can be gauged by the operator.
Regular COD measurement ensures environmental regulations, avoids pollution, and ensures the efficiency of the treatment plant. Let us understand why COD measurement is required and how it affects ETP efficiency.
What is COD in Effluent Treatment Plants?
COD is the total chemically oxidized oxygen in the decomposition of organic and inorganic substances present in wastewater. COD is measured in terms of milligrams per liter (mg/L) and referred to as the burden of contaminants present in the effluent.
High COD indicates that the wastewater is rich in contaminants that reduce the oxygen level in the receiving water bodies. It is toxic to aquatic organisms and disrupts the natural environment.
COD is typically analyzed by chemical oxidation methods, whereby strong oxidants destroy the pollutants and quantify their oxygen requirement.
Role of COD Analysis in ETPs
· Maintains Effective Wastewater Treatment: COD monitoring enables treatment stage evaluation that encompasses primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment. COD value for high concentration after treatment will show that the organic polluters are not properly being removed by the plant and therefore process adjustments need to be implemented.
· Comes under Environmental Regulation: Limits of COD discharge are established by governments and environmental agencies. These need to be obeyed by the industries so that they are not legally authorized and do not spoil the environment at all. The COD is checked continuously so that the effluent is within the provided standards of discharge.
· Prevents Water Pollution: High COD waste under-treatment or not treated at all causes water contamination by low-level dissolution of dissolved oxygen, resulting in the death of aquatic animals. Control of COD levels enables water bodies to be saved from deterioration.
· Ensures Efficient Treatment Operations: COD monitoring enables control of treatment parameters like chemical dosing, aeration, and sludge handling to be performed by plant operators. Recognition of COD level trend enables industries to make sound decisions on maximizing treatment efficiency.
· Reduces Operating Costs: Excess levels of COD above requirement may result in elevated chemical and energy consumption in treatment plants. With regulation of COD in check, industries can maximize use of resources, reduce chemical cost, and reduce operating costs.
How is COD Measured in ETPs?
COD measurement is done by COD analyzer or laboratory tests. The procedure involved is as follows:
· Sampling: Wastewater sample is taken from different ETP points.
· Oxidation: Potassium dichromate is added since it's a potent oxidizing agent to decompose the pollutants.
· Digestion: Sample is warmed up to hasten the oxidation reaction.
· Measurement: Spectrophotometer detects the COD value by quantifying the oxygen requirement.
Testing on a regular basis at different treatment stages requires finding inefficiencies and making adjustments in the process.
Conclusion
COD monitoring in an Effluent Treatment Plant is of prime importance to the effectiveness of treatment, regulation, and avoiding environmental pollution. COD monitoring helps industries to optimize their wastewater treatment process, reduce costs, and save water resources.
By controlling and monitoring COD, the ETP operators can optimize the plant efficiency and aid in a healthier and improved environment.
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