1.

A typical wastewater has a value of base 10 rate

constant at a temperature, 200C is 0.1/day. Find its
value at 300C.
Solution:
We know that,
Value of θ= 1.056 for temperature range 200C to 300C.
Now putting the value of k20, θ and T in above equation

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2. Determine ultimate BOD for a sewage having 5-day BOD at 20°C as 180 ppm. Assume the base 10
rate constant K = 0.1 per day.

Solution
we have
BODt = yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given BOD5 = y5 = 180 ppm ; K = 0.1 per day ; t= 5 days
Thus by substitution, we get
180 = L0 (1 - 10-5x 0.1)
L0 = 263.23 ppm (or mg/l)

3. Determine 2-day BOD for the sewage of the above question. Also find the remaining 6 day-BOD.
For 2-day BOD sewage
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
We have, t = 2 days; L0= 263.23 ppm; and K = 0.1 per day
Thus by substitution, we get
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
or., y2 = 263.23(1 – 10-0.1 x 2)
= 263.23 (1 - 0.6309)
= 97.16 ppm (or mg/l)

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For remaining 6 day-BOD
Lt= L0(10-kt)
Or, Lt = 263.23(10-0.1 x 6)
Or, Lt= 66.12 mg/l

4. A sample of sewage has 4-day 20°C BOD value of as 70% of the ultimate BOD. Find the base 10 rate constant
K.

Solution
We have
BODt = yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given BOD4 = y4 =0.7 yu = 0.7 L0 ; t= 4 days

BOD4 = y4 = L0 (1 - 10-Kx4)

Or, 0.7L0 = L0 (1 - 10-Kx4)

Or, K = 0.131 per day

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5. If BOD3 at 150C is 220mg/l, find BOD7 at 250C.
Solution:
• BOD3=220mg/l at 150C BOD7=? at 250C
• Let K20= 0.1 day-1 (base 10)
• Now 𝐾 =𝐾 𝜃 = 0.1 × 1.135 = 0.053
• 𝑦 = 𝑙 1 − 10
• Put the value of t= 3 day, y3=220mg/l and K= 0.053 per day at 150C in above equation
. ×
• 220 = 𝑙 1 − 10
• 𝑙 = 717.61mg/l
• 𝐾 =𝐾 𝜃 = 0.1 × 1.056 = 0.131
• 𝑦 = 𝑙 1 − 10
• Put the value of t= 7 day, l0=717.61mg/l and K= 0. 131 per day at 250C in above equation
. ×
• 𝑦 = 717.61 1 − 10
• 7day BOD at 25 C, 𝑦 = 𝐵𝑂𝐷 = 𝟔𝟑𝟎. 𝟕𝟒𝒎𝒈/𝒍

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6. If the five-day BOD at 200C is 280 mg/l and one day,
BOD at 200C is 111.80 mg/l. Calculate the rate reaction
constant k at 200C and 7 day BOD at 250C.

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 Dividing equation (1) by equation (2) we get

• By hit and trial we get value of K=0.19 at 200C

Putting the value of K20 in equation (1), we get
( ∗ . )

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Now calculate K25 by using expression given
below
•

•
•
•

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7. The BOD of a sewage incubated for one day at 30°C has been found to be 120mg/l. What will be
the 5-day BOD at 20°C? Assume K = 0.12 per day at 20°C.
Solution
we have
KT =K20 𝜃 (T - 20)
Since the temperature range is 20° to 30°C, the value of 𝜃 may be taken as 1.056.
Given, K20 = 0.12 per day and T = 30°C
Thus by substitution, we get
K30 =0.12 x 1.056(30 - 20)
K30 = 0.207 per day
we have
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given, t = 1 day ; y1 = 120 mg/l at 30°C and K = 0.207 per day at 30°C
Thus by substitution, we get
120 = L0(1 – 10-0.207 x 1)
Or, 120 = L0(1 - 0.6207)
Or, L0 = 316.4 mg/l
This is the value of ultimate BOD which does not depend on temperature of incubation.

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Thus again applying equation for yt at 20°C, we
have
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given, t = 5 days ; K = 0.12 per day at 20°C; and L0
= 316.4 mg/ l.
Thus by substitution, we get
y5 = 316.4 (1 - 10-0.12 x 5)
y5= 316.4 (1 - 0.2512)
y5 = 236.9 mg/1
Thus BOD5 at 20°C = 236.9 mg/l (or ppm)

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8. A wastewater sample was incubated at 25℃ and the following observations were made: 5-day
BOD of sample= 200 mg/l, 11-day BOD sample= 268 mg/l. Calculate the 6 day BOD at 15 ℃.
Solution,
We have
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given, t = 5 day ; y5 = 200 mg/l at 25°C and K20
𝑡𝐾
y5= L0 (1 - 10- )
5𝐾
Or, 200= L0(1 - 10- )
200
Or, L0 (1 − 10− ) ………………………(1)
=

Again
Given, t = 11 day ; y5 = 268 mg/l at 25°C and K25
𝑡𝐾
y11= L0 (1 - 10- )
11𝐾
Or, 268= L0(1 - 10- )
putting value of L0 from (1)

200 11𝐾
Or, 268= (1 − 10− −
) 𝑥(1 − 10 )
Or, K25= 0.1015
And from equation (1)
L0= 290.19mg/l

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 KT =K20 𝜃 (T - 20)
Since the temperature range is 25° to 20°C, the value of 𝜃 may be taken as 1.056.
Given, K25 = 0.1015 per day and T = 25°C
Thus by substitution, we get
K25 =K20 x 1.056(25 - 20)
0.1015 = K20 x 1.056(25 - 20)
K20 = 0.0773 per day
Again,
KT =K20 𝜃 (T - 20)
Since the temperature range is 20°C to 15°C, the value of 𝜃 may be taken as 1.135
Given, K25 = 0.0773 per day and T = 15°C
Thus by substitution, we get
K15 =K20 x 1.056(T - 20)
Or, K15 = 0.0773 x 1.135(15 - 20)
K15 = 0.041 per day

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For 6 day BOD at 15
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given, t = 6 days ; K = 0.041 per day at 15°C;
and L0 = 290.197 mg/ l.
Thus by substitution, we get
y6 = 290.197 (1 - 10-0.041 x 6)
or, y6 = 125.49 mg/l
Thus BOD5 at 15°C = 125.49 mg/l (or ppm)

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9. For a sample of sewage 5-day BOD at 20℃ is 250mg/l and it is 67% of the ultimate BOD. What
will be its 4-day BOD at 30 ℃?
Solution
BOD5= y5 = L0 (1 - 10-5K)
Given y5= 250 mg/l at 20℃
also y5= 67% of L0
Therefore, L0=
.
Or, L0= = 373.1 𝑚𝑔/𝑙
.
Thus by substitution, we get
250= 373.1(1-10-5K)
0r, K= 0.0963 per day for 20℃

We know
KT =K20 𝜃(T - 20)
Since the temperature range is 20° to 30°C, the value of 𝜃 may be taken as 1.056
Given, K20 = 0.963 per day and T = 30°C
Thus by substitution, we get
K30 =0.963 x 1.056(30 - 20)
Or, K30= 0.166 per day

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Again,
yt = L0 (1 - 10-Kt)
Given, t = 4 days ; K = 0.166 per day at 30°C;
and L0 = 373.1 mg/ l.
Thus by substitution, we get
y4 = 373.1 (1 - 10-0.166 x 4)
y4= 373.1 (1 - 0.2168)
y4 = 292.2 mg/1
Thus BOD5 at 20°C = 236.9 mg/l (or ppm)

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10. The domestic sewage of a town was tested for total solids and follow results were obtained:
• Volume of sample of sewage = 1000 ml
• Weight of solids after evaporation of liquid = 0.905 gm
• Weight of dry residue after ignition = 0.462 gm
Determine in ppm (i) total solids, (ii) fixed solids, and (iii) volatile solids.
Solution:

(I) Total solids =

. ( )
Total solids = = 𝑥 1000
( )

Total solids = 905 mg/l = 905 ppm

(ii) Fixed solids

. ( )
Fixed solids = 𝑥 1000
( )

=462 mg/l = 462 ppm

(iii) Volatile solids

Volatile solids = (Total solids — Fixed solids)
Volatile solids = (905 — 462)
= 443 ppm

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11. The test of a sewage of a town for total solids indicated the following particulars.
• Weight of the dry crucible = 40gm
• Volume of sample taken =100ml
• Weight of crucible with residue obtained after evaporation = 40.068 gm
• Weight of crucible with dry residue obtained after ignition = 40.033 gm’
Determine (i) total solids, (ii) volatile solids, and (iii) fixed solids.

Solution
Volume of sample = 100 ml
Weight of dry crucible, W1 = 40.0 gm = 40000 mg
Weight of crucible with residue obtained after evaporation, W2 = 40.068 gm
=40068 mg
We have
Total solids = 𝑥 1000
Total solids = 𝑥 1000
Total solids = 680 mg/l= 680 ppm

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Weight of dry residue obtained after ignition
W3= 40.033 gm = 40033 mg

Volatile solids =
=
= 350 mg/l = 350 ppm

Fixed solids= Total solids in mg/l— Volatile solids in mg/I

= 680-350
= 330 mg/l = 330 ppm

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We have , BOD (mg / l) =
%

(a) Percentage dilution =

=1
DO of the diluted sample prior to incubation, DO1 = 8.7 mg/l
DO of the diluted sample at the end of incubation, DO2 = 4.7
mg/l
BOD (mg / l) =
%

BOD (mg / l) =

BOD (mg/l) = 400 mg/l

(b) 5-day BOD contained in 1.5 million liters of sewage
(Kg/lit ) x 1.5 x 106 (lit)
= 600 kg
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12. In a BOD test, 4 ml of raw sewage was
diluted to 400 ml and the DO concentration of
the diluted sample at the beginning of the test
was 8.7 mg/l and Of the end of 5 day incubation
at 20°C was 4.7 mg/l. Determine
(a)BOD5 raw sewage
(b)kg of 5-day BOD contained in 1.5 million liters
of sewage.
Solution:

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13. 4 ml of raw sewage was pipetted into a 300 ml
capacity BOD bottle which was then completely filled
with dilution water to dilute the sample. The DO
concentration of the diluted sample at the beginning of
the test was 9.5 mg/l and at the end of 5-day incubation
at 20°C was 6.5 mg/l. Find the BOD5 of raw sewage.
Solution

we have
BOD =
BOD =
BOD = 225 mg/l or ppm

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14. During BOD test conducted on a 5% dilution of sewage, the following observations were
taken:
i. DO of original undiluted sample of sewage = 0.9 mg/l
ii. DO of dilution water at the end of 5-day incubation at 20°C = 3.7 mg/l
iii. DO of diluted sample of sewage at the end of 5-day incubation at 20°C = 0.8 mg/l
Compute 5-day BOD

Solution
We have
DOb = dissolved oxygen values found in blank (containing dilution water only) at the end of 5-
day incubation at 20°C = 3.7 mg/l
DOi = dissolved oxygen values found in diluted sample at the end of 5-day incubation at 20°C
= 0.8 mg/l
DOs = dissolved oxygen originally present in undiluted sample =0.9 mg/l
Dilution percentage of mixture = 5%

BOD = 𝐷𝑂 − 𝐷𝑂 − 𝐷𝑂 − 𝐷𝑂
%

BOD = 3.7 − 0.8 𝑥 − 3.7 − 0.9

BOD = 55.2 mg/l

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 Population Equivalent

• The wastewater carried by the sewer consists of

domestic sewage and the industrial wastewater.
• Since, contribution of solids to sewage should be
nearly constant on a per capita basis, the BOD
contribution should also be constant.
• Generally, BOD contribution per capita per day
may be taken as 80 g/day.
• Industrial wastewaters are generally compared
with per capita domestic sewage, through the
concept of Population equivalent (PE) using per
capita BOD values as basis.

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Population Equivalent

• Population Equivalent (PE) of industrial sewage is the

measure of its characteristics ( BOD, total solid, etc.) in
compression with characteristics of standard domestic
sewage.
• It is a number expressing the ratio of the sum of the
pollution load produced during 24 hours by industrial
facilities and services to the individual pollution load in
household sewage produced by one person in the
same time.
Total of the industrial sewage per day
P.E. =
of domestic sewage

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1. Assuming per capita contribution of BOD as 80 gm. Find
population equivalent of a combined system serving 20000 people
and having 120 gm per capita daily BOD.

P.E. =
Total of the industrial sewage per day
of domestic sewage
P.E. = = 300000 persons

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2. Assuming per capita contribution suspended solids as 100 gm.
Find population equivalent of a industrial wastewater of 40000 l/d
having 2000 mg/l suspended solids.

Solution:
P.E. =
Total per day
domestic sewage
P.E. = = 800 persons

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Relative Stability
• Relative stability of wastewater is defined as
the ratio of available oxygen to the required
oxygen satisfying the first stage BOD.
• The available oxygen will include dissolved
oxygen (DO) as well as
oxygen present as nitrite or nitrate.
• It is expressed as % of total oxygen required.

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 Test for Relative Stability
The test for the relative stability is carried out in following steps:
i. The wastewater sample is filled in a glass- stoppered bottle and a small quantity of
methylene blue is added to it.
ii. The mixture is then incubated either at a temp of 20°C or 37°C.
iii. During the incubation period, the anaerobic bacteria start their function, the available
DO is consumed and 𝐻 S is produced which decolourise the mixture.
The time ‘t’ in days required for bleaching the blue color is noted.
iv. The relative stability is given by
SR = 100 (1- 𝟎. 𝟕𝟗𝟒𝒕𝟐𝟎 )
SR = 100 (1- 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟓𝒕𝟑𝟕 )
where,
t20 and t37 are the number of days of incubation at 20°C and 37°C respectively.

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1. In a test for relative stability, the period of incubation comes out to be 8 days.
Determine the relative stability if the test temperature is (a) 20 C (b) 37 C

Solution:
(a)Test temperature = 20 C
SR = 100 (1- ) = 100 (1- )
= 84.2 %
(b) Test temperature = 37 C
SR = 100 (1- ) = 100 (1- )
= 98.2 %

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NUMERICAL ON Relative Stability

1. A test is conducted to find the relative stability at

20 C. If period of incubation is 10 days to
decolorizes the mixture at that temperature.
Calculate the relative stability of the sample.
90.04%
2. A test is conducted to find the relative stability at
37 C. If period of incubation is 8 days to
decolorizes the mixture at that temperature.
Calculate the relative stability of the sample.
98.2%
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