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FROM THE FIELD
Headnote
Use a creative analogy to help new operators understand biochemical oxygen demand
When new operators are introduced to the concept of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), they readily grasp the concept of the BOD test and the required dilutions. They also understand the curve relating oxygen consumed to the time elapsed in a BOD test and how nitrification affects oxygen consumption.
However, some new operators are mystified about the relationship of BOD and suspended solids, especially when the relationship is applied to primary treatment. Given a problem...