Aqua Diagnostic Announces New Green Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Analyzer
South Melbourne, Australia — Aqua Diagnostic have invented a revolutionary green technology COD analyzer capable of real-time accurate and sensitive (ppb) analysis. This new green technology utilises no hazardous chemicals and enables COD to be determined in minutes across a broad spectrum of variable matrix streams including sea water. The PeCOD™ COD analyzers combine fully automated capabilities and reliable operation to provide users the economic benefit of real-time process control and environmental monitoring.
Aqua Diagnostic was incorporated in 2005 to commercialize technology developed in the School of Environmental and Applied Sciences at Griffith University, Australia. They continue to sponsor on-going research into the PeCOD technology to support future product innovation. The Aqua Diagnostic business mission is to become an international supplier of innovative analysis technologies.
Aqua Diagnostic has developed a unique commercial analyzer that incorporates Photo-electrochemical Oxidative Degradation that measures photo-current charge originating from the oxidization of organic species contained in a sample. This new technology is able to photo-electrochemically generate an electrical signal that directly correlates, via mass balance, with the oxidizable organic species contained in natural or waste-water samples. The core of the technology is the ability of the UV-activated nano-particulate photocatalyst semi-conductive electrode to create a high oxidation potential which ensures complete oxidation of all oxidizable organic species, and the ability to capture and measure the resultant photo-current.
PeCOD technology offers capabilities beyond the traditional chemical and matrix dependent UV technologies. Photoelectrochemical technology provides a COD reading by counting every electron that is liberated during the oxidation of organics. This new technology allows detection down to ppb levels and through field testing has proven that is can operate in sea water. It is widely accepted that sugars and alcohols are not measureable using UV due to their bond structure. The PeCOD can be used to determine the amount of methanol in waste water treatment plants – proving to be a valuable tool to optimize their operation.
Unlike traditional chemical technologies that take hours and use hazardous chemicals and/or acids to digest the organics, PeCOD takes just minutes. It utilises the titanium dioxide sensor to oxidize the organics – making it a clean, green and safe technology.
The PeCOD COD analyzer provides information about the oxidative load of the carbon which underlies the environmental impact of the organic compounds. This information is crucial to understanding the biogeochemical processes requisite to an accurate BOD determination. Other technologies such as TOC only provide information about the carbon present in the sample. The PeCOD COD analyzer has been used to determine BOD5 concentrations though COD readings obtained in a brewery, sugar mill and sugar refinery.
The PeCOD COD analyzer utilises the same technology across all platforms ensuring consistent transparent results from field to process and into the laboratory – making it a truly flexible technology.
For more information visit www.aquadiagnostic.com
SOURCE: Aqua Diagnotsic