Theoretical oxygen demand
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Theoretical Oxygen Demand is the calculated amount of oxygen required to oxidize a compound to its final oxidation products. However, there are some differences between standard methods that can influence the results obtained: for example, some calculations assume that nitrogen released from organics is generated as ammonia, whereas others allow for ammonia oxidation to nitrate. Therefore in expressing results, the calculation assumptions should always be stated.
Inorder to determine the ThOD for glycine (CH2 (NH2 )COOH) using the following assumptions:
- In the first step, the organic carbon and nitrogen are converted to carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and ammonia (NH3 ), respectively.
- In the second and third steps, the ammonia is oxidized sequentially to nitrite and nitrate.
- The ThOD is the sum of the oxygen required for all three steps.
We can calculate by following steps:
- 1. Write balanced reaction for the carbonaceous oxygen demand.
- CH2(NH2)COOH + 1.502 ----->NH3 + 2CO2 + H2 0
- 2. Write balanced reactions for the nitrogenous oxygen demand.
- NH3 + 1.502 -----> HNO2 + H20
- HNO2 + 0.5O2 -----> HNO3
- NH3 + 2O2 -----> HNO3 + H2O
- 3. Determine the ThOD.
- ThOD= (1.5 + 2) mol O2/mol glycine
- = 3.5 mol O2/mol glycine X 32 g/mol O2 X 43 g/mol glycine
- = 2.6 g O2/g glycine
- ThOD= (1.5 + 2) mol O2/mol glycine