BOD Load Calculator
Result
BOD Load: 0 kg/day
Understanding BOD Load Calculation
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) load is a crucial parameter in water quality assessment and wastewater treatment. It represents the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.
What is BOD Load?
BOD load measures the total quantity of organic matter in wastewater, expressed in kilograms per day (kg/day). It helps environmental engineers and wastewater treatment plants determine the treatment capacity needed.
BOD Load Formula
The formula to calculate BOD load is:
BOD Load (kg/day) = BOD Concentration (mg/L) × Flow Rate (m³/day) ÷ 1000
BOD Concentration
BOD concentration is typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) and represents the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms during the decomposition of organic matter in a water sample over 5 days at 20°C.
Flow Rate
Flow rate is the volume of wastewater passing through a system per unit time, measured in cubic meters per day (m³/day) for this calculation.
Practical Applications
- Designing wastewater treatment plants
- Assessing pollution levels in water bodies
- Monitoring industrial discharge compliance
- Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment processes
Example Calculation
For a wastewater sample with BOD of 250 mg/L and flow rate of 500 m³/day:
BOD Load = 250 mg/L × 500 m³/day ÷ 1000 = 125 kg/day
Importance in Environmental Engineering
BOD load calculations are essential for:
- Determining treatment plant sizing
- Assessing environmental impact
- Complying with regulatory standards
- Optimizing treatment processes