Lohan Tech LH-BOD301 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) Analyzer

Overview

The Lohan Tech LH-BOD301 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅) Analyzer is a laboratory-grade, manometric pressure-difference based instrument engineered for precise, mercury-free determination of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand in water and wastewater samples. It operates on the principle of measuring the differential gas pressure generated by microbial respiration within a sealed BOD bottle—where dissolved oxygen consumption is stoichiometrically correlated to CO₂ production, and the resultant pressure drop across an alkaline absorbent (e.g., KOH or NaOH) is quantified via high-stability micro-pressure transducers. This method eliminates mercury-based manometers and complies fully with HJ 505–2009 (Chinese Environmental Protection Standard) and ISO 9408:1999 (Water quality — Determination of biochemical oxygen demand after 5 days — BOD₅). Designed for regulatory compliance and routine QC/QA workflows, the LH-BOD301 delivers traceable, reproducible results under controlled incubation conditions (20 ± 1 °C), supporting environmental monitoring labs, municipal treatment facilities, and academic research institutions.

Key Features

• Independent test-cap architecture: Each cap functions as a self-contained micro-analyzer with integrated CR-P2 lithium battery, enabling uninterrupted operation during brief power interruptions and eliminating dependency on continuous mains supply.
• Configurable incubation protocol: User-defined test duration (1–30 days), temperature stabilization delay (1–10 hours), and automatic data logging at user-specified intervals.
• Wide dynamic range: 0–4000 mg/L BOD₅ with eight programmable sampling volume options (e.g., 2 mL to 300 mL), enabling direct BOD concentration readout without manual dilution factor calculation.
• On-cap visualization: 1.5-inch monochrome OLED display shows real-time pressure differential, calculated BOD value, elapsed time, battery status, and trend curve—accessible without external hardware.
• Integrated electromagnetic stirring: Built-in stirrer ensures homogeneous microbial suspension and consistent oxygen transfer throughout incubation; LED indicators provide immediate visual feedback on power and stirrer status.
• Modular hardware design: Compact main unit (≤280 × 220 × 150 mm) supports benchtop or field-deployable use; no external gas cylinders, vacuum pumps, or mercury columns required.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LH-BOD301 accepts standard 300-mL BOD bottles (glass or PET) conforming to ASTM D5210 and ISO 5815–1. Sample types include raw and treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater, and industrial effluents—with appropriate dilution and nitrification inhibition (e.g., allylthiourea) applied per HJ 505–2009 requirements. All consumables—including pre-calibrated BOD bottle caps, magnetic stir bars, reagent cups, pH indicator strips (pH 6.4–7.6), and standardized nutrient buffer tablets—are supplied in certified kits compliant with GLP documentation standards. The instrument’s pressure transducer calibration is traceable to NIM (National Institute of Metrology, China), and system validation reports support audit readiness for CNAS-accredited laboratories.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and analysis are supported via a dedicated Bluetooth-enabled iOS/Android application. The app enables secure, role-based account management (admin/operator/viewer tiers), real-time remote monitoring of up to 16 concurrent test caps, synchronized timestamped data export (CSV/Excel), and overlay comparison of multiple BOD kinetic curves. Audit trails record all parameter changes, user logins, and result modifications—meeting minimum requirements for FDA 21 CFR Part 11–aligned electronic records in regulated environments. Raw pressure vs. time datasets are retained locally on-device and synchronized only upon user confirmation, preserving data sovereignty and network security.

Applications

• Regulatory compliance testing for municipal wastewater discharge permits (e.g., China’s “Discharge Standards of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants” GB 18918–2002)
• Process control in activated sludge, MBR, and SBR treatment systems
• BOD/COD ratio assessment for biodegradability screening of industrial effluents
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA) baseline studies and post-remediation verification
• Academic research on microbial kinetics, biofilm oxygen uptake, and inhibitor toxicity assays
• Method validation and inter-laboratory comparison studies aligned with ISO/IEC 17043 proficiency testing schemes

FAQ

What incubation temperature must be maintained for BOD₅ testing?
Standard BOD₅ analysis requires strict thermal control at 20 ± 1 °C for exactly five days, as defined in HJ 505–2009 and ISO 9408:1999. The LH-BOD301 does not include an integrated incubator; users must place test bottles in a certified, calibrated BOD incubator.
Is nitrification inhibition required for all samples?
Yes—unless specifically analyzing nitrogenous BOD (NBOD), sodium azide or allylthiourea must be added prior to incubation to suppress nitrifying bacteria, ensuring measurement reflects carbonaceous BOD (CBOD) only.
How is the pressure-difference signal converted to BOD concentration?
The instrument applies the ideal gas law and stoichiometric O₂:CO₂ equivalence (1:1 molar ratio) to calculate consumed oxygen mass from measured pressure decline, then normalizes to sample volume and incubation time using built-in algorithms per HJ 505–2009 Annex A.
Can the LH-BOD301 be used for BOD₇ or extended incubation protocols?
Yes—the device supports configurable durations from 1 to 30 days, enabling BOD₇, BOD₁₀, or ultimate BOD (BOD_u) studies, though reporting must explicitly state non-standard incubation periods per ISO 5815–2.
Are calibration certificates and metrological verification documents available?
All units ship with factory calibration reports traceable to NIM reference standards; optional on-site verification and annual recalibration services are available through Lohan Tech’s authorized service centers in APAC and EMEA regions.