Electrochemical method for detection and quantification of organic compounds in water

Abstract

Method and system for detection and quantification of oxidizable organics in water. The method involves the partial electrolytic decomposition of the oxidizable organics in a short time frame, preferably less than five seconds, and does not involve the use of toxic reagents. The system includes an electrochemical sensor probe that, in turn, includes a boron-doped diamond microelectrode array. The system additionally includes an electronic transducer and a computing device. The system utilizes an analysis technique to convert sensor signal to a result that can be correlated with COD or BOD values obtained by standard methods. The method and system are particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use in monitoring of water quality at wastewater treatment plants. By employing the method before and after adding aerobic microorganisms to the sample, the method may be used to distinguish biologically oxidizable organics from total oxidizable organics.

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