UviLux BOD Indicator For Real Time Effluent Monitoring

Water Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring ConferenceThe UviLux BOD Indicator enables in-situ, real-time, reporting of BOD within both natural water systems and water processing plants. The monitor detects fluorescent proteins that are inherent within sewage and slurry and provides an output in BOD equivalent units. The principle behind the measurement is the excitation of Tryptophan-like fluorescence within UV wavelength band, which has been shown to correlate with both BOD and bacterial contamination.

The use of fluorescence provides signal detection sensitivity far superior to optical absorption methods currently in use, while the real-time reporting of BOD equivalence enables the measurement to be used for process control, which is not possible with conventional 5 day BOD laboratory techniques.

"For the past two years we have been collaborating very successfully with Dr Darren Reynolds, Associate Professor in Bio-Sensing Research at the University of the West of England and recognised authority in the use of fluorescence measurements for water quality monitoring, to both evaluate and optimise our UviLux fluorometers for BOD monitoring and other applications in the water industry," reports Dr Attridge.

The UviLux BOD Indicator can be applied to a number of processes within both water supply and water recovery processes to assist in the assessment of loading and efficacy. Applications within Waste Water Treatment Works include monitoring primary and secondary stages as well as final effluent monitoring prior to release from the plant. The UviLux BOD Indicator can be used to assess loading to the WWT site from abstracted waters as well as assessment of recycled waters within the plant.

In both applications the real-time BOD data obtained from the sensor can be used to implement energy saving adjustments to the processes. Outside the treatment works the UviLux BOD Indicator can be applied in assessing and locating cross-over of Grey and Black Water pipes and open water courses.

We are delighted to be participating in WWEM 2012 (Water, Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring Conference & Workshops) starting tomorrow in Telford. If you plan on attending Dr John Attridge and Justin Dunning would love to see you on Stand No 88. They will also be hosting a workshop on "Innovative fluorescence techniques used to monitor effluent & related environmental parameters" on Wed 7th - there are still places so why not register to attend!