Development of a membrane respirometer

The respirometric technique relies upon reoxygenation of a wastewater sample through a quality controlled polyethylene membrane. The fluid sample is surrounded by a low density polyethylene membrane permeable to oxygen and the sample is stirred in the respirometer. In studies the DO saturation concentration of the sample in the respirometer was experimentally determined. The respirometer was initially standardized and the rate of oxygen transfer was estimated. The experimental data was fitted to Fickʹs linear law of diffusion, using a quality controlled polyethylene membrane, the rate of oxygen transfer was found to be reproducible. In oxygen uptake studies, DO vs time recorder plots were obtained. The course of oxygen uptake is depicted and a complete fingerprint of the course of oxidation of the organic contents in the wastewater may be obtained.