Automated dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand analyzer

• Main Author: ZELINKA; GREGORY A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.07.1996
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TESTING

An automated method and apparatus for determining the dissolved oxygen (DO) content and the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of multiple test samples includes a sample set containing several test sample containers, a robotic arm capable of motion toward the sample set, DO probes releasibly attached to the robotic arm, and a programmable computer interfaced with the robotic arm and controlling the robotic arm. To measure the DO of test samples within the test sample containers, DO probes (which are connected to respective DO meters) are positioned adjacent a set of test sample containers and inserted within, the DO meters determine the DO within the test sample containers, the DO values are recorded by use of a programmable computer, and the DO probes are then removed from the set of test sample containers. The BOD may then be calculated by sealing the set of test sample containers, incubating the set of test sample containers for a predetermined time period, removing the seals on the set of test sample containers, and repeating the DO measurement to obtain a final DO. The BOD values of the test samples may then be calculated using the initial and final DO values.