1. What is COD to BOD Conversion?

The calculator converts Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) using an approximate conversion factor. While these are different water quality parameters, a rough estimate can be made as BOD is typically about 60% of COD for many types of wastewater.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple conversion formula:

Where:

• \( BOD \) — Biochemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L)
• \( COD \) — Chemical Oxygen Demand (mg/L)
• \( 0.6 \) — Approximate conversion factor

Note: This is an approximate conversion and actual ratios can vary significantly (0.1-0.9) depending on wastewater characteristics.

3. Importance of BOD and COD

Details: Both BOD and COD measure organic pollution in water. BOD measures oxygen consumed by microorganisms, while COD measures oxygen equivalent of organic matter oxidized by a strong chemical oxidant.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter COD value in mg/L. The calculator will estimate BOD. Remember this is only an approximation - for accurate results, actual BOD testing should be performed.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the COD to BOD conversion?
A: It varies by wastewater type. The 0.6 factor is a general estimate - actual ratios can range from 0.1 to 0.9 depending on biodegradability.

Q2: When is this conversion useful?
A: When quick estimates are needed or when only COD data is available. Not suitable for regulatory or precise engineering applications.

Q3: What affects the COD/BOD ratio?
A: Biodegradability of organic matter, presence of toxic substances, and wastewater source (domestic vs industrial).

Q4: Why measure both BOD and COD?
A: BOD indicates biodegradable organics, while COD measures total oxidizable organics. The ratio provides insight into wastewater treatability.

Q5: Are there better conversion methods?
A: For specific wastewater streams, site-specific correlation curves can be developed for more accurate conversions.