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Abstract

An apparatus is provided for rapidly determining the biochemical oxidation demand (BOD) of a liquid at an on-site location. The apparatus includes a cell body member having a vertically extensive plunger chamber formed therein and a sample holding chamber communicating therewith, a dissolved oxygen sensor for generating a signal in proportion to the amount of dissolved oxygen content in a liquid sample and a culture medium disposed in the sample holding chamber, and a tubular plunger member extensive into the plunger chamber for supporting the dissolved oxygen sensor such that the dissolved oxygen sensor extends into the sample chamber and into contact with the liquid sample and the culture medium. A temperature control assembly, which includes a thermocouple, an internal heat sink element, and a Peltier cell device, is supported by the cell body member such that the internal heat sink element is in close proximity to the sample holding chamber and cooperates with the Peltier cell device for selectively heating and cooling the culture medium and liquid sample in order to maintain same at a predetermined temperature. A computer, programmed to monitor the temperature of the culture medium and the liquid sample via input signals from the thermocouple and provide control signals to the Peltier cell device to maintain the temperature of the culture medium and liquid sample at a substantially constant value, is also programmed to interpret signals from the dissolved oxygen sensor so that the biochemical oxidation demand (BOD) of the liquid sample can be determined.

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First Claim