Abstract
The influent COD of municipal wastewater has been divided into 4 fractions; readily soluble biodegradable, slowly particulate biodegradable, soluble and particulate unbiodegradable COD. The mathematical modeling of biological wastewater treatment processes and the design and operation of nutrient removal plants require a reliable and accurate estimate of the composition of influent wastewater COD. COD utilization rate is proportional to the oxygen uptake rate(OUR), so a batch biodegradation test with OUR measurement has been effectively used for the determination of COD fractionation. But the mathematical model of COD utilization and heterotrophs synthesis is essential to interpret the OUR measurement. Mamais method is another method for determining readily biodegradable soluble COD. Like the OUR test method, batch biodegradation test is necessary but it does not require mathematical model. These two methods for determining COD fractionation are introduced here in detail. Experimental results showed that COD composition by Mamais method is not different to that by OUR test method so, either of them can be used.