LimsPulse
Environmental monitoring

COD Digestion Reactor

A dry heating block that holds sealed glass tubes at 150 °C for two hours so that potassium dichromate can oxidise the organic matter in water and wastewater samples. It is the heart of the closed reflux COD test.

  • Environmental testing laboratories
  • Municipal water and wastewater utilities
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical effluent treatment
  • Food and beverage processing
  • Textile, pulp and paper, and distilleries
Illustration of COD Digestion Reactor
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Maintenance checklist

Daily / each use

  • Check the block reaches 150 °C
  • Wipe up any spills on the block surface after it has cooled
  • Inspect tube wells for debris or glass fragments

Monthly

  • Block temperature check with a calibrated thermometer in several wells
  • Check timer accuracy against a stopwatch
  • Inspect power cord and safety cover

Six-monthly / annual

  • Full temperature uniformity check across all wells
  • Calibration of the built-in sensor by a qualified service provider
  • Electrical safety check
SAFETY

Safety precautions

Before you work on the COD digester
  • Digestion reagents contain potassium dichromate (carcinogenic hexavalent chromium), mercuric sulphate (toxic) and concentrated sulphuric acid (corrosive).
  • Wear a lab coat, acid-resistant gloves and a face shield when filling and mixing tubes.
  • Keep the safety shield closed during digestion and let tubes cool before handling.
  • Collect spent digests as hazardous waste containing chromium, mercury and silver; never pour down the drain.
  • Keep a spill kit with an acid neutraliser nearby.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every COD digester in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how