YSI BOD Analyst User Manual
User Manual
BOD ANALYST PRO
Software for BOD Testing
Easy • Efficient • Accurate
Windows® XP • Windows® Vista • Windows® 7
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CONTENTS
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 5
1.1 INSTALLING YSI BOD ANALYST SOFTWARE ON YOUR PC ............................................................ 5
1.2 COMMUNICATING WITH THE YSI DO INSTRUMENTS ................................................................... 12
1.3 QUICK START GUIDE ................................................................................................................... 14
SECTION 2 SAMPLES ......................................................................................................................... 22
2.1 WHAT IS A "SAMPLE?" ................................................................................................................. 22
2.2 USING SAMPLE SETUP ................................................................................................................. 24
2.3 ADDING A NEW SAMPLE .............................................................................................................. 24
2.4 CHANGING A SAMPLE .................................................................................................................. 26
2.5 NAMING SAMPLES ....................................................................................................................... 27
2.6 DELETING A SAMPLE ................................................................................................................... 28
SECTION 3 SEEDING SAMPLES ...................................................................................................... 29
3.1 WHY SEED? ................................................................................................................................. 29
3.2 SEED CONTROL SAMPLE .............................................................................................................. 29
3.3 SEEDING METHODS ..................................................................................................................... 30
SECTION 4 SAMPLE GROUPS .......................................................................................................... 32
4.1 WHAT IS A "SAMPLE GROUP"? .................................................................................................... 32
4.2 THE GROUP SETUP FORM ............................................................................................................ 32
4.3 ADDING A GROUP AND CHOOSING SAMPLES ................................................................................ 33
4.4 EDITING A GROUP ........................................................................................................................ 33
4.5 DELETING A GROUP ..................................................................................................................... 33
SECTION 5 BATCHES ......................................................................................................................... 34
5.1 WHAT IS A "BATCH?" .................................................................................................................. 34
5.2 LOADING A BATCH ...................................................................................................................... 35
5.3 THE BUILD BATCH FORM ............................................................................................................ 37
5.4 WORKING WITH BATCHES ........................................................................................................... 38
5.5 THE BENCH SHEET ........................................................................................................................ 41
5.6 READING INITIAL DO’S ............................................................................................................... 43
5.7 ADD A BOTTLE TO THE BATCH ............................................................................................... 44
5.8 ADD A SAMPLE TO THE BATCH .................................................................................................... 45
5.9 MARKING A BOTTLE .................................................................................................................... 47
5.10 UNMARKING A BOTTLE ............................................................................................................... 47
5.11 MANUAL CHECK ..................................................................................................................... 47
5.12 FIELD DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................................................... 47
5.13 COLUMN DESCRIPTIONS .............................................................................................................. 48
5.14 DELETING A BOTTLE .................................................................................................................... 49
SECTION 6 TAKING INITIAL DO READINGS .............................................................................. 50
6.1 ENTERING BOTTLE NUMBERS ...................................................................................................... 50
6.2 AUTO STABILIZATION .................................................................................................................. 54
6.3 ALARMS ....................................................................................................................................... 55
6.4 DERIVED INITIAL DOS ................................................................................................................. 56
6.5 CORRECTING MISTAKES .............................................................................................................. 57
SECTION 7 TAKING FINAL DO READINGS ................................................................................. 59
7.1 SELECTING A BATCH ................................................................................................................... 59
7.2 TAKING A FINAL READING ............................................................................................................ 60
7.3 CORRECTING MISTAKES .............................................................................................................. 64
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SECTION 8 KEEPING YOUR DATA SAFE ..................................................................................... 65
8.1 DATE ........................................................................................................................................... 65
8.2 HARDCOPIES ................................................................................................................................ 65
8.3 UNDERSTANDING DATA FILES ..................................................................................................... 65
8.4 BACKUP ....................................................................................................................................... 68
SECTION 9 GRAPHING AND DATA EXPORT ................................................................................. 69
9.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 69
9.2 SET UP AND PRINT A GRAPH .......................................................................................................... 70
9.3 EXPORT SAMPLE DATA ................................................................................................................. 73
9.4 STATISTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT SAMPLES ............................................................................. 75
SECTION 10 CUSTOMIZING YOUR PROGRAM ............................................................................ 77
10.1 THE BARCODE SCANNER ............................................................................................................. 77
10.2 AUTO-STABILIZATION .................................................................................................................. 77
10.3 THE CRITERIA FORM.................................................................................................................... 78
10.4 THE GENERAL SETTINGS FORM ................................................................................................... 86
10.5 THE YSI PARAMETERS FORM ...................................................................................................... 88
10.6 THE COMMUNICATIONS SETUP FORM .......................................................................................... 90
10.7 SERIAL NUMBERS ........................................................................................................................ 92
SECTION 11 CONTACT INFORMATION ..................................................................................... 94
SECTION 12 ACCESSORIES ................................................................................................................ 95
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SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
BOD Analyst Pro® software is PC Windows-based application software designed for use with
YSI dissolved oxygen instrument systems. Using a serial interface the user defines parameters in
the BOD Analyst Pro software that establishes two-way communication between instrument and
PC. At the user’s command the software can acquire DO readings from the instrument, match
initial and final DO readings, and perform appropriate calculations related to dilutions, seed
correction, and other relevant factors. The software also allows the user to set test criteria, make
notes, generate a report (bench sheet), plot data, and export data files. All data and information
are securely stored in an MS Access Database.
The software also allows you to manually enter initial and final DO readings with instruments
that are not connected to a computer. The program then completes the calculations much like a
spreadsheet approach.
The program is easy to learn and use. Initial use requires less than an hour to set up. Setup
includes installing the program on your PC, establishing communication with the YSI dissolved
oxygen instrument, and configuring the system for your application. Once set up you will need
just a few minutes each day to define exactly what you intend to do for that day whether it is
building a new batch or reading final DO readings of an existing batch.
1.1 INSTALLING YSI BOD ANALYST SOFTWARE ON YOUR PC
1. Close all application programs that are currently running.
2. Place the BOD Analyst Pro software CD in your CD-ROM drive. The setup program will
begin. If the setup program does not start, use the Window’s Start icon, click on Run and
locate the setup.exe file on your CD. Double click on this filename to run setup.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen and the installation program displays the following box,
or one very similar:
4. Click R
un to proceed.
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The installation program will display the following screen. Please wait momentarily for the
computer to initialize the installation.
The installation program prompts you to follow instructions on the screen to complete the
installation. The next screen will display the locations of the default directories. Click Next >> to
accept these locations, or use the Browse… icon to change locations if you prefer.
After clicking on Next >> the first of two license agreements will appear. Read the agreement
and then click on “I accept the license agreement.” Click on Next >> and repeat this procedure
on the second license agreement. Both license agreement screens are shown below.
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The next screen will indicate what is about to be installed. Click Next >> to formally start the
installation.
A status screen will appear next as shown below. The installation process may take a few minutes
depending on the speed of your PC. Once installation is complete a confirmation screen appears
to verify completion. Both progress and completion screens are shown below.
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To complete the installation process you will be prompted to restart your computer. Click R
estart
or one of the other options before running the BOD Analyst Pro software.
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A BOD Analyst Pro icon will appear on your Desktop upon restarting your computer. Double
click the icon to start the program. Alternatively, you may use the Window’s Start icon in the
bottom tray. BOD Analyst Pro will be listed in the Programs menu.
IMPORTANT:
YSI BOD Analyst Pro requires installation of .NET Framework version 3.5 or lower on
your PC in order to run properly. The .NET Framework is an application development platform
that allows software developers to create a range of Windows applications and services.
Programming languages can be made to interact with other programming languages without the
need to worry about finer details like memory management, etc. A .NET application also runs
inside its own virtual machine which enhances security in running this application.
Verify that your PC has .NET Framework installed. Check Control Panel / Add/Remove
Programs on your PC to see if Microsoft .Net Framework version 3.5 or lower is installed.
Visit Microsoft.com if installation is required. An older version of .NET can be installed on
your PC if you have a new version.
Your program is now successfully installed on your computer and ready to be connected to your
DO instrument, however, you may want to review some of the functionality of BOD Analyst Pro
to become familiar with the program. See Section 1.1.1 for more information. In particular open
the setup menu related to communication settings.
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1.1.1 STARTING THE PROGRAM
Double click on the Desktop BOD Analyst Pro software icon that was set up in the installation
program.
You should see the BOD Analyst Pro software Bench Sheet screen (Figure 1). This is the main
screen from which all functions will be accessed and all results and most information will appear.
BOD Analyst
Figure 1. Bench Sheet Screen
The menu structure is simple and icons on the Bench Sheet provide fast access to locating and
loading batches, initiating new samples or bottles, building new batches, checking criteria and
providing relevant information in various labeled fields. Much more detail of functionality will be
described in appropriate sections of the manual but for now open the Setup menu /
Communication Setup submenu.
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Submenu Displays
File | New | Open | Archive | Print Bench Sheet | Exit |
Read* | Initial | Final | Retake Initial | Retake Final | Explain |
Setup | Samples | Groups | Criteria | General | YSI Instrument | Facility |
Communication Setup | Serial Numbers |
Trending | Graph |
Help | Search Help | About |
*Initial, Final, and Retakes should not be active when reviewing data on dates other than pre-assigned “read dates”.
Figure 2. Top Line Menus and Submenu (Communication Setup)
You are now ready to connect your PC to your YSI DO instrument and establish communication.
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1. 2 COMMUNICATING WITH THE YSI DO INSTRUMENTS
YSI BOD Analyst Pro software was designed to directly communicate with each of the following
instruments: YSI 52, 5000, 5100, ProODO
will need an available Comm port or USB port on your PC and the appropriate serial cable or
USB cable to connect PC to instrument. Once your connection is complete the BOD Analyst Pro
software can test and verify proper communication setup. First establish your connection and
second verify communication. Your connection hardware depends on which instrument system
you are using. These connections are discussed next.
YSI 52 and YSI 5000/5100 Systems
The YSI 52 and 5000/5100 each have a 9-pin serial port. The RS232 cable is provided with each
instrument or BOD software purchase. If your PC does not have a 9-pin serial port or the 9-pin
serial port is used for another application you may use an available USB serial port. This will
require a USB/9-pin serial adapter. Many are available commercially but if you can not locate one
for use on your PC that is compatible with your operating system contact YSI Technical Support.
TIP – Many USB/serial converters require driver software. The
driver is typically stored on CD with the converter or available as a
download from the manufacturer’s web site.
YSI ProODO and YSI Professional Plus Systems
YSI designed the ProPlus and ProODO instruments to accommodate a “communication saddle”
and USB cable that is included with each instrument. No tools are required for installation.
Simply snap the “saddle” into place on the rear of the handheld instrument. The serial cable
terminates in USB connectors for fast, easy connection. Use any available USB serial port on
your PC. YSI provides free Data Manager Software with a Pro-series system. YSI Data Manager
software includes the drivers for serial communication. Driver software is also included with each
BOD Analyst Pro CD if you opt not to install Data Manager Software on your PC. Refer to the
Pro Series manual or contact YSI Technical Support if you need more information.
MultiLab instruments
The MultiLab instruments connect to the PC with the supplied USB cable. If using the 2 or 3
channel instruments, make sure the IDS OBOD probe is connected to channel 1. See the
instrument manual for more information.
Test Communication between PC and DO Instrument
From the main screen of BOD Analyst Pro click on Setup and then submenu Communication
Setup. The Communication Settings screen appears (see below). Do the following:
1. Select the instrument name from Select Instrument Type field using the arrow keys. The
default communication settings are automatically configured for you.
2. Click on List Active Ports to open a list of Comm ports in use. One of the listed ports will be
identifiable as the connection between the YSI instrument and the PC.
3. Click on the arrow next to the Comm Port field and select the appropriate I/O Comm Port
for the serial connection. For example, COM5 is shown in the example below.
4. Make sure the YSI 52 or YSI 5000/5100 is in Remote Mode
there is no need to select remote mode. Data from the instrument screen will be read. If using
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, Professional Plus® or the MultiLab instrument. You
. If using a Pro-series instrument
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a 4010-2 or 4010-3 make sure the OBOD probe is connected to channel 1, see instrument
manual.
5. Click Test Instrument Communication. A successful connection will return a message
showing relevant data or information from the instrument. If the connection is not properly
set an error code will return with possible causes listed.
Refer to figures below showing the communication screens. In the first example a ProODO
system was set up successfully communicating via PC port COM5. Note that COM5 has an
accurate description of the communication source, YSI Professional Series Instrument. The Test
Communication return indicates a meaningful return message from the ProODO.
In the examples below note the PC screen returns when the YSI 5100 communication was not
placed in remote mode (left) and when the 5100 was successfully configured (right).
With BOD Analyst Pro software installed and instrument communication successfully configured
now refer to the “Quick Start” instructions in the next section. Note – it is not necessary to
communicate directly with BOD Analyst Pro with your YSI instrument to use the program.
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1.3 QUICK START GUIDE
Once you install BOD Analyst Pro on your PC, make connections and communicate properly
with your DO instrument, you may find the steps below useful to quickly setup and run a batch of
samples. These steps are listed mainly to introduce you to the program. Please read the entire user
manual for better understanding of the many features available for your BOD application.
1. Verify that the Data Directory (path) is correct. The default directory path is
C:\BOD\DATA\DATA.MDB as shown in the upper left corner of the Bench Sheet. This is
the data path that will be used in this example. See Page 6 above for reference.
2. Enter facility information under Setup / Facility. This information will be printed as part
of the Bench Sheet. All fields will be empty by default. Enter relevant information or any
information as part of Quick Start. This will affect the look of the printed bench sheet.
3. Review BOD Analyst Pro default settings. When you first use the software some settings
will be defaulted to the commonly used settings. For example, the bottle volume is set to be
300 ml and dilution will be in ml. You may want to review these settings before you start and
change some to fit your needs. The following figures summarize all settings and options
available. Tip strips appear when you hover the mouse over the parameter description; the
tips provide information such as numerical limits.
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If box checked the parameter is turned ON. Blank is OFF.
TIP – □ OFF/ON
General Settings (Setup / General)
TIP – Tip Strips provide information related to each setting.
YSI Instrument Parameters (Setup / YSI Instrument)
BOD Criteria (Setup / Criteria)
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Serial Number Setup (Setup / Serial Number)
Serial numbers give each bottle a unique ID; in the batch and over time.
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4. Set up Samples. By default BOD Analyst Pro has three entries in the Sample Setup. They
are DilBlank (dilution blank), Seed, and Standard (e.g., GGA Standard). Open each sample
field to gain familiarity.
Locate the bottom left field and change the Standard Sample from “No Seeding” to “Seed”
and enter “2” for ml of seed to each bottle.
Next create two new samples using the Add New icon. Name one Influent
dilutions (bottles) at 8, 10, and 12 milliliters. Name the second sample Effluent
and configure 3
and configure
3 dilutions (bottles) at 75, 100 and 150 ml. Designate both samples with 2 ml of seed each.
One example screen is shown below for reference. This is the new sample named Influent.
See Section 2 and Section 3 to learn more about defining Samples and Seeding Samples,
respectively.
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5. Set up a Batch (Build Batch). From the Bench Sheet screen click on the Calendar icon,
select today’s date, and confirm by clicking Use This Date. The date will appear in the
Sample Date field.
Now click on the Build Batch icon near the center
of the screen. The Build Batch appears without
entries in the bench sheet table. However, the
defined Samples will appear in the field labeled
Choose Samples. Many samples can be listed here
but in the quick start example just five (5) samples
were configured.
Continue by double clicking on each sample from
the list that you want added to your batch table.
Add all 5 samples to the batch. If later you decide
the order of samples listed needs to be changed
click on the specific Sample Name (in the table) that you want to move and use the arrow
icons on the right to organize the batch to your preference. You may also Delete individual
samples or Clear the entire batch from the setup table.
Notice that there is a field named Choose Group. The Group function allows you to create
batches that may be used frequently and then you can build a batch with one click. A Group
was not created in the Quick Start section. For more information on creating Groups and
building Batches see Section 4 and Section 5, respectively.
Once the batch is built you click OK. The Batch you created will appear on the main screen
(Bench Sheet). In this example there are 5 Samples consisting of 13 bottles. Seed is added to
8 of the bottles as shown in the Bench Sheet below.
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You may enter bottle numbers now by clicking on the appropriate field in the table. Type or
scan in the number. You may also enter bottle numbers when you take Initial DO Readings.
Bottle numbers may be scanned in with a bar code reader. Refer to Section 10 for details.
At this point you may add general notes related to your batch under Notes, or notes relevant
to specific bottles by clicking on the Sample Name of the bottle and entering the note in the
Bottle Notes field. Under Technician you may enter the name, initials, or other relevant
information about the person performing the tests.
The Serial Number function is turned off in this Quick Start exercise. The Check Result
field shows Test Incomplete until both Day-1 and Day-5 DO readings have been entered.
Once the bottle number entry is complete you may begin taking initial DO readings. The top
line Read menu will be used to initiate this function.
6. Read Initials. The procedure to “Read Initials” may differ depending on the DO instrument
you use. The YSI 52, YSI 5000, and YSI 5100 allow the user to read and confirm DO
readings from the instrument keypad or PC. The YSI Professional Series instruments require
confirmation at the PC keyboard. In the example above the ProODO has been used in the
example, thus the bottles must be within view and reach of the PC monitor and keyboard.
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To begin Initial DO readings click Read from
the top line menu and then Initial. Take
Readings Status displays guide you through
the readings prompting you to make sure the
BOD probe is in the bottle and using criteria
you set up for DO reading stability.
Temperature is recorded and monitored by the
software to be within limits set under YSI
Instrument setup.
The status progress line displays a moving
indicator and the Stable Value green light
indicator illuminates to inform you that the DO
reading has met criteria for stability.
To the right is one display example related to reading the initial DO for the Dilution Blank.
Note the 300.00i indicating 300 ml sample, initial DO.
The Bench Sheet above indicates Initials have been read through Sample #7.
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7. Read Finals. Five days later restart BOD Analyst Pro software. Friday 07/01/2010 would
appear as Current Date rather than the simulated 6/28 in this example. Select the Sample
Date to load the batch. The Sample Date is the date that the Initials were read, not the current
date. Incubation would read 6/28/2010 to 7/1/2010 in an actual 5-day run.
Select Read from the top line menu and then Finals from the Main Menu. Follow the
prompts on the YSI or the PC to read the Day-5 readings. The results automatically load into
the program when confirmed. The prompts move down the table from bottle 1 to 13 in order.
Once complete the program displays a message indicating completion. Retakes of Finals
(and Initials) are allowed under certain conditions. Read Section 6 and Section 7 for more
detail related to taking DO readings. Calculations of BOD are displayed based on criteria set
up when the batch was created. Results that do not meet criteria may be marked (green).
Once the Finals are read and the Manual Check icon is clicked to apply test criteria the
calculations are made and BODs for each sample except the Dilution Blank are displayed. Note
the green marked rows where the criterion was to check all three dilutions and use the Seed BOD
closest to the 50% depletion rule. Bottle #6 was the closest and shown as 130 in the Final BOD
column. It is good practice to print the Bench Sheet at this time to create a hard copy of the
results. File / Exit closes the program and may prompt you to save results if you have not already
done so.
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SECTION 2 SAMPLES
2.1 WHAT IS A "SAMPLE?"
With YSI BOD Analyst Pro software you can organize your work by sample. A sample is
anything for which you want to know the BOD. Samples for BOD determination can be taken
from various points in your wastewater treatment system or environmental water. See examples
of samples below:
Raw
Clarifier Tank #2
Effluent
Combined sewer overflow #17
CBOD effluent
Clear River upstream of outfall
Samples can also come from industries or other large polluters:
Dairy Farm
Meat Processing Plant
Metal Plating Company
In BOD Analyst Pro software, samples also include some preparations that are done only in
support of the other measurements:
Seed control sample
GGA standard
Dilution water blanks
Distilled water blank
In BOD Analyst Pro software, a "Sample" is not just the name of what you want to measure, but
also all of the information about how you measure the BOD for that Sample. A Sample definition
includes the following information:
Sample Name – choose any appropriate name (< 30 characters/spaces)
Description – elaborate on the name with more specific information (< 50 characters/spaces)
Dilution Setup – how many dilutions and designated ml dilution for each
Seed Information – Name of seed sample and how many ml of seed used
Sample Category – define your sample as appropriate (Standard, Dilution Blank, Seed)
CBOD – check if you inhibit denitrification to determine the Carbonaceous BOD
Decimal Point – how many digits to right of decimal point to express Final BOD
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QC Settings – as required set limits on a sample for alerting operator when out of range for
Final BODs
Now refer to the Sample Setup Form below and follow the set up of a sample named Effluent.
The example Sample Setup above shows a sample named Effluent, with specific sampling
information identified under Description.
There are 3 dilutions containing 75 ml, 100 ml, and 150 ml of sample. This would be 25%, 33%
and 50% sample, respectively. “Note: Dilutions are in ml” is a message in the setup box.
The sample named Seed Control is designated as Seed and 8 ml are used in each of the 3 bottles
in this sample.
The sample is run as a CBOD (denitrification inhibited); thus inhibitor likely added to each bottle
during preparation.
No decimal points in expression of the final BODs. Each will be rounded whether as a single
sample or averaged over more than one of the dilution results.
No QC settings are assigned in this example. This is not required in Sample Setup, but when
entered these will appear under the Statistics function for trending analysis.
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ecord
b
ecord
d
2.2 USING SAMPLE SETUP
The Sample Setup Form is used to add new Samples to the database or to change old ones. The
Sample Setup Form is accessed from the top level menu (Menu) of the Bench Sheet by selecting
Setup / Samples. Sample Setup information is used as originally configured when adding a
sample to a day’s batch. For example, you set up Effluent with three dilutions of 75, 100, and
150 ml with 8 ml of seed. Every time the Effluent Sample is added to a batch, three dilutions of
75, 100, and 150 ml will be set up saving time and data entry errors. The dilutions and number of
bottles can be changed for any batch using the main bench sheet screen.
On the Sample Setup Form use the button bar to navigate, add, and delete samples. Changes to
samples are automatically saved.
Move to the
first record
Move to next
r
Add a new
lank r
Move to previous record
Move to last record
Delete the
current recor
2.3 ADDING A NEW SAMPLE
To add a new sample, select Setup / Samples from the Menu. Click the Add New button on the
toolbar. A blank Sample Setup Form will appear. Fill out the fields for the new sample as
described above. Changes are automatically saved. The following describe each of the fields on
the Sample Setup Form.
Sample Name
Choose a Sample Name that adequately describes your sample but try not to exceed 13
characters/spaces if you are using the YSI 5000/5100. The YSI 5000/5100 display limits names
and truncation of the name will occur if the maximum is exceeded. Try not to exceed 30
characters/spaces for other instruments where the PC monitor display (BOD Analyst Pro screens)
will be exclusively used for the Read functions.
Description
You may use up to 50 characters to describe the Sample. Often the Sample Name is adequate and
you need not fill in this field. It is not a required entry. The purpose of this field is to document a
specific sample when the Sample Name is highly abbreviated. For example, a Sample Name like
"W C s Efflnt" (12 characters/spaces) may need a description like "West plant CBOD seeded
effluent" (31 characters/spaces) to help with clarification in record keeping.
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Dilution Setup
From Setup / General you choose the units of the dilutions. You may select ml or %. Once
selected and confirmed on the General Setup Form by clicking OK, the message on the Sample
Setup Form will “note” which units are in use. See Sample Form above.
If you change dilution units on the General Setup Form this will affect your sample dilutions
previously entered. The numbers will not change so the BOD calculations may not reflect what
you intend. Make certain you choose correctly the first time and avoid the mistake of changing
this General Setup Form parameter without re-entering the corrected numbers in the Sample
Setup Form.
You may enter up to 5 dilutions for any Sample. Your dilution will typically be a whole number
but you may enter numbers to the right of a decimal point. Due to limited character space on the
YSI 5000/5100 display avoid more than 4 characters/spaces total. Appropriate entries would be
dilutions in ml of 300, 100, 75, 2.5 for example. If you were to enter 100 ml of sample into a 300
ml bottle and express it in % it would be 33.33333 ad infinitum. Truncate to 3.3% or 3.33% in
your entry.
Seed Control Sample Name
This field is used to indicate the name of the seed control sample. Note that you will have to
define your seed control samples before you can define any seeded samples. It is customary to
define your dilution blank, seed(s), and standard before moving on to other samples in an
intended batch. For example, if you use an influent sample for seeding other samples in the batch,
you must define this sample early in the setup. You must set up the Influent sample and check it
for “Use as seed” prior to assigning seed in another sample.
Use the pull-down menu in the Seed field to reveal the defined seeds. No Seeding is one choice
and only previously defined samples where you checked the box “Use as seed” will appear on the
list. Click on the seed of your choice for the sample you are defining. If you “seed”, you must
enter a quantity.
Seed Quantity in ml
The interpretation of this field depends on the seeding method that you select on the General
Setup Form. If you choose to add seed directly to each bottle, then the number in this field
represents the number of milliliters (ml) of seed material in each seeded bottle.
If you choose to add seed material to the dilution water, then the number represents the number of
milliliters of seed material in each liter (ml/L) of the dilution water that is used for seeded
samples. You enter the value with the understanding that it is ml seed / liter dilution water. Each
bottle now has a seed quantity reflected by the amount of dilution water in the bottle.
Standard
If checked this is a Glucose/Glutamic Acid (GGA standard) test. Standard tests have literature
documented minimum and maximum values. The documented values are set in software as the
default values in mg/L BOD (163 min; 237 max), but may be changed by the user when setting
up Criteria (see Section 10, Customizing Your Program).
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Dilution Blank
If checked this is a dilution blank test. Only the depletion is calculated for these tests. There is no
BOD value calculated. The Maximum Dilution Blank Oxygen Depletion criterion is applied to
Dilution Blank Tests. By default this is 0.2 mg/L, but may be changed by the user.
Used as Seed
If checked the sample can be used as a seed and will therefore appear in the Seed list for each
Sample. When “Used as Seed” is checked, a seed correction will be calculated for the sample and
used in determination of the BOD for each bottle in the Sample.
CBOD
If checked the sample is reported as a CBOD (carbonaceous BOD). Checked or not this has no
affect on the calculations. CBOD is typically reported when denitrification inhibitor is used in the
BOD test.
Decimal Points
The value chosen dictates the number of digits to the right of the decimal point in reporting of the
final BOD for the sample. The default is 0.
Pre-dilution
The pre-dilution factor is used when the General Setup Form option is checked for Pre-dilution.
Very strong samples sometimes require dilutions that would be difficult to make in one step. In
these cases a sizeable quantity of sample is first diluted to a ratio that will make the final dilutions
practical. In BOD Analyst Pro software, this is called pre-dilution.
For example, if you add 10 ml of your dairy farm sample to a 1000 ml volumetric flask and then
fill the flask with dilution water, this would be a pre-dilution of 100. It is sometimes referred to as
a serial dilution. You may find it easier to adjust for the strength of each sample with the predilution while keeping the final dilutions constant for all samples. Seed control samples and
blanks can not be pre-diluted.
Quality Control
Used in the trending graph / stats function Quality Control Limits may be set in this field and
viewed under Stats (Statistics). For example, when analyzing many weeks of BOD values for a
sample the standard deviations (SD) of a given sample may be expressed in QC limits. The
control limits could be 3SD while the warning limits could be 2SD of the mean value. See more
detail under the Trending section of the manual.
2.4 CHANGING A SAMPLE
Use the tool button bar to move to the sample (record) you want to change. Edit the fields as
required. Changes are automatically saved when you click OK to exit the Sample Setup Form.
When you edit a Sample Name the new name will also appear on reports of “old data”. For
example, if you edit the Sample "clarifier," and change its name to "secondary," when you print a
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report of a Batch that includes a BOD of the "clarifier," the Sample Name would be reported as
"secondary." Therefore, if you edit the name take care to choose a Sample Name that accurately
describes the Sample as defined so not to cause confusion with the new name.
2.5 NAMING SAMPLES
When determining BODs by hand with paper forms many people develop brief abbreviations for
their samples to save time. They may be familiar with the site not thinking someone else may
need to interpret their data tables someday. With BOD Analyst Pro software you will find it easy
to document your Sample names more completely. Try to use Sample Names that are as
descriptive as possible. For example, when naming an upstream river sample, why enter MU
when you could enter Mad R Upstr? This 11 character/space Sample Name need only be entered
once in the setup and then every batch setup in the future requires just a click of the mouse.
The number of characters/spaces you assign to a Sample Name depends to some extent on what
instrument system you use. The display on the YSI 5000/5100 (a common lab instrument) is
limited to 13 characters. The BOD Analyst Pro software screens allow you to exceed this number
but the Sample Name will be truncated to 13 on the instrument display. This is an important
consideration when using the YSI 5000/5100.
When using the Pro-series instruments the Sample Name does not appear on the instrument
display so the PC software display dictates the limits. The number of characters/spaces you can
use to define a Sample Name for the BOD Analyst Pro Software Setup Form has no limit but
there are two considerations worth noting. Although the Take Readings screen accommodates 50
characters/spaces, the Bench Sheet limits the name to about 35 characters and moreover “centers”
the Sample Name in the Bench Screen field. So if you exceed ~35 the Sample Name could be
missing characters at the beginning and end of the Sample Name. See the example below to help
guide you in assigning Sample Names to best accommodate your needs in collecting and
reporting information. The Sample Name entered was 59 characters/spaces.
Bench Sheet Limitations
Take Reading Display
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2.6 DELETING A SAMPLE
To delete a sample use the tool bar buttons to locate the sample (e.g., Effluent) and click on the
Delete button (>X). A pop-up confirmation message will appear. If you click OK the sample will
be permanently deleted from the list of samples. To create this sample again you will need to
reconfigure it with the Add New (>*) function and re-enter information.
When a sample is deleted from the current list of samples the record of its use in the database is
maintained. Thus if you decide to retrieve data for analysis and request the Sample Name you
deleted then that record will be preserved and can be used in reports, trending, and similar
functions.
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SECTION 3 SEEDING SAMPLES
3.1 WHY SEED?
Seeding is necessary when there are insufficient microbes present in the sample to adequately
deplete oxygen during the course of the test. Adding small amounts of microbes promotes the
depletion of oxygen to allow accurate quantification of the oxygen depletion.
Different samples need different levels of seed. Seeding is common with an effluent sample that
has been chlorinated. The seed material can come from the plant's influent, from some
intermediate point in the process, or from commercially available seed packets. Dilution blanks
should never be seeded and obviously the seed control sample is the seed and would not require
additional seeding.
If you do not seed in your application then ignore this section, but be sure that you do not fill in
the Seed Control Sample Name or Seed Quantity in ml fields on any Sample Setup Form.
3.2 SEED CONTROL SAMPLE
In a seeded sample both the sample and the seed contribute to the oxygen depletion. Since the
BOD of the sample is the value of interest the contribution of the seed material must be
subtracted.
To compensate for the
seed effect you must
run several dilutions of
the seed material itself.
This sample is called
the "Seed Control
Sample." You must
assign the seed control
sample in the Seed
Control Sample
Name field on the
Sample Setup Form.
NOTE: In the Sample
Setup Form shown
Influent has been
assigned as the seed
for Effluent.
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