Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) has for many years been a key parameter for discharge regulations and permits in Norway and other parts of the world. Traditionally, this analysis has been performed using the so-called Hach method, where the sample is digested with dichromate and mercury.

Since the introduction of the EU’s REACH directive, it has become necessary to develop a new COD analysis method that is both effective and emission-free. From the Canadian company MANTECH comes the PeCOD technique, which analyzes COD through direct oxidation using titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

PeCOD has gained international attention, as all other alternatives to the traditional COD method have proven less suitable for the purpose.

As shown in the video, PeCOD operates on a photocatalytic principle.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are exposed to UV light, creating a highly oxidative potential. This directly oxidizes the organic components in the sample, producing a measurable response at the electrode.