Patent ID: 6248595
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: G01N,Y02A,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of measuring a nitrification rate for a liquid comprising:a) isolating a liquid sample at t.sub.0 ;b) measuring the concentration of ammonia [NH.sub.3 ].sub.1 or ammonium [NH.sub.4.sup.+ ].sub.1 present in said sample at a predetermined time t.sub.1 ;c) isolating another liquid sample and introducing air into said another liquid sample after another predetermined time t.sub.2 ;d) terminating said introduction of air into said another liquid sample and adjusting the pH of said another sample at t.sub.3 ;e) measuring the concentration of ammonia [NH.sub.3 ].sub.2 or ammonium [NH.sub.4.sup.+ ].sub.2 in said another sample at a predetermined time t.sub.4 ; andf) determining the nitrification rate of the liquid according to the following formula: ##EQU13##wherein NR is the nitrification rate, .DELTA.t is t.sub.3 -t.sub.2 and .DELTA.[NH.sub.3 ] is [NH.sub.3 ].sub.1 -[NH.sub.3 ].sub.2 or .DELTA.[NH.sub.4.sup.+ ] is [NH.sub.4.sup.+].sub.1 -[NH.sub.4.sup.+ ].sub.2.