ORP
Updated: May 16, 2022
Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP)
Measuring the oxidation reduction potential (ORP) is such an easy, insightful test to perform, it’s a shame this poorly understood parameter is so underutilized. Of course, it’s that very lack of understanding that leaves ORP testing hidden away in the shadows. Though the science of ORP measurement is quite sophisticated, we can simplify its interpretation to serve our need to know more about a wastewater treatment system.
ORP theory is best summarized as providing an indication of the ability of a solution (the wastewater, mixed liquor suspended solids, etc.) to oxidize or reduce another solution. Add hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizer, to a wastewater sample, and the ORP will increase, resulting in a positive millivolt (mV) value. Add a lot of hydrogen peroxide and you will begin to oxidize some of the less complex organics in the wastewater. Now add sodium bisulfite, a strong reducing agent, to the same sample, and the ORP will decrease, as will the oxidation of organics, and the ORP value will drop, ultimately resulting in a negative mV reading if a sufficient amount of bisulfite is added.
The charts and table shown below will provide you with a handy reference to guide your understanding of oxidation reduction potential in your wastewater system.
You can download a PDF of the charts and tables shown above. Also, if you want to use these graphics, you might prefer to download the PowerPoint file (.pptx) which will allow you to copy and paste high quality versions of the graphics shown above, as well as the first two graphics shown below, to use as you wish.
ORP Measurements In the Field
When I measure the oxidation-reduction potential at a wastewater plant I like to present the data as shown in the two graphics below. These simple bar graphs communicate a lot, easily and quickly, letting you, and the customer, know at a glance if there are any potential problems. The first chart is from testing done at a muncipal plant located in the southwestern USA and the second chart is from an industrial plant located in the northwestern USA. Note the terminology differences in the two charts: the municipal plant has primary clarifiers whereas the industrial plant does not, using an equaliztion tank to collect all waste streams which then discharges directly to biological treatment. The clarifier in the northwest plant is the secondary clarifier.
To avoid, or at least minimize septicity and odor generation in the primary clarifier influent the ORP should be in the range of -150 to -50 mV. At negative 314 mV the influent wastewater to this municipal is very odorus. In addition, the very low influent ORP places a much larger oxygen demand on the biological system and you can see the ORP in the MLSS just before it leaves the bioreactor is only 53.6 mV, at the very bottom of the range required for optimal oxidation of BOD/COD.This plant need to nitrify and it will have a very low nitrification rate under these conditions.
This industrial plant is organically overloaded and lacking sufficient oxygen generation capacity in the oxidation ditch bioreactor.
From the ORP measurements we can see that the wastewater leaving the equalization tank is beginning to show septicity (ORP is <-150 mV). This septicity will increase the oxygen demand in the bioreactor, which at this plant is an oxidation ditch, a schematic of which is shown below. We would like to see an ORP >50 mV in the oxidation ditch itself. Ideally, we'd like an ORP >100 mV in the bioreactor for optimal oxidation of the organics. At this heavily loaded wastewater plant the ORP is low at -60 mV in the outer ring of the oxidation ditch, not unexpected since this is where the wastewater is introduced, but the ORP remains low at just 30 mV measured at the inner ring, which is the ring where the MLSS leaves on its way to the secondary clarifiers. Once the MLSS leaves the oxidation ditch there is no additional aeration and the ORP drops to -30 mV by the time the wastewater overflows the secondary clarifiers.
Notice the installed aeration horsepower at the top right in the schematic. The rotary aerators are the standard aeration method used in oxidation ditches, contributing the majority of aeration horsepower at 340. The floating aerators, adding another 150 hp of aeration capacity. were installed to increase the air supply to better handle the high organic loading. Still, even with the added aeration, dissolved oxygen levels rarely reach 2 mg/L by the time the MLSS overflows from the oxidation ditch.
Oxidation Ditch
"Boat" Aerator
Rotary Disk Aerator
Recommended ORP Document Downloads
If you want more information on oxidation reduction potential take a look at the information below. These will give you a very comprehensive understanding of ORP.