Challenge Environmental Systems, Inc. was formed in 1990 to manufacture and sell respirometers – instruments that help identify the ability to treat industrial wastewaters. Over the intervening 15 years, Challenge has become a world leader in the design and application of respirometer for a wide range of applications.
Challenge AER Respirometer
The Challenge AER Respirometer can be used for both aerobic and anaerobic wastewater applications. The AER Respirometer is designed for batch and laboratory applications.
Major Features
Accurate and Precise Measurement - The flow measuring cell is the heart of the AER Respirometer system. You can achieve high precision because of quality design and construction; factory calibration of the flow measuring cells gives you a high degree of accuracy. Since there are no moving parts your maintenance and repair of the system is minimized. The use of rigid connectors and low-pressure operation essentially eliminates the need for leak detection.
Automated Data Collection - The computer does the data collection work. The data from each of your tests is recorded automatically at user-defined time intervals in one minute increments in an ASCII format suitable for direct input to a spreadsheet or other data processing programs. The advanced software provides you an immediate visual and graphical indication of the progress of each test. You can even specify your own computer system if you`d like.
Ease of Operation - The AER Respirometer system is designed for your convenience. Your set-up time is minimized by the use of standard laboratory glassware. Your cleanup time is reduced since grease is not required to seal the reaction vessels. You can withdraw gas or liquid samples easily from any of the reaction vessels at any time during the test.
Flexibility - The modular design of the AER Respirometer system allows you to purchase only the components you need to meet your needs. Temperature control modules are required only if you do not have an existing incubator. Reactor volumes can range from less than 50 ml to more than 20 l. You can arrange different reactor configurations during any test set up...you can even run aerobic and anaerobic tests simultaneously on one system
Detailed Features
Expandable in groups of 8 reactors - The AER-200 system allows connection of up to 24 flow-measuring cells to a common computer for efficiency of data collection and storage. The oxygen uptake modules may be arranged in groups of two, four or eight cells.
Aerobic/anaerobic operation - All systems are capable of operating in an anaerobic mode without the purchase of additional components, and one or more individual cells or cell groups can be operated simultaneously in aerobic or anaerobic modes.
Easy cleanup - Grease is not required to seal the reaction vessels, therefore less time is required for set up and organic solvents are not required for cleanup.
Variable Reactor Volume - All systems allow simultaneous use of reaction vessels ranging in volume from 50 mL to 1,000 mL.
Windows Based Graphics Software - The Windows-95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP computer software is capable of simultaneous display of cumulative oxygen uptake curves and oxygen uptake rates for one to 24 reactors plus a table showing the cumulative oxygen uptake for one to 24 cells. Data is stored in an ASCII format arranged for ease of import to a variety of data processing programs. Data may be stored at user-set increments ranging from 1 minute to 720 minutes.
No-heat Stirring Base - The stirring base does not contain electrical motors or current-induced magnet drives directly beneath the reaction vessels that can transfer heat to the water bath or reaction vessels. The stirring base can be operated at rotational speeds ranging from 20 to 1,300 rpm.
Modular Configuration - The mixing/reaction base can be separated from the interface module and computer, thereby requiring less bench space and improving operator convenience.
Start and Stop Flexibility - The systems allow addition or removal of individual reactors from the system without interrupting data collection from the remaining reactors. Samples can be removed from individual reaction vessels, or chemicals or nutrients can be added, without interrupting data collection from the remaining reactors.
Standard Glassware and Supplies - The glassware and supplies are standard and can be purchased from a number of suppliers, thereby allowing the user to optimize costs.
High Sensitivity - The oxygen uptake increment, and therefore sensitivity, is less than 0.06 mg when operating at 25°C. Flow measuring cells are factory pre-calibrated and contain no metal or mechanical parts.
Can Be Operated Without Water Bath - All systems are capable of being operated in a constant temperature incubator without the use of a water bath or circulatory water system for temperature control.
No Special Computer Boards are Required - The computer does not require special data acquisition boards, thereby reducing maintenance costs and allowing a number of types of computers to be used for data acquisition.
Flexible Location of Flow-Measuring Cells - The AER-200 system allows connection of extension or satellite oxygen uptake cells within 50 ft (20 m) of the interface module by using conventional telephone cable.
High Oxygen Uptake Rates - Oxygen transfer rates in excess of 500 mg/L-hr can be achieved without using special vessels or apparatus.
No Barometric Pressure Interference - Oxygen uptake rates less than 5 mg/day can be measured when using the optional barometric pressure controller (BPC-100).
Applications
Whether you`re involved in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment, plant operations or research, consulting engineering or university work, here are some proven applications of the Challenge AER Respirometer:
- Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) Fingerprints
- OUR Set-Point Control of Activated Sludge Processes
- Measuring Short-Term BOD
- Toxicity Assessment Using a Dilution Series
- Assessment of Acute Toxicity to Treatment Plants
- Biodegradation Tests for Wastewater Samples
- Assessing Nutrient Deficiencies
- Extant Biodegradation Kinetics of Mixed Wastewaters
- Intrinsic Biodegradation Kinetics of Chemicals
- Oxygen Uptake of Soil and Compost Samples
- Anaerobic Biomass Activity Tests
- Anaerobic BMP and ATA Tests
