activated carbon. If product water is not odor-free, rebuild or purify the system.

In all cases
verify quality of product water daily.
b. Odor-free-water generator (Figure 2150:1):*#(20) Make the PVC generator from a 2-ft
length of 4-in. PVC pipe approved for use for drinking water purposes (e.g., Schedule 80, or
National Water Council-approved in U.K.). Thread pipe end to accept threaded caps. Have a
small threaded nipple in the cap center for water inlet or outlet. To retain the activated
carbon,
place coarse glass wool in top and bottom of generator. Regulate water flow to generator by a
needle valve and a pressure regulator to provide the minimum pressure for the desired flow.
Use
activated carbon of approximately 12 to 40 mesh grain size.†#(21)
c. Generator operation: Pass tap or purified water through odor-free-water generator at rate
of 100 mL/min. When generator is started, flush to remove carbon fines and discard product,
or
pre-rinse carbon.
Check quality of water obtained from the odor-free-water generator daily at 40 and 60°C
before use. The life of the carbon will vary with the condition and amount of water filtered.
Subtle odors of biological origin often are found if moist carbon filters stand idle between test
periods. Detection of odor in the water coming through the carbon indicates that a change of
carbon is needed.
4. Procedure
a. Precautions: Carefully select by preliminary tests the persons to make taste or odor tests.
Although extreme sensitivity is not required, exclude insensitive persons and concentrate on
observers who have a sincere interest in the test. Avoid extraneous odor stimuli such as those
caused by smoking and eating before the test or those contributed by scented soaps,
perfumes,
and shaving lotions. Insure that the tester is free from colds or allergies that affect odor
response.
Limit frequency of tests to a number below the fatigue level by frequent rests in an odor-free
atmosphere. Keep room in which tests are conducted free from distractions, drafts, and odor.2
If
necessary, set aside a special odor-free room ventilated by air that is filtered through
activated
carbon and maintained at a constant comfortable temperature and humidity.4
For precise work use a panel of five or more testers. Do not allow persons making odor
measurements to prepare samples or to know dilution concentrations being evaluated.
Familiarize testers with the procedure before they participate in a panel test. Present most
dilute
sample first to avoid tiring the senses with the concentrated sample. Keep temperature of
samples during testing within 1°C of the specified temperature.
Because many raw and waste waters are colored or have decided turbidity that may bias
results, use opaque or darkly colored odor flasks, such as red actinic erlenmeyer flasks.
b. Characterization: As part of the threshold test or as a separate test, direct each observer to
describe the characteristic sample odor using odor reference standards (see Section 2170).
Compile the consensus that may appear among testers and that affords a clue to the origin of
the
odorous component. The value of the characterization test increases as observers become
more
experienced with a particular category of odor, e.g., earthy, musty, chlorine.