Automatic Dissolved Oxygen Titler AULOX uses technological improvements to the classic and robust Winkler method, the world standard chemical method for validating these analyses.

The Oceanographic Instrumentation Center (CIO) makes available to the scientific community the Automatic Dissolved Oxygen Titler called AULOX, a project led by Víctor Villagrán. Under a patent from the University of Concepción (UdeC) and the Milenium Institute of Oceanography (IMO), CIO offers a version for sale as well as for rent.

AULOX is a device that allows performing a chemical titration, through the definition of the Winkler Method, thus enabling the determination of dissolved oxygen in a water sample. "It is used to standardize this type of measurements. All sensors that measure this variable need to be regularly calibrated using this technique. It is therefore an essential component in calibration laboratories. These equipment" are not massive, therefore we with this third generation of AULOX offer a solution with updated technology," contextualized Víctor Villagrán, Director of Development of CIO and academic of Geophysics Department of the University of Concepcion (UdeC). 

Importance of the variable

The dissolved oxygen variable is crucial in different areas, such as oceanography, limnology and even generates industrial interest. In the oceanographic or environmental area, dissolved oxygen is a variable of great relevance in the recognition of areas of scientific importance. In aquaculture, however, it is an indicator of the population saturation status of the farming areas and is related to the functioning productive for them. Dissolved oxygen in water is also relevant as it is associated with the level of water contamination. "If we think about the food industry, the water used in the processes must have a high level of quality. Therefore, in these cases, dissolved oxygen is again an indicator that allows us to determine the level of water purity. The quality of its measurement is important," he explained. 

AULOX, in its third generation, is a team that comes to solve a high-impact problem. Its great advantage is that it automatically measures the Winkler method. The Winkler method is a worldwide standard method, which must be used by all groups that carry out measurements of the dissolved oxygen variable. 

Part of its advantages lies in the time saved for data processing. "Without the equipment and with very oxygenated samples, a determination can take up to 10 minutes per sample. With AULOX, the processing time is reduced to about 3 minutes. This is significant when you are on a cruise, you save time and it is of great help. In addition, it increases the quality of the determination thanks to its optical detector," added Victor. Villagran.

This technology-based initiative went through various tests before being patented by UdeC and the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO). "In 2018 we obtained a patent for an invention, which is a requirement for these initiatives," he commented.

The main motivation for working on this project is to have available and accessible equipment in Chile and eventually for Latin America. The first commercial unit was carried out this year 2024 and was acquired by the Institute of Fisheries Development (IFOP), and an update was carried out both software and hardware. 

Part of its features was to give it an industrial casing, making it much more attractive, with a functional design. "It is an added value. Also, in terms of electronics we updated it, since in a decade and a half everything is advancing. Industrial electronic cards were built and, in addition, more functions were added to help the setup process, in a more autonomous way," he concluded.

In addition to selling the AULOX, it is planned to have the possibility of renting the equipment and opening up to the possibility of having a commercial partner in charge of the sale and distribution of this technology. The idea is to build a couple more units, intended also for the internal needs of the CIO working group. 

"We are going to incorporate the calibration of dissolved oxygen sensors in our laboratories, then we will build infrastructure and for that, it is necessary to have this technology," he concluded.