PROGRESS TOWARDS ESTIMATION OF BIOMASS IN A BATCH FERMENTATION PROCESS

Abstract The paper describes progress towards the modelling and computer on-line estimation of unmeasurable states in a batch fermentation process. A laboratory fermentor was suitably instrumented and connected on-line to an LSI 11 microcomputer data logging control system. The measurements include temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, air flow, carbon dioxide content of waste gases, and information on heat balance and quality of neutralising alkali. Conventional closed loop control loop is maintained over pH, dissolved oxygen and vessel temperature.