A simple spectrophotometric method based on pH‐indicators for monitoring partial and total alkalinity in anaerobic processes

Abstract Partial alkalinity, as a measure of bicarbonate concentration, and total alkalinity, as a measure of the concentration of bicarbonate and volatile fatty adds, are useful parameters for monitoring anaerobic digestion processes. This paper reports a new method based on pH‐indicators and spectrophotometric measurements for the monitoring of partial and total alkalinity. The method was used in an off‐line procedure for monitoring of an anaerobic process and displayed less than 5% deviation from the traditional method of measuring partial and total alkalinity, as well as being rapid and reproducible. A flow injection analysis system based on the method was used on‐line for monitoring overload in a UASB reactor, which demonstrated changes in alkalinity not easily registered using traditional methods.

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