AN APPROACH TO ON-LINE OPTIMIZATION OF BIOMASS PRODUCTION IN CONTINUOUS PROCESSES

ABSTRACT By using a simple CO 2 and O 2 signals treatment method, coupled with a gas mass balance establishment, it is possible to detect, rather precisely, significant alterations in the steady state of a continuous culture; these alterations being due to modifications of various control parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen…). An objective function, taking into account several criteria, is minimized by computerized on-line actions on these control parameters and, consequently, the biomass production can be optimized. Some preliminary experiments on a single variable problem are described, as well as the objective function calculation and the results obtained. The extension field of such a method will also be discussed.