On-line Automated Monitoring and Control Systems for CO2 and O2 in Aerobic and Anaerobic Solid-State Fermentations

Two systems for monitoring and control of gases from solid-state cultures have
been developed. nte first involves on-line automated monitoring of CO2 and 0,
concentration in exhaust gases from eight fermenters or eight gas sampling ports in
a large fermenter. It proved to be efficient in obtaining information on the
physiological state and respiration rate of the culture in a real-time process.
Furthermore, the specific growth rate (n) can be estimated reliably by gas
measurements in aerobic cultures. The second system is for automated control of
exit gases from aerobic solid-state firmentations. It permitted eliminan*on of
biomass and temperature gradients in a largefknenter due to the maintenance of
culture under non-limiting conditions on oxygen. These two systems have
applicability in aerobic and anaerobic solid-state processes and were found to be
reliable in a number offermentation experiments as well as optimization of solidstate
fermentation. To our knowledge no earlier report of such versatile and
reliable on-line automated monitoring/control systems has appeared