Efficient Monitoring of Biotechnological Processes by Means of Titration

摘要

In the last years the surveillance of biotechnological processes has gained rising importance. Advanced measurement systems now often play a crucial role in bioprocess control. On the other, hand there are still processes in many branches of bioprocess engineering which are operated to a large extent uncontrolled or with empirical knowledge. An obstacle for new measurement techniques is frequently the lack of sufficiently qualified personnel in the production plant. Titration techniques can help to bridge this gap because usually a large number of employees are acquainted with this technique. Furthermore, a relatively simple technology is used. Nevertheless, substantial progress has been made in titration techniques in the last years. Today, robust on-line titration systems can be implemented economically using mainly standard components. Both direct acid/base titrations of a bioprocess (e.g., for monitoring nitrification or methane formation) and titrations in samples (e.g., titrations for the simultaneous determination of different ions in water or the on-line titration of volatile fatty acids) supply important process data. Furthermore, titrations with specific ion-selective electrodes have been further developed. For example, electrodes and procedures for the (on-line) titrimetric surfactant determination are available now).