Studies on on-line bioreactor identification. IV. Utilization of pH measurements for product estimation.

Relationships between the total rate of biomass growth and the rate of ammonia addition to a fermentor for pH control are presented. These equations make use of the concept of reaction invariants and provide the additional information needed for bioreactor identification. They are especially useful when the RQ measurement is not sufficient for this purpose, such as when sensitivities arise with the measured values of the respiratory quotient or when fermentation products are formed. The cases of batch, fed-batch and continuous fermentations, forming products with or without acidic/basic properties are considered. The derived relationships were successfully tested with nonbiological acid-base continuous flow reaction systems and subsequently applied to the identification of the continuous yeast fermentation of glucose to ethanol. Results of these experimental studies are also presented.