Patent ID: 6063617
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: C12M

Abstract:
An on-line respirometer comprising:a reaction vessel for simultaneously containing a slurry and headspace gases, the slurry sample comprising a mixture of a microorganism culture and either wastewater or a chemical solution;means for continuously delivering a flow of microorganisms into said vessel;means for continuously delivering a flow of wastewater or chemical solution into said vessel;flushing means for establishing a predetermined mixture of headspace gases and for purging undesirable gases from said headspace;venting means for discharging headspace gases in response to said flushing means and for discharging slurry in response to said wastewater or chemical solution delivery means;sensor means for determining the concentration of oxygen in said headspace gases or said slurry sample;an external source of oxygen for introducing oxygen into said slurry sample or said headspace gases;computer means responsive to said sensor means for maintaining a constant oxygen concentration in said slurry sample or said headspace gases by controlling said external oxygen source;means for measuring and monitoring the oxygen flow from said computer means to determine the oxygen uptake; and,means for agitating said slurry sample.