Patent ID: 6975403

Claim:
Equipment for detecting, determining the evolution and quantifying a microbial mass and other substances that absorb light along the spectrum during the development of biotechnological processes, comprising: means for pumping and circulating ( 9 ) the substance to be controlled from a bioreactor or similar source ( 2 ) to a first test-tube ( 3 ), a second test-tube ( 4 ) in which a static control sample of the substance ( 1 ) to be controlled is placed, means for emitting light of a variable intensity ( 5 ) and pre-set range of frequencies that are applied to the first test-tube ( 3 ), means of for emitting light of a constant intensity ( 6 ) and in the same said frequency range, which are applied to the second test-tube ( 4 ), means for sensing ( 7 ) the light which passes through the first test-tube ( 3 ) and providing a first signal in accordance with the light intensity sensed, means for sensing ( 8 ) the light which passes through the second test-tube and providing a second signal in accordance with the light intensity sensed ( 4 ), means for comparing ( 10 ) the two said first and second signals corresponding to the light intensities sensed by the said sensing means and providing an output signal in accordance with the intensity difference ( 7 , 8 ), means for adjusting ( 11 ) the said output signal, such that by means of the modification of the power applied to the light-emitting means ( 5 ), the difference between the two said signals of the sensing means ( 7 , 8 ) will be nil or, equivalently, that the output signal of the means of comparison ( 10 ) will be nil, means for varying the power ( 12 ) applied to the means of emitting light of variable intensity ( 5 ) in terms of the output signal of the means of adjustment ( 11 ), means for sensing and transmitting ( 13 ) the instant value of the signal which is being applied to the means of emitting variable intensity light ( 5 ), and means for processing ( 14 ) the output signals of the aforementioned sensing and transmitting means ( 13 ), and for calculating in terms of the output signal and of a calibration pattern the parameter of interest of the aforementioned said substance ( 1 ).