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A fiber‐optic retroreflective turbidimeter for continuously monitoring cell concentration during fermentation
Author(s) -
Hancher C. W.,
Thacker L. H.,
Phares E. F.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260160404
Subject(s) - signal (programming language) , optical fiber , optics , materials science , turbidity , ray , fiber , volumetric flow rate , optoelectronics , physics , geology , composite material , computer science , quantum mechanics , programming language , oceanography
A fiber‐optic retroreflective turbidimeter has been developed to automatically and continuously assay the cell concentration in a fermentor by measuring the turbidity of the solution as a function of the light scattered at 180° to the incident light. The output signal is nearly directly proportional to the cell concentration in a fermentor when the sample stream contains from 0 to more than 50 g of cells per liter (wet weight). The device consists of a bifurcated fiber‐optics light pipe with its distal end inserted into a flow cell through which the material to be analyzed passes. A light source on one proximal branch of the light pipe illuminates the sample stream; light that is back‐scattered from participates in the stream re‐enters the light pipe and is returned to a photodetector on the other proximal branch of the light pipe. A signal conditioning system connected to the optical head by a cable provides gain and zero adjustment.