Model-based estimation of an anaerobic reductive dechlorination process via an attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared sensor

Model-based software sensors were built for the estimation of the process v ariables: cosubstrate, mineral chloride ion, biomass and acetic acid from a n anaerobic reductive dechlorination process in a fixed-bed bioreactor, wit hout any the knowledge of the bioprocess kinetics. The estimations were acc omplished based only on measurements of chlorinated compounds, obtained by gas chromatography and on-line by an attenuated total reflection-Fourier tr ansform infrared (ATR-FTIR) sensor. In addition, the bioreaction rate of th is process was estimated by an observer-based estimator, and validated indi rectly by the toxic compound analytical data. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevie r Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ. All rights reserved.