New type of dry substances content meter using microwaves for application in biogas plants

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2005 Nov;383(5):752-7. doi: 10.1007/s00216-005-0105-7. Epub 2005 Oct 29.

Abstract

Dry substances (DS) are an important index for monitoring and controlling anaerobic co-digestion in biogas plants. We have developed and tested an online meter that measures suspended solids by means of the reflection coefficient of an exiting microwave signal, which is dependent on the dielectric properties of the suspensions. Intelligent models based on partial least squares regression (PLSR) and artificial neural network (ANN) for calibration allow exact and reproducible measurements under different circumstances. This measuring method is appropriate for contactless and online measurements of dry substance contents in biogas plants in a large range from 2-14%.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods
  • Algorithms*
  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Biopolymers / analysis*
  • Biopolymers / chemistry*
  • Desiccation
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Gases / chemistry
  • Industrial Waste / analysis*
  • Microwaves*
  • Online Systems
  • Powders / analysis
  • Powders / chemistry
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiometry / instrumentation*
  • Radiometry / methods

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Gases
  • Industrial Waste
  • Powders