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2010170 
Journal Article 
Real time monitoring of a biogas digester with gas chromatography, near-infrared spectroscopy, and membrane-inlet mass spectrometry 
Ward, AJ; Bruni, E; Lykkegaard, MK; Feilberg, A; Adamsen, APS; Jensen, AP; Poulsen, AK 
2011 
Yes 
Bioresource Technology
ISSN: 0960-8524
EISSN: 1873-2976 
102 
5 
4098-4103 
English 
21232940 
WOS:000287786300016 
Four methods of monitoring the anaerobic digestion process were studied at pilot scale. The methods employed were Micro Gas Chromatography (μ-GC) and Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) for measurements in the gas phase, Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and pH in the liquid phase. Micro Gas Chromatography accurately measured H(2), CH(4), H(2)S, N(2) and O(2) in the headspace whereas the MIMS accurately measured CH(4), CO(2), H(2)S, reduced organic sulfur compounds and p-cresol, also in the headspace. In the liquid phase, NIRS was found to be suitable for estimating the concentrations of acetate, propionate and total volatile fatty acids (VFA) but the error of prediction was too large for accurate quantification. Both the μ-GC and NIRS were low maintenance methods whereas the MIMS required frequent cleaning and background measurements. 
MIMS; mu-GC; NIR; On-line monitoring; Biogas