초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Process diagnosis is essential to ensure anaerobic fermentation stable and efficient. Here, a novel sensor system combining microbial fuel cell (MFC), gas flow meter and pH meter was developed to evaluate its feasibility for probing the anaerobic process established on a model high-rate bioreactor. Repeated transient responses of electrical signal, proton concentration, and gas flow rate, were observed subject to external disturbances. The transient response lasted from <1 h to 6 h. In addition, MFC obtained compatible signal variations with other sensors, and biofilm MFC (MFC<SUB>Biofilm</SUB>) resulted in better agreements than control MFC (MFC<SUB>Control</SUB>). These results revealed that 1) the composite sensor system was capable to probe anaerobic process, suggesting a novel approach for process analysis and diagnosis of biogas or biohydrogen production; 2) the variations of sensor signals might provide more valuable information for process diagnosis than sensor signals themselves.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A novel sensor system was established combining MFC, gas flow meter and pH meter. </LI> <LI> Variations of sensor signals were more valuable for diagnosis of anaerobic process. </LI> <LI> MFC exhibited compatible signal variations with pH and gas flow meters. </LI> <LI> Transient responses of sensor signals were observed subject to disturbances. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>