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Device for detecting and continuously measuring the concentration of oxidizable biodegradable substrates in a medium and method

  • US 5,158,662 A
  • Filed: 11/19/1990
  • Issued: 10/27/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A detection device for detecting oxidizable biodegradable substrates in a medium having microorganisms therein comprising:

  • a first electrode comprising;

    a first tube having an upper end and a lower end and an opening extending therethrough intersecting the upper and the lower ends thereof;

    a first conducting element having an upper face and a lower face, and being disposed in the opening in the first tube and positioned at the lower end of the first tube, the first conducting element being porous, the first conducting element being positioned in the tube so that the lower face of the first conducting element is exposed to the medium when the first electrode is at least partially immersed in the medium;

    a first conductor connected to the first connecting element, the first conductor extending through the opening in the tube;

    a second electrode;

    air compressor means for passing air having oxygen therein into the opening in the first tube, a portion of the compressed air passing through the first conducting element and the compressed air in the first tube substantially preventing the medium from passing through the first conducting element and into the opening in the first tube, the microorganisms in the medium associated with the first conducting element oxidizing the biodegradable substrate in the presence of oxygen passed from the air compressor means associated with the first conducting element and causing electrons to be emitted from the first conducting element, the electrons passing through the medium and the second electrode; and

    means connected to the first conductor and the second electrode for detecting electron transfer between the first and second electrodes thereby indicating the oxidizable biodegradable substrates in the medium.

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