Bed height sensing device for biological reactor

摘要

The invention provides a reactor apparatus (10) including a fluid bed reactor (12) containing a media bed (30) composed of particulate solids and biomass adhered thereto. The reactor apparatus also includes a biomass monitoring system (62) for measuring changes in the size of the media bed and for activating a biomass growth control system when conditions with the reactor call for removal of excess biomass. The biomass monitoring system includes a vertical tubular member (66) that is supported in the reactor and that serves to isolate a parameter or condition indicative of the size of the media bed. The biomass monitoring system also includes a sensing device (64) for measuring changes in the isolated parameter or condition, and a mechanism (72) for activating the biomass growth control system when signaled by the sensing device.