Regulation of the organic pollution level in anaerobic digesters by using off-line COD measurements

► A control scheme to optimize anaerobic digestion processes was designed and experimentally validated. ► The control scheme can be easily implemented by using standard COD measurements. ► No expensive on-line analyzers are required. ► The organic pollution level is effectively regulated in spite of parametric uncertainties and load disturbances. ► The real-life industrial application of this control scheme is particularly encouraging.