Method and system for treating milk

Abstract

A method of treating milk for reducing a microbial population in a liquid milk product. The method comprising passing the liquid milk product through a first channel, wherein the first channel comprises at least one first ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitter. Irradiating the liquid milk product in the first channel with UV-C light emitted from the UV-C emitter to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product. Outputting the liquid milk product through the first channel and into a container, wherein the container comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer. Emitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer into the liquid milk product in the container to cause cavitation in the liquid milk product to lyse microbial cells in the liquid milk product. Outputting the liquid milk product through the container and into a second channel, wherein the second channel comprises at least one second UV-C emitter. Irradiating the liquid milk product in the second channel with UV-C light emitted from the second UV-C emitter to expose microbial cells in the liquid milk product to the UV-C light to promote long term stability of the liquid milk product.

Description

A method for processing milk to reduce the number of microorganisms in a liquid dairy product. The method includes passing the liquid dairy product through a first channel, wherein the first channel includes at least one first ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitter. The liquid dairy product in the first channel is irradiated with UV-C light emitted from the UV-C emitter to reduce the number of microorganisms in the liquid dairy product. The liquid dairy product is then exited through the first channel into a container, wherein the container includes at least one ultrasonic transducer. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic transducer into the liquid dairy product in the container, causing cavitation in the liquid dairy product, thereby lysing the microbial cells in the liquid dairy product. The liquid dairy product is then exited through the container into a second channel, wherein the second channel includes at least one second UV-C emitter. The liquid dairy product in the second channel is irradiated with UV-C light emitted from the second UV-C emitter, exposing the microbial cells in the liquid dairy product to the UV-C light to promote the long-term stability of the liquid dairy product.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method of treating milk for reducing a microbial population in a liquid milk product, the method comprising: passing the liquid milk product through a first channel, wherein the first channel comprises a first turbulence promoter and at least one first ultraviolet-C (IIV-C) emitter; irradiating the liquid milk product in the first channel with IIV-C light emitted from the at least one first IIV-C emitter to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product, wherein the first turbulence promoter creates turbulence in the liquid milk product to expose the liquid milk product in the first channel to the IIV-C light; outputting the liquid milk product through the first channel and into a container, wherein the container comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer; emitting ultrasonic waves from the at least one ultrasonic transducer into the liquid milk product in the container to cause cavitation in the liquid milk product to lyse microbial cells in the liquid milk product; outputting the liquid milk product through the container and into a second channel, wherein the second channel comprises a second turbulence promoter and at least one second IIV-C emitter; irradiating the liquid milk product in the second channel with IIV-C light emitted from the at least one second IIV-C emitter to expose microbial cells in the liquid milk product to the IIV-C light to promote long term stability of the liquid milk product, wherein the second turbulence promoter creates turbulence in the liquid milk product to expose the liquid milk product in the second channel to the IIV-C light; and passing the liquid milk product out of the second channel and into a vessel for containing the liquid milk product.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising using a transducer driver to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer at a frequency of 20kHz to 40kHz.P43134US (PCT)3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising using a flow control system to regulate a flow rate of the liquid milk product through at least one of the first channel, the container and the second channel to a flow rate of 1 litre per minute to 10 litres per minute.

4. The method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising using an ultrasound control system to monitor and control the operation of at least one ultrasonic transducer.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising using a UV-C control system to control the at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second UV-C emitter.

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising using at least one temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the liquid milk product in at least one of the first channel, the container and the second channel.

7. The method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising: passing the liquid milk product through a filtration system; and filtering the liquid milk product using the filtration system to remove particulate matter and debris.

8. The method of any one of the preceding claims further comprising using a cooling device to cool the liquid milk product to a temperature of 4°C to 6°C.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid milk product is at least one liquid milk product selected from a group comprising dairy milk, camel milk, lab-grown milk, and plant-based milk.P43134US (PCT)10. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter outputs UV- C light at a wavelength of 180nm to 280nm.11 . The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter outputs UV- C light at an energy density of 5mJ / cm2to 15mJ / cm2.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the first channel and the second channel comprises at least one respective flexible conduit.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein at least part of the at least one flexible conduit is translucent.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter are embedded in a wall of the at least one flexible conduit.

15. An apparatus for treating milk for reducing a microbial population in a liquid milk product, the apparatus comprising: a first channel comprising: a first channel inlet; a first channel outlet; at least one first ultraviolet-C (IIV-C) emitter configured to emit IIV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product; and a first turbulence promoter configured to create turbulence in the liquid milk product to expose the liquid milk product in the first channel to the IIV-C light; a container comprising:P43134US (PCT)a container inlet which is in fluid communication with the first channel outlet; a container outlet; at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the liquid milk product in the container to cause cavitation in the liquid milk product to lyse microbial cells in the liquid milk product; a second channel comprising: a second channel inlet which is in fluid communication with the container outlet; a second channel outlet; at least one second ultraviolet-C (IIV-C) emitter configured to emit IIV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product; and a second turbulence promoter configured to create turbulence in the liquid milk product to expose the liquid milk product in the second channel to the IIV-C light.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a transducer driver which is configured to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer at a frequency of 20kHz to 40kHz.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or claim 16 further comprising a flow control system which is configured to regulate a flow rate of the liquid milk product through at least one of the first channel, the container and the second channel to a flow rate of 1 litre per minute to 10 litres per minute.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17 further comprising an ultrasound control system which is configured to monitor and control the operation of at least one ultrasonic transducer.P43134US (PCT)19. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 18 further comprising a IIV-C control system which is configured to control the at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 19 further comprising at least one temperature sensor which is configured to measure the temperature of the liquid milk product in at least one of the first channel, the container and the second channel.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 20 further comprising a filtration system which is configured to filter the liquid milk product using the filtration system to remove particulate matter and debris.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 21 further comprising a cooling device which is configured to cool the liquid milk product to a temperature of 4°C to 6°C.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 22 wherein the liquid milk product is at least one liquid milk product selected from a group comprising dairy milk, camel milk, lab-grown milk, and plant-based milk.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 23 wherein at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter is configured to output IIV-C light at a wavelength of 180nm to 280nm.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 24 wherein at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter is configured to output IIV-C light at an energy density of 5mJ / cm2to 15mJ / cm2.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 25 wherein at least one of the first channel and the second channel comprises at least one respective flexible conduit.P43134US (PCT)27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein at least part of the at least one flexible conduit is translucent.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein at least one of the at least one first IIV-C emitter and the at least one second IIV-C emitter are embedded in a wall of the at least one flexible conduit.

29. An apparatus for treating milk for reducing a microbial population in a liquid milk product, the apparatus comprising: a first channel comprising: a first channel inlet; a first channel outlet; at least one first ultraviolet-C (IIV-C) emitter configured to emit IIV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product; a container comprising: a container inlet which is in fluid communication with the first channel outlet; a container outlet; at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the liquid milk product in the container to cause cavitation in the liquid milk product to lyse microbial cells in the liquid milk product; a second channel comprising: a second channel inlet which is in fluid communication with the container outlet; a second channel outlet; at least one second ultraviolet-C (IIV-C) emitter configured to emit IIV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product.P43134US (PCT)

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