Ultra high pressure pasteurization and UHT sterilization system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system which performs pasteurization, UHT sterilization and homogenization of milk and similar food products requiring pasteurization, by means of reaching high pressure values. It is intended for use in the dairy industry, food industry (fruit juices, tomato paste, sauces, ketchup flavors, etc.), pharmaceuticals / biotechnology / cosmetics / chemistry and university laboratories.

Description

[0001] ULTRA HIGH PRESSURE PASTEURIZATION AND UHT STERILIZATION SYSTEM

[0002] Technological Field:

[0003] The present invention relates to a system which performs pasteurization, UHT sterilization and homogenization of milk and similar food products requiring pasteurization, by means of reaching high pressure values.

[0004] State of the Art:

[0005] Pasteurization is a heating method applied in the food industry to purify foodstuffs from disease-causing microorganisms. Homogenization is the process of permanently dispersing one or more materials in a liquid by micronizing the same by passing them through a narrow gap with a liquid fluid at high pressure, increasing the surface area and improving the viscosity. UHT sterilized milk is obtained by treating the milk at 140-150 degrees for about one second by spraying steam. The recipe describes a system that combines homogenization with pasteurization and UHT sterilization.

[0006] In the state of the art, pasteurization and homogenization are carried out as separate processes in separate production lines. Carrying out these two processes in separate production lines causes disadvantages in terms of time, cost and efficiency.

[0007] There is no homogenizer in the state of the art that can reach pressures higher than 2000 bar. During pasteurization and UTH sterilization, it is also necessary to homogenize the product in order to bring it to the required particle size.

[0008] The patent document numbered EP2409583A1 encountered in the literature search discloses a sterilization method. It is seen that a pressure of 2000 bar is applied in the method. As a result, an additional homogenization process step is required. A homogenizer is mentioned in the Chinese patent document numbered CN209345759 (U) encountered in the literature search. Pasteurization and UHT sterilization processes are not performed in this system.

[0009] A system that performs high temperature sterilization is described in the Chinese patent document numbered CN208909027 (U), which was encountered in the literature research. In the system, homogenization and sterilization processes are carried out in different orders and cannot be performed at the same time.

[0010] A homogenizer is mentioned in the Chinese patent document numbered CN211411893U encountered in the literature search. Said homogenizer is used after the sterilization process. Homogenization and sterilization cannot be carried out at the same time.

[0011] A homogenizer is mentioned in the Chinese patent document numbered CN113389701 A encountered in the literature search. Said homogenizer is used after the sterilization process as in the previous paragraph. Homogenization and sterilization cannot be carried out at the same time.

[0012] Consequently, a system is required in which the state of the art is exceeded, the disadvantages are eliminated.

[0013] Brief Description of the Invention:

[0014] The object of the present invention is to reveal a system that performs pasteurization, UHT sterilization and homogenization processes together.

[0015] The present invention enables both homogenization and pasteurization and UHT sterilization processes to be carried out with the help of its homogenizer. The homogenizer has a working capacity of 4000 bar pressure. High pressure increases the temperature of the homogenized product in the homogenizer. The invention is capable of carrying out operations carried out in two separate production lines in a single production line with the access to high pressure.

[0016] Description of the Figures:

[0017] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, thus the characteristics of the invention will be understood clearly. However, the aim of this is not to limit the invention with such certain embodiments. On the contrary, it is aimed to cover all alternatives, amendments and equivalents which may be contained in the field defined by the accompanying claims. It is to be understood that the details shown are only shown for the sake of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and presented for both illustrating the methods and for providing description of the rules of the invention and the conceptual features of the invention to be easily understood. In these figures;

[0018] Figure - 1 Perspective view of the inventive system.

[0019] Figure - 2 Top view of the inventive system.

[0020] The figures which enable to clarify this invention are enumerated as mentioned in the attached figure and they are given with their names herein below.

[0021] Description of the References:

[0022] 10. Homogenizer

[0023] 11. Pre-homogenization balance tank

[0024] 12. Centrifugal pump

[0025] 13. Post-homogenization balance tank

[0026] 14. Cooling exchanger

[0027] 15. Homogenization block

[0028] 16. Aseptic water unit Description of the Invention:

[0029] In this detailed description, the inventive system is described by means of examples only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

[0030] Figure 1 and figure 2 show perspective and top views showing the inventive system. Accordingly, in the system of the present invention, the product to be sterilized and homogenized is kept in the pre-homogenization balance tank (11). The product taken from here passes through the homogenization block (15) and is taken into the homogenizer (10). The homogenization process is carried out in the homogenizer (10) at an average temperature of 70 degrees. The feature of the system of the present invention is that its homogenizer (10) has an operating capacity of up to 4000 bar pressure. As it is known theoretically, every 50 bar pressure increase provides a 1 °C temperature increase. As a result, 4000 bar can provide an increase of 80 °C and, in theory, provides instant heating of the product taken into the homogenization process up to 150 °C. In the system of the present invention, the homogenizer (10) is adjusted to 3500 bar pressure, the product is heated to 138 °C, the product is kept at this temperature for 0.2 seconds, it is taken to the cooling exchanger (14) after the homogenizer (10) and collected in the balance tank (13) after homogenization at the packaging temperature.

[0031] In the invention, the pressure parameter of the homogenizer (10) is preferably used as 3500 bar. However, it is possible to use pressure values between 2500-4000 bar. In addition, the temperature of the product to be sterilized is between 125-150°C and is kept at this temperature for 0.1 -0.3 seconds. Thus, homogenization, pasteurization and UHT sterilization processes can be carried out simultaneously.

[0032] In the invention, the transfer of the product between the balance tanks (11 , 13), homogenizer (10), cooling exchanger (14) is carried out by centrifugal pumps (12) through the installation pipes. The invention also includes an aseptic water unit (16). Aseptic water unit (16) is a unit that ensures the protection of the system in terms of microbiological and other sensory properties.

[0033] The system subject to the invention has many areas of use. These areas are dairy industry, food industry (fruit juices, tomato paste, sauces, ketchup flavors, etc.), pharmaceuticals / biotechnology / cosmetics / chemistry and university laboratories.

[0034] The homogenizer (10) used in the inventive system can operate at a pressure of 4000 bar. This has been achieved by producing the homogenizer (10) and the homogenizer block (15) with high strength. In the developed homogenizer (10), the monoblock is designed so that the suction and outlet valves of the homogenizer block (15) and the homogenization valve are in the same block. With this design, blind spots in product movement are eliminated. In addition, the homogenizer block (15) is reinforced with tungsten alloy to ensure safe operation at high pressure. With the monoblock design and the fact that it is produced by rolling method instead of casting in accordance with this design, micro cracks can be prevented and safe operation at high pressure can be ensured. In the invention, the gasket and felt structure were chosen to be made of peek or ZEDEX material. Instead of flanges, a conical bolt connection system has been developed. Sealing is provided by metal-metal systems. Thus, pressure values of 4000 bar were reached and the necessary strength was achieved.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sterilization and homogenization system in which the product homogenized in the homogenizer (10) from the pre-homogenization balance tank (11) to the homogenizer (10) is cooled and taken to the post-homogenization balance tank (13), characterized by comprising the following;• at least one homogenizer (10) with a pressure capacity of 2500-4000 bar,• at least one homogenizer block (15) with a monoblock structure, with the suction and outlet valves and the homogenization valve in the same block.

2. A sterilization and homogenization system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises a homogenizer block (15) made of tungsten alloy for safe operation at high pressure.

3. A sterilization and homogenization system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises seals and gasket sealing elements made of peek or ZEDEX material.

4. A sterilization and homogenization system according to claim 1 , characterized in that; it comprises at least one homogenizer (10) with 3500 bar pressure rating capacity.

5. A method provided with a sterilization and homogenization system in which the product homogenized in the homogenizer (10) from the pre-homogenization balance tank (11) to the homogenizer (10) is cooled and taken to the post-homogenization balance tank (13), characterized by comprising the following process steps;• carrying out the homogenization process in the homogenizer (10) at 65 - 75 °C,• sterilizing the product by increasing the pressure in the homogenizer (10) to 2500 - 4000 bar and increasing the temperature to 125-150 °C for 0.1 -0.3 seconds,• cooling the product to 60-75 °C in a cooling exchanger and storing the same in the balance tank (13) after homogenization.

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