Two flash system for steam cycle

Abstract

This disclosure is based on the discovery that by modifying existing heat treatment plants, such as e.g., UHT plants, to include at least a dual flash cooler set up, the energy efficiency of the plant can be greatly improved. Thus, this disclosure provides heat treatment plants that include at least two flash coolers downstream of the heat treatment apparatus. The first flash cooler directs flash steam to a mechanical vapour recompression device which compresses the steam prior to injection into the heat treatment apparatus. In certain embodiments, the first and second flash coolers direct flash steam to vapour preheating devices to preheat the liquids being processed by the plants. The disclosure also includes methods of operating the plant and methods of heat treating liquid.

Description

TWO FLASH SYSTEM FOR STEAM CYCLE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 739,251 (filed on December 27, 2024) which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates to improved ultra-high temperature treatment plants that include at least dual flash cooling and mechanical vapour compression.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In a traditional UHT plant (Ultra High Temperature plant), steam is e.g., sprayed into a liquid in an infusion chamber, in such a manner that the liquid, e.g., fluid foodstuff, is heated to a temperature of about 140°C. Subsequently, the fluid foodstuff is fed to a so-called holding chamber in which the fluid foodstuff is kept for a predetermined period (about 2 to 15 sec) in the heated state. Thereafter, the liquid is transferred to a flash vessel in which the water deriving from the steam is removed in such a manner that the solid content of the liquid leaving the flash vessel is the same as that which was fed into the infusion chamber before the heat treatment. After processing in the flash vessel, the liquid is usually transferred to a homogenizer and then subjected to cooling and packing.

[0004] However, operation of a UHT plant can be quite energy consuming. A lot of energy is spent to heat the liquid, such as e.g., the fluid, to the desired temperature. In addition, many UHT plants use a high temperature treatment for a short period to kill microorganism. As energy costs and environmental concerns increase, the energy consumption of a UHT plant can be undesirable.

[0005] What is needed is an improved design of a heat treatment plant, such as an UHT, to reduce cost and energy consumption and therefore be more environmentally friendly (green).SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This disclosure provides modified UHT systems that are more energy efficient (green) than current systems via use of at least dual flash cooler setup. In particular, the disclosure is based on the discovery that by replacing the single flash cooler in conventional UHT systems with at dual flash coolers in series and then using vapour exiting the flash coolers to either pre-heat the liquid, e.g., fluid foodstuff, and / or the infusion chamber energy4913-1966-4251.1 1consumption can be reduced. In certain embodiments, more than two flash coolers can be used in series.

[0007] One embodiment of the disclosure is a method of heat treating liquid, which includes: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a heat treatment apparatus (such as e.g., an infusion chamber); and cooling the heat-treated liquid using at least a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; whereby during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. While in certain embodiments the heat treatment apparatus is a steam infusion chamber, other heat treatment apparatuses can be used in this method. Any heat treatment apparatus suitable for heat treatment can be used. Other examples of suitable heat treatment apparatuses are direct steam injection (DSI), external pre-heaters, direct pasteurizers and indirect pasteurizers, direct heater such as but not limited to, a low thermophile heater, a mesophile heater, or a dead vapour heater.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the method further includes pre-heating the liquid prior to treatment in the heat treatment apparatus. For example, in certain embodiments, the preheating includes a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheating device placed in series, the first vapour preheating device being connected to the second vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device being connected to the heat treatment apparatus. In some embodiments, first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device heat the liquid by about 5 to 15°C or about 10°C. In other embodiments, during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device and flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. In other embodiment, during the cooling in the second flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted from the second flash cooler to the first vapour preheating device.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the method also includes cooling the heat-treated liquid and optionally packaging.

[0010] A variety of different temperatures can be used for the heat treating. In certain embodiments, the heat treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of up to 160°C. In other embodiments, the method includes pre-heating the liquid at a temperature of about 75°C, alternatively to a temperature of about 90°C, alternatively to a temperature of about 105 °C, alternatively to a temperature of about 115°C, alternatively to a temperature of about 130°C.4913-1966-4251.1 2

[0011] In some embodiment of the method, the liquid entering the first vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 55°C and the liquid entering the second vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 65°C. In other embodiments, the method includes cooling the liquid in the first flash cooler by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 °C, wherein the method further includes cooling the liquid in the second flash cooler by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25 °C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0012] In other embodiments, the method includes the following steps: heat-treating preheated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid and flash steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series, whereby the treating includes heating the liquid from a temperature of about 90 to about 160°C, from about 105 up to about 160°C, from about 115 up to about 160°C, or from about from about 130 up to about 160°C, and whereby during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

[0013] A variety of different mechanical vapour recompression devices can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the mechanical vapour recompression device is a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger. In certain embodiments, a thermal recompression device can be used in place of the mechanical vapour recompression device.

[0014] In certain embodiments of methods more than two flash coolers are used. For example, in one embodiment, the method includes cooling the heat-treated liquid using a first flash cooler, a second flash cooler, and a third flash cooler in series. In another embodiment, the method includes cooling the heat-treated liquid using a first flash cooler, a second flash cooler, a third flash cooler, and a fourth flash cooler in series.

[0015] The vapour in the methods of the disclosure contains water. In certain embodiments, the vapour contains more than 50% water.

[0016] A variety of different liquids can be used in the methods and plants of the disclosure. In certain embodiments, the liquid is a biological liquid. In other embodiments, the liquid is selected from the group consisting of milk, milk-based products, plant-based drinks, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious drinks. In further embodiments, the liquid is heat sensitive.

[0017] One embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a method of heat treating a liquid, e.g. , a fluid foodstuff including: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid and steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and4913-1966-4251.1 3steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; whereby the treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of up to about 160°C, for example, about 134 to about 150°C, and whereby during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the fluid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compresses the steam. In certain embodiments, other liquids are used.

[0018] In one embodiment, the method further includes pre-heating the liquid prior to treatment in the steam infusion chamber. In certain embodiments, the pre-heating includes a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheater placed in series; the first vapour preheating device is connected to the second vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device is connected to the infusion steam chamber. In some embodiments, the first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device heat the liquid by about 5 to 15°C or about I0°C.

[0019] In certain embodiments of the method, during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the fluid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compresses the steam and wherein steam is further diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device. In a further embodiment, during the cooling in the second flash cooler steam is extracted from the fluid and flash steam mixture and diverted from the second flash cooler to the first vapour preheating device.

[0020] The method can also include further processing steps. In certain embodiments, the method further includes cooling the heat-treated liquid and optionally packaging. In some embodiments, the heat treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of about 143°C. In other embodiments, the method includes pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 75°C.

[0021] In further embodiments, the liquid entering the first vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 55°C and wherein the liquid entering the second vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 65 °C. In further embodiments, the method includes cooling the solid liquid in the first flash cooler by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C. In other embodiments, the method also includes cooling the solid liquid in the second flash cooler by a about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25°C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0022] Another embodiment is a plant for heat treating a liquid including: a heat treatment apparatus 1 having a liquid inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus 1, a liquid outlet arranged at a bottom of the heat treatment apparatus 1, and a first steam inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus 1; a first flash cooler 10a having a liquid inlet at a top of4913-1966-4251.1 4the first flash cooler 10a and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the flash cooler 10a, wherein the liquid outlet of the heat treatment apparatus 1 is connected to the liquid inlet of the first flash cooler 10a by a conduit 9 and a pump 6; the first flash cooler 10a further including a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the first flash cooler 10a and connected to a first flash steam conduit 8, the first flash steam conduit 8 connected to an inlet of a compressor arrangement 16, the first flash steam conduit 8 being adapted for feeding the flash steam to the compressor arrangement 16, in which compressor arrangement 16 the flash steam is compressed, and a second flash steam conduit 14 connected to an outlet of the compressor arrangement 16, the second flash steam conduit 14 adapted for transferring the flash steam to the heat treatment apparatus 1; and a second flash cooler 10b having a liquid inlet at a top of the second flash cooler 10b and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the second flash cooler 10b, the inlet of the second flash cooler 10b is connected to outlet of the first flash cooler 10a, the liquid outlet of the second flash cooler 10b connected to a conduit 12 and a pump 13 for draining off liquid from the second flash cooler 10b, wherein the liquid is heat-treated by feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus 1, and wherein the live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1 by a live steam conduit 3 connected to the first steam inlet.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first flash cooler 10a is configured to cool the liquid by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C; and / orthe second flash cooler 10b is configured to cool the liquid by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25°C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to the live steam conduit 3. In other embodiments, the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to a second steam inlet arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus 1.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the compressor arrangement 16 includes a mechanical vapour recompression device. A variety of different mechanical recompression devices can be used. In certain embodiments, the mechanical recompression device is a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger.

[0026] In some embodiments, the plant further includes: a conduit 2 connected to the liquid inlet of the heat treatment apparatus 1, a first vapour preheating device 30 connected to the conduit downstream of the liquid inlet and also connected to the top of first flash cooler 10a via a steam conduit 28, a second vapour preheating device 34 connected to the conduit downstream of the first vapour preheating device 30, the second vapour preheating device 34 also connected to the top of the second flash cooler 10b via a steam conduit 28, wherein the steam conduit 28 is configured to pass steam from the first flash cooler 10a to first vapour4913-1966-4251.1 5preheating device 30, and wherein the steam conduit 32 is configured to pass steam from the second flash cooler 10b to second vapour preheating device 34.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the first vapour preheating device 30 is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the first flash cooler 10a. In other embodiments, the second vapour preheating device 34 is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the second flash cooler 10b. In some embodiments, the live steam is generated by a steam boiler 18, which can be adapted for providing steam to the turbocharger.

[0028] In other embodiments, the conduit 12 and pump 13 are adapted for transferring the liquid to an aseptic homogenizer 17. In some embodiments, the plant does not include a condenser 15 connected to an outlet of the first flash cooler 10a.

[0029] Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a method for operating an ultra-high temperature treatment plant with a heat treatment apparatus 1, in which liquid is subjected to heat treatment by live and / or flash steam including: feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus 1, feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus 1, removing the liquid from the heat treatment apparatus 1, feeding the liquid into a first flash cooler 10a, removing flash steam from the first flash cooler 10a, feeding the flash steam to a compressor arrangement 16, and transferring the liquid from the first flash cooler 10a to a second flash cooler 10b wherein the compressor arrangement 16 compresses the flash steam, where after the flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1. In some embodiments, the method further includes feeding flash steam from the first flash cooler 10a to a first vapour preheating device 30 and feeding flash steam from the second flash cooler 10b to a second vapour preheating device 34 to pre-heat the liquid prior to feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus 1. In some embodiments, at least two of the steps are executed simultaneously.

[0030] The heat treatment apparatus used in the plants and methods can be a steam infusion chamber or a steam injector device.

[0031] The plants and methods of the disclosure can be used with a variety of different liquids. In certain embodiments, the fluid is selected from the group consisting of milk, milk based products, plant-based drinks, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious drinks. In other embodiments of the disclosure, the liquid is heat sensitive. In further embodiments, the liquid is a biological liquid.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and examples that follow.4913-1966-4251.1 6BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended figures. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the figures demonstrate embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, examples, and instrumentalities shown.

[0034] FIG. 1 A is a schematic view of an embodiment of an ultra-high temperature treatment plant having a two-flash stage cooling.

[0035] FIG. IB is a schematic view of an embodiment of an ultra-high temperature treatment plant having a two-flash stage cooling with integrated preheating.

[0036] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of the infusion chamber and flash cooler arrangement of an embodiment of an ultra-high temperature treatment plant having a two-flash stage.

[0037] FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the infusion chamber and flash cooler arrangement of another embodiment of an ultra-high temperature treatment plant having a two-flash stage.

[0038] FIG. 3A shows a schematic view of the high temperature bleed setup, along with the conditions, tested in Example 1.

[0039] FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of the low temperature bleed set up, along with the conditions, tested in Example 1.

[0040] FIG 3C shows a schematic view of the two-stage flash set up, along with the conditions, tested in Example 1.

[0041] FIG. 3D shows a schematic view of the 90°C bleed for preheating setup, along with the conditions, tested in Example 1.

[0042] FIG. 3E shows a schematic view of the 2-stage flash integrated preheating set up, along with the conditions, tested in Example 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] This disclosure is based on the discovery that by changing existing UHT plants to include a dual flash cooler set up, the energy efficiency of the plant can be greatly improved (see Example 1 below for examples of improvements).

[0044] Generally, UHT systems use direct heating for the final heating step combined with a single flash cooler to return the product to the original temperature and dry matter. In a traditional implementation, direct steam is used for the heating and vapour from the flash cooler exiting is condensed in an indirect condenser.4913-1966-4251.1 7

[0045] The UHT systems of the disclosure use dual flash coolers placed in series. In particular, the UHT systems of the disclosure rely on mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) to reuse the vapour from the first flash cooler to provide the steam needed for the heating. The second flash cooler is placed downstream and in series of the first flash cooler. The mechanical vapour recompression device compresses the vapour to a higher pressure, viae.g., a mechanical fan, thereby enabling the latent heat of evapouration to be used at a higher temperature. As this compression process is both not 100% efficient and an adiabatic compression a part of the mechanical work is converted into heat instead of pressure, i.e., the recompressed steam is no longer saturated steam (superheated). To return the steam to a saturated state water is injected into the superheated steam. The amount of water needed is directly related to the efficiency of the compression process.

[0046] The net effect of the compression efficiency and de-superheating is a higher pressure steam than the amount of vapour fed into the MVR process. Energy consumption of the plants of the disclosure is reduced by only compressing the needed amount of vapour and not using the remaining available vapour. See FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B below. The energy consumption is also reduced by varying the compression ratio. As with all compression operations a higher compression ratio requires more power and is inherently more inefficient.

[0047] The UHT plants of the disclosure do not use vapour created in the flash cooler. Flashing is carried out at an intermediate temperature, doing so, and raising the suction temperature from the MVR process. In certain embodiments, this allows for reducing the amount of vapour to compress and more importantly raise the suction pressure (temperature) from which the MVR process is feed with vapour.

[0048] UHT plants of the disclosure provide the product leaving the flash cooler at both a higher temperature and a higher dry matter content than achievable using conventional methods. This necessitates an additional flash cooling step to obtain the target temperature and dry matter.

[0049] The general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the detailed description of the invention as provided herein.

[0050] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments, or applications of the present invention.4913-1966-4251.1 8Definitions

[0051] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, representative illustrative methods, and materials are now described.

[0052] All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and / or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be independently confirmed.

[0053] It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

[0054] Each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

[0055] As used herein, the term “about” when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ± 20% or ± 10%, more preferably ± 5%, even more preferably ± 1%, and still more preferably ± 0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods.

[0056] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0057] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing” and “characterized by” are exchangeable, inclusive, open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements4913-1966-4251.1 9or method steps. Any recitation herein of the term “comprising,” particularly in a description of components of a composition or in a description of elements of a device, is understood to encompass those compositions and methods consisting essentially of and consisting of the recited components or elements.

[0058] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0059] As used herein, the term “consisting of’ excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element.

[0060] Before certain embodiments are described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to certain embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing certain embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

[0061] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

[0062] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0063] Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.4913-1966-4251.1 10Heat treatment plants

[0064] This disclosure provides improved heat treatment plants having at least a dual flash cooler arrangement. The plants of the disclosure are based on the discovery that energy consumption can be reduced by replacing the single flash cooler in conventional UHT systems with dual flash coolers in series and then using vapour exiting the flash coolers to either preheat the liquid and / or the heat treatment apparatus, such as e.g. an infusion chamber. The plants of the disclosure can be used with a variety of different liquids. In certain embodiments, the fluid is selected from: milk, milk based products, plant-based drinks, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious drinks. In other embodiments of the disclosure, the liquid is heat sensitive. In further embodiments, the liquid is a biological liquid.

[0065] The plants of the disclosure generally include a heat treatment apparatus (e.g., a steam infusion chamber or a steam injector device) in which a liquid, such as e.g., a fluid foodstuff, is heat-treated. A variety of different heat treatment apparatus can be used. Suitable heat treatment infusion apparatuses include but are not limited to direct steam injection (DSI), external pre-heaters, direct pasteurizers and indirect pasteurizers, direct heaters such as but not limited to low thermophile heaters, mesophile heaters, or dead vapour heaters.

[0066] After the heat treatment, the heat-treated liquid passes through a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler placed in series. The first flash cooler is arranged so that flash steam can be removed and passed to a mechanical vapour recompression device. The heat treatment apparatus is configured to accept the compressed steam after it exists the mechanical vapour recompression device.

[0067] In certain embodiments, the plants of the disclosure are arranged so that flash steam from the first flash cooler and the second flash cooler can be used in vapour preheating. In other embodiments, the plants of the disclosure include three or more flash coolers. When there or more flash coolers are used, they can be placed before or after the first flash cooler and the second flash cooler.

[0068] In the two-stage flash embodiment, the plant includes two flash coolers. Vapour passing from the first flash cooler is compressed in an MVR and then injected into the infusion chamber.

[0069] In the two stage flash embodiment with integrated preheating embodiment, the plant contains two vapour preheating devices in series. The vapour preheating devices use vapour passing from the first flash cooler and second flash cooler to preheat the liquid. The first preheater is placed upstream of the second pre-heater, which is connected to the infusion chamber.4913-1966-4251.1 11The first pre-heater receives steam (vapour) from the second flash cooler (via a conduit) and uses that vapour (steam) to preheat liquid entering the plant. The second pre-heater receives steam from the first flash cooler (via a conduit) and uses that vapour (steam) to preheat liquid entering the plant (the vapour exits the first flash cooler and is split into the MVR and the first vapour preheating device).

[0070] In some embodiments, the two-state flash embodiment is further modified by including additional flash coolers. The additional flash coolers may be placed upstream of the first flash cooler and / or downstream of the second flash cooler.

[0071] The vapour generated by the plants of the disclosure contains water. In certain embodiments, the vapour includes at least 50% or more of water.

[0072] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a plant for ultra-high temperature treatment of liquid having a two-stage flash cooling. The liquid can be any foodstuff in liquid form. In certain embodiments, the plant is particularly useful for temperature sensitive foodstuff that should be heated for killing bacteria for a short period only so as to preserve their flavor, consistency, and nutritious qualities. Examples of such liquids include but are not limited to milk, milk based products, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious drinks. In certain embodiments, the liquid may have a high dry matter content (40% and higher) and / or high protein content (6% or higher).

[0073] The liquid is initially stored in a tank 22. The tank 22 is connected to a sterilization loop 23 in which the foodstuff is sterilized. The liquid is transferred from the tank 22 via a conduit 2 and pump 24 and pump 25 to a heat treatment apparatus 1. Conduit 2 is connected to a plate heat exchanger 26 for preheating the liquid from, for example about 5 °C to about 75°C. Other temperatures can be used for the pre-heating. Plate heat exchanger 26 is placed between pump 24 and pump 25.

[0074] The liquid enters the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, as a bundle of separate liquid foodstuff jets 7 through a plurality of openings in a nozzle at the top of the steam infusion chamber. Hot steam is injected into the steam infusion chamber through a steam inlet, e.g., a circumferential steam distribution chamber. In the steam infusion chamber the liquid foodstuff jets meet the hot steam, and the foodstuff is thereby heated and absorbs the steam. Depending on the use, the arrangement of the liquid foodstuff jets 7 can vary.

[0075] In certain embodiments, the liquid is heated to a temperature of about 130 to about 150°C, alternatively about 134 to about 150°C, alternatively about 140 to about 150°C, alternatively about 142 to about 147°C, alternatively above 134°C, alternatively about 143°C.4913-1966-4251.1 12

[0076] In further embodiments, the liquid during heat treatment is heated to a temperature of up to at least about 160°C, from about 130 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 135 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 140 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 90 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 105 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 115 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 130 up to about 160°C.

[0077] In certain embodiments, the preheating includes preheating the liquid to a temperature of about 75°C, alternatively about 90°C, alternatively about 105°C, alternatively about 115°C, alternatively about 130°C.

[0078] In other embodiments, the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, is essentially rotationally symmetrical around a vertical axis. The upper section of the heat treatment apparatus 1, e.g., the steam infusion chamber, has a hollow cylindrical part and a top part that is shaped similar to a conical frustum. A bottom section is releasably connected to the upper section by a flanged connection for allowing access to the interior of the heat treatment apparatus 1, e.g., the steam infusion chamber, for cleaning and / or maintenance. In an embodiment, the bottom section is shaped like a conical frustum.

[0079] The heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, is also connected to conduit 4 and conduit 5 used for feeding and removing liquid, e.g., water, for cooling the bottom of the heat treatment apparatus 1, respectively. A cooling jacket, connected to the conduit 4 and conduit 5, may be provided around the bottom section. The cooling jacket cools the bottom section cool to prevent or minimize the liquid that contacts the inner walls of the bottom section to foul or bum-on. The cooling jacket provides a mantle of cooling water or other cooling medium around the bottom section.

[0080] In certain embodiments, a spiral traverse wall that guides the cooling water in a spiral pattern around the bottom section divides the mantle. The cooling medium inlet passes through a pump housing and into a portion of the mantle that extends also into the pump housing. From the portion internal to the pump housing the spiral path of the cooling medium continues spirally upwards towards a cooling medium outlet, connected to conduit 5, at the top of the cooling jacket and near the top of the bottom section.

[0081] The liquid foodstuff jets end on the funnel shaped inner wall of the bottom section. The bottom section collects the liquid from the liquid foodstuff jets and guides it to the outlet opening at the lower end of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, which is also the lower end of the bottom section, and which is also the inlet of the pump 6. The lower portion of the bottom section forms the outlet opening of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, which, in one embodiment, connects4913-1966-4251.1 13seamlessly to the inlet of the pump 6 (so that the pump is an integral part of the infusion chamber), and is only connected to pump 6. This is, in one embodiment, achieved by the lower end of the bottom section made from steel plates, preferably stainless steel, and connected to the pump housing by welds. In another embodiment, the pump housing is provided with a circular ridge or circular upright flange that facilitates welding of the pump housing to the lower end of the bottom section. After welding, the transition between the bottom section and the pump housing / pump inlet formed by the welds is machined to provide a perfectly smooth surface without and cracks or fissures that could be difficult to clean or rinse.

[0082] The pump 6 may be a centrifugal pump or a positive displacement pump. The pump 6 is of a conventionally known type, e.g., a gear or lobe pump, and connected to the outlet of the heat treatment apparatus 1, e.g., steam infusion chamber. In certain embodiments, the housing of the pump 6 is provided with a temperature sensor at a location where the adjacent surface is kept clean of burnings using e.g., the teeth of the gear wheels or by the lobes of the rotors. In this manner, it is possible to ensure a reliable control of the plant. In another embodiment, the temperature sensor is a pin probe sensor located directly after the pump 6, at the start of conduit 9.

[0083] The outlet of the pump 6 is connected to the inlet of a flash cooler 10a, e.g., a vacuum flash cooling chamber, of a conventionally known type using a conduit 9. In an embodiment, conduit 9 includes a valve at the end of conduit 9, before flash cooler 10a.

[0084] The flash cooler 10a is adapted for removing the water added to the fluid foodstuff during heat treatment in the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., the steam infusion chamber. The excess water, added by the steam during the heat treatment, is removed through a steam conduit 8. The liquid then passes to flash cooler 10b which is connected to flash cooler 10a. Like flash cooler 10a, flash cooler 10b is adapted for removing the water added to the liquid during heat treatment in the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., the steam infusion chamber. A result of the removal of the water, liquid is cooled in both flash cooler 10a and flash cooler 10b. In flash cooler 10a, the liquid is cooled by about 45 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 50 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 55 °C. The product then passes from flash cooler 10a to the flash cooler 10b, where the product is further cooled by about 10 to about 20°C, alternatively by about 15 to about 25°C. In one embodiment, the product leaves the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, at a temperature of about 143°C, passes to flash cooler 10a where it is cooled to about 88°C, and then passes to flash cooler 10b where it is cooled to about 75°C.4913-1966-4251.1 14

[0085] Subsequently, the concentrated liquid is drained off through a conduit 12 and a pump 13 in a conventionally known manner and is then preferably transferred to an aseptic homogenizer 17. Thereafter, the homogenized liquid is further cooled using one or several plate heat exchangers 21, from about 75 °C down to about 20 °C, and transferred to a storage unit 19 or a packaging process.

[0086] The plate heat exchanger 21 and plate heat exchanger 26 are connected in a continuous heating / cooling loop, along with a water heater 27, which heats the heating water just before it enters plate heat exchanger 26, which functions to preheat the liquid.

[0087] The heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, has a liquid inlet arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber (z.e., an upper section of the steam infusion chamber), a liquid outlet arranged at the bottom of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber (z.e., a lower section of the steam infusion chamber), and a first steam inlet also arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber. Heat-sensitive liquid is fed to the liquid inlet via conduit 2, and is subjected to heat treatment, within the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, by feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber.

[0088] As used herein, the phrase “live steam” refers to steam, which is generated, e.g. , using a steam boiler, to operate the flash vessel. As used herein, the phase “flash steam” refers to steam which is recovered from the flash vessel.

[0089] The live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, through the first steam inlet, using a live steam conduit 3. The other end of the steam conduit 3 is connected to a steam boiler. A steam boiler produces steam at about 7-15 bar. The steam which is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, has a pressure of about 5 bar. A control valve may therefore be used to throttle back the amount of steam and create a pressure drop from 7-15 bar and down to 5 bar. In a specific embodiment, a turbocharger reuses this pressure drop as power driving the turbocharger.

[0090] The flash cooler 10a has a liquid inlet at the top of the flash cooler 10a (z.e., an upper section of the flash cooler) and a liquid outlet at the bottom of the flash cooler 10a (i.e., a lower section of the flash cooler, as seen when the flash vessel is arranged such that it extends essentially vertically the flash cooler). The flash cooler 10b has a liquid inlet at the top of the flash cooler 10b and a liquid outlet at the bottom of meant a lower section of the flash cooler, as seen when the flash vessel is arranged such that it extends essentially vertically the flash cooler 10b.4913-1966-4251.1 15

[0091] The liquid outlet of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, is connected to the liquid inlet of the flash cooler 10a via conduit 9 and a pump 6. The liquid outlet of the flash cooler 10b is connected to a conduit 12 and a pump 13 for draining off liquid from the flash cooler 10b.

[0092] The flash cooler 10a includes a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the flash cooler 10a. The flash steam outlet is connected to a first flash steam conduit 8. As the flash steam exits the flash cooler 10b, in certain embodiments, it has a temperature of about 75°C and an absolute pressure which is about 0.3 bar (a). The flash cooler 10b also includes a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the flash cooler 10b.

[0093] The first flash steam conduit 8 is connected to the inlet of the compressor arrangement 16 and is used for feeding the flash steam from the flash cooler 10a to the compressor arrangement 16. The flash steam is thereafter compressed within the compressor arrangement, to about 5-7 bar and a temperature of about 150°C. In certain embodiments, the compressor arrangement is a mechanical vapour recompression device.

[0094] The outlet of the compressor arrangement 16 is connected to a second flash steam conduit 14 which is used for transferring the flash steam to the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, In one embodiment, the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to the live steam conduit 3 such that live steam and flash steam is mixed before entering the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, through the first steam inlet. In another embodiment, the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected directly to a second steam inlet arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber. In this embodiment, live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, through the first steam inlet and flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, through the second steam inlet. In certain embodiments, both embodiments may be combined.

[0095] Further, the second flash steam conduit 14 may be connected to a thermal vapour recompression device 20, also known as a TVR. If the flash steam, when leaving the compressor arrangement 16, has a pressure under 5 bar, e.g., 4 bar, thermal vapour recompression may be used to compress the flash steam further up to 5 bar. The thermal vapour recompression device 20 is connected to the second flash steam conduit 14 and to the live steam conduit 3. The thermal vapour recompression device compresses the flash steam by a maximum of 1 bar. In an alternate embodiment, a mechanical vapour recompression device 20a (not shown) can be used in place of thermal recompression device. Like the recompression device 20, the mechanical vapour recompression device 20a is connected to the second flash4913-1966-4251.1 16steam conduit 14 and to the live steam conduit 3. The mechanical vapour recompression device compresses the flash steam by a maximum of 1 bar.

[0096] The compressor arrangement 16 includes one compression device 16a. In other embodiments, the compressor arrangement includes at least compression device 16a and compression device 16b connected in series. When connected in series, the flash steam conduit 8 is connected to the inlet of a compression device 16a, and the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to the outlet of a compression device 16b. Otherwise, the flash steam conduit 8 is connected to the inlet of the compression device 16a, and the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to the outlet of the same compression device 16a.

[0097] The compression device 16a and / or compression device 16b can be a steam compressor, a heat pump, or a turbine. A turbine may be more efficient in transferring high volumes. The compression device 16a and / or 16b can also include a mechanical vapour recompression device, such as a turbocharger, which is powered by steam provided by the previously mentioned control valve / steam boiler. The turbocharger may increase the energy savings further, since the energy used to drive the turbocharger is “free.” The steam pressure from the steam boiler is, as previously mentioned, much higher than that which is needed in the heat treatment apparatus 1 (e.g., an infusion chamber).

[0098] The compressor arrangement 16 may comprise two identical kinds of compression devices, such as two steam compressors, or two different kinds of compression devices, such as a steam compressor and a turbine.

[0099] The first flash steam conduit 8 is also connected to a condenser conduit 11. The condenser conduit 11 is connected to a condenser 15 and feeds the flash steam to the condenser 15. The flash steam is cooled in the condenser and then released into the atmosphere.

[0100] In certain embodiments, the heat treatment apparatus 1 is a steam injector device instead of a steam infusion chamber. The steam injector device heats the foodstuff by mixing foodstuff from conduit 2 with steam from second flash steam conduit 14 and / or conduit 3 inside the steam injector device. In these embodiments, the dual flash vessel embodiments are maintained.

[0101] FIG. IB shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an ultra-high temperature treatment plant having a two-flash stage cooling with integrated preheating. In general, the arrangement of the ultra-high temperature treatment plant that has two-flash stage cooling with integrated preheating is identical to the plant shown in FIG. 1A except that the plant also contains vapour preheating device 30, which is connected to flash cooler 10a via steam conduit 28, and vapour preheating device 34, which is connected to flash cooler 10b via steam conduit4913-1966-4251.1 1732. As shown in FIG. IB, steam conduit 28 and steam conduit 32 are a bypass, i.e., they are not connected to the infusion chamber and go around the heat treatment apparatus 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. IB, steam conduit 28 and steam conduit 32 pass behind the heat treatment apparatus 1. Alternatively, steam conduit 28 and steam conduit 32 pass in front of the heat treatment apparatus 1.

[0102] The vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 are connected to the conduit 2 and a placed in series such that liquid passes through vapour preheating device 34 and then vapour preheating device 30 on its way to heat treatment apparatus 1, such as a steam infusion chamber (i.e., vapour preheating device 30 is upstream of vapour preheating device 34). In certain embodiments, the arrangement of vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 can be flipped. The vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 are downstream of plate heat exchanger 26.

[0103] In the arrangement shown in FIG. IB, the vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 are also downstream of pump 25. In certain embodiments, the vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 can be placed upstream of the pump.

[0104] The liquid is initially stored in a tank 22. The tank 22 is connected to a sterilization loop 23 in which the foodstuff is sterilized. The liquid is transferred from the tank 22 via a conduit 2 and pumps 24, 25 to a heat treatment apparatus 1. Conduit 2 is connected to a plate heat exchanger 26 for preheating the liquid from about 5 °C to about 55 °C. Plate heat exchanger 26 is placed between pump 24 and pump 25. The liquid is transferred from plate heat exchanger 26 to vapour preheating device 34 and then vapour preheating device 30 using conduit 2.

[0105] In vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34, the liquid is further heated to a temperature of about 75 °C. In certain embodiments, vapour preheating device 34, the liquid is preheated from about 55°C to about 65°C. The liquid is then transferred to vapour preheating device 30. In one embodiment, the foodstuff entering the plant is preheated from about 65°C to about 75°C in vapour preheating device 30. In embodiments, each of the vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 is configured to increase the temperature of the liquid by about 5 to 15 °C, alternatively by about 10°C, alternatively by about 7 to about 12°C.

[0106] The preheated liquid then is transferred to heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, where the liquid is heat-treated as described in FIG. 1A. After heat treatment, the heat-treated liquid is transferred to flash cooler 10a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. IB, the flash cooler 10a has two steam conduits. The excess water, added by the steam during the heat treatment, is removed through steam conduit 8 and steam conduit 28. As4913-1966-4251.1 18described in FIG. 1A, the steam passing through the steam conduit 8 is compressed in compression device 16a and then injected into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber. A fraction of the steam is also transferred via steam conduit 28 to vapour preheating device 30, where the steam energy is used to heat the liquid as it passes through vapour preheating device 30. After cooling in flash cooler 10a, the heat-treated liquid passes to flash cooler 10b, where it is further cooled. Like flash cooler 10a, flash cooler 10b has a steam conduit 32 for removing excess water, added by the steam during the heat treatment. The steam conduit 32 is connected vapour preheating device 34, where the steam energy is used to heat the liquid as it passes through vapour preheating device 30.

[0107] In other embodiments, the vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 are connected loop between plate heat exchanger 21 and plate heat exchanger 26.

[0108] FIG. 2A shows a schematic showing the arrangement of the infusion chamber and two-stage flash cooler in a UHT plant. The UHT plant can have the general set up shown in FIG. 1A. In other embodiments, the chamber is a direct steam injection (DSI) chamber. Suitable heat treatment infusion apparatuses include but are not limited to direct steam injection (DSI), external pre-heaters, direct pasteurizers and indirect pasteurizers, direct heaters such as but not limited to low thermophile heaters, mesophile heaters, or dead vapour heaters.

[0109] FIG. 2A shows infusion chamber 200 which is connected to flash cooler 220, which in turn is connected to flash cooler 230. Product leaves infusion chamber 200 and is passed to flash cooler 220. In flash cooler 220, the product is partially cooled. The vapour (steam) generated in flash cooler 220 is passed to mechanical vapour recompression device 210 which is injects the steam back into infusion chamber 200 where the same is used for heating the infusion. Flash cooler 220 is connected to pump 240 to flash cooler 230 where the product is further cooled. The pump 240 pumps the product from an outlet of flash cooler 220 to an inlet of flash cooler 230.

[0110] In certain embodiments, the product leaving the infusion chamber 200 is cooled in flash cooler 220 by about 30 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 50 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 55°C, alternatively by about 35 to about 45°C. The product then passes (i.e. is pumped) from flash cooler 220 to the flash cooler 230, where the product is further cooled by about 10 to about 20°C, alternatively by about 15 to about 25 °C, or about 5 to about 10°C. In one embodiment, the product leaves the infusion chamber at a temperature of about 143°C, passed to flash cooler 220 where it is cooled to about 88°C, and then it is passed (pumped) to flash cooler 230 where it is cooled to about 75 °C.4913-1966-4251.1 19

[0111] FIG. 2B shows a schematic showing the arrangement of the infusion chamber and two-stage flash cooler in a UHT plant. The UHT plant can have the general set up shown in FIG. 1A. In certain embodiments, other infusion chamber configurations can also be used. The arrangement shown in FIG. 2B builds on the arrangement shown in FIG. 2A and includes the added features of two vapour preheating devices (vapour preheating device 250 and vapour preheating device 260) placed in series upstream of the infusion chamber 200. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2B uses vapour from flash coolers to preheat the infusion chamber in addition to the vapour being passed directly into the infusion chamber.

[0112] As with the arrangement shown in FIG. 2A, infusion chamber 200 in FIG. 2B is connected to flash cooler 220, which in turn is connected to flash cooler 230. Product (liquid) leaves infusion chamber 200 and is passed to flash cooler 220. In flash cooler 220, the product is partially cooled. The vapour (steam) generated in flash cooler 220 is passed to mechanical vapour recompression device 210 which is injects the steam back into infusion chamber 200 where the same is used for heating the infusion. Vapour generated by flash cooler 220 is also passed via loop 270 into vapour preheating device 260 where the vapour is used to preheat water entering the infusion chamber 200. Flash cooler 220 is connected to pump 240 which in turn is connected to flash cooler 230; the product is further cooled in flash cooler 230. Flash cooler 230 is connected to vapour preheating device 250 via loop 280. Vapour passes from flash cooler through loop 280 to vapour preheating device 250. Vapour preheating device 250 is upstream of vapour preheating device 260. The vapour passing to vapour preheating device 250 is used to preheat liquid before entering vapour preheating device 260.

[0113] In certain embodiments of the process line shown in FIG. 2B, the product leaving the infusion chamber 200 is cooled in flash cooler 220 by about 45 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 50 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 55°C. The product then passes from flash cooler 220 to the flash cooler 230, where the product is further cooled by about 10 to about 20°C, alternatively by about 15 to about 25 °C. In one embodiment, the product leaves the infusion chamber at a temperature of about 143°C, passed to flash cooler 220 where it is cooled to about 88°C, and then it is passed to flash cooler 230 where it is cooled to about 75°C. In vapour preheating device 250, the liquid entering the plant is preheated from about 55°C to about 65°C. In vapour preheating device 250 liquid entering the plant is preheated from about 65°C to about 75°C. In embodiments, each of the preheaters is configured to increase the temperature of the liquid by about 5 to 15°C, alternatively by about 10°C, alternatively by about 7 to about 12°C.4913-1966-4251.1 20

[0114] In certain embodiments of the process line, the preheaters are configured so that the liquid is pre-heated to a temperature of about 75°C, about 90°C, about 105°C, about 115°C, or about 130°C prior to heat treatment.

[0115] In the two-stage flash embodiment, the plant includes a vapour preheating device. The vapour preheating device uses vapour passing from the first flash cooler to preheat the liquid (the vapour exits the first flash cooler and is split into the MVR and the first vapour preheating device).

[0116] In the two stage flash embodiment with integrated preheating, the plant has two vapour preheating devices in series. The first vapour preheating device is placed upstream of the second vapour preheating device which is connected to the infusion chamber. The first vapour preheating device receives steam (vapour) from the second flash cooler (via a conduit) and uses that vapour (steam) to preheat liquid entering the plant. The second vapour preheating device receives steam from the first flash cooler (via a conduit) and uses that vapour (steam) to preheat liquid entering the plant.

[0117] The two stage flash with integrated preheating embodiment, uses the same operating conditions as for the two stage flash embodiment, with the following differences. As the two stage flash with integrated preheating embodiment also includes a further vapour preheating device, there are further process parameters. In the two stage flash with integrated preheating embodiment, the second flash heater is connected via conduit to a further vapour preheating device placed upstream. The rate of the vapour passing from the second flash cooler to this preheater is about 120 kg / hr, alternatively from about 100 to about 150 kg / hr. The first flash cooler is similarly connected to the other preheater. The rate of the vapour passing from the first flash cooler to this preheater is about 120 kg / hr, alternatively from about 100 to about 150 kg / hr.

[0118] The two stage flash embodiments can be modified by including further flash coolers. The rate of the vapour passing between the flash coolers can also be adjusted depending on the contemplated use.

[0119] One embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a plant for heat treating a liquid having: a heat treatment apparatus 1 with a liquid inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus 1, a liquid outlet arranged at a bottom of the heat treatment apparatus 1, and a first steam inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus 1; a first flash cooler 10a having a liquid inlet at a top of the first flash cooler 10a and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the flash cooler 10a, wherein the liquid outlet of the heat treatment apparatus 1 is connected to the liquid inlet of the first flash cooler 10a by a conduit 9 and a pump 6. Alternatively, the first flash cooler4913-1966-4251.1 2110a has a liquid inlet at a side of the first flash cooler 10a and a liquid outlet at the opposite side or bottom of the flash cooler 10a. The first flash cooler 10a also includes: a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the first flash cooler 10a and connected to a first flash steam conduit 8, the first flash steam conduit 8 connected to an inlet of a compressor arrangement 16, the first flash steam conduit 8 being adapted for feeding the flash steam to the compressor arrangement 16, in which the flash steam is compressed, and a second flash steam conduit 14 connected to an outlet of the compressor arrangement 16, the second flash steam conduit 14 adapted for transferring the flash steam to the heat treatment apparatus 1. The plant also includes a second flash cooler 10b having a liquid inlet at a top of the second flash cooler 10b and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the second flash cooler 10b, the inlet of the second flash cooler 10b is connected to outlet of the first flash cooler 10a, the liquid outlet of the second flash cooler 10b connected to a conduit 12 and a pump 13 for draining off liquid from the second flash cooler 10b, whereby the liquid is heat-treated by feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus 1, and wherein the live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1 by a live steam conduit 3 connected to the first steam inlet. Alternatively, flash cooler 10b has a liquid inlet at a side of the second flash cooler 10b and a liquid outlet at an opposite side or bottom of the second flash cooler 10b.

[0120] In certain embodiments, a pump is placed between the first flash cooler 10a and the second flash cooler 10b. The pump is connected to the outlet of the first flash cooler 10a on one side and the inlet of the second flash cooler 10b. Thus, fluid leaving the first flash cooler 10a is pumped into the second flash cooler 10b cooler.

[0121] In certain embodiments, the first flash cooler 10a is configured to cool the liquid by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C; and / or the second flash cooler 10b is configured to cool the liquid by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25 °C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0122] The second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to the live steam conduit 3. In some embodiments, the second flash steam conduit 14 is connected to a second steam inlet arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus 1.

[0123] In some embodiments, the flash coolers can be conventional flash coolers having an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other side. The inlet and outlet can be on opposite sides of the flash cooler.

[0124] In certain embodiments, the compressor arrangement 16 includes a mechanical vapour recompression device. Examples of suitable mechanical recompression device include a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger.4913-1966-4251.1 22

[0125] In certain embodiments, the plant also includes: a conduit 2 connected to the liquid inlet of the heat treatment apparatus 1; a first vapour preheating device 30 connected to the conduit downstream of the liquid inlet and also connected to the top of first flash cooler 10a via a steam conduit 28; a second vapour preheating device 34 connected to the conduit downstream of the first vapour preheating device 30; and the second vapour preheating device 34 also connected to the top of the second flash cooler 10b via a steam conduit 28. In these embodiments, the steam conduit 28 is configured to pass steam from the first flash cooler 10a to first vapour preheating device 30, and the steam conduit 32 is configured to pass steam from the second flash cooler 10b to second vapour preheating device 34.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first vapour preheating device 30 is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the first flash cooler 10a. In other embodiments, the second vapour preheating device 34 is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the second flash cooler 10b.

[0127] In some embodiments, the live steam is generated by a steam boiler 18. In other embodiments, the steam boiler 18 is adapted for providing steam to the turbocharger.

[0128] In some embodiments, the conduit 12 and pump 13 are adapted for transferring the liquid to an aseptic homogenizer 17. In other embodiments, the plant does not include a condenser 15 connected to an outlet of the first flash cooler 10a.

[0129] In one embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 1 is a steam infusion chamber. In another embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 1 is a steam injector device.

[0130] The temperature at each stage can vary.

[0131] In certain embodiments, the plant includes a third flash cooler. In certain embodiment in which a higher temperature steam is desired, the third flash cooler (e.g., a small flash vessel) is placed before the flash cooler connected to the recompression device. This configuration could also be reversed with an intermediate flash cooler between the one that feeds the recompression and the final flash cooler that gives the final temperature. In other embodiments, the plant includes more than three flash coolers based in series.Methods of heat treating liquids

[0132] The disclosure also includes methods of operating the UHT plant as well as methods of heat treating liquids, such as e.g. , fluid foodstuff. The methods of the disclosure can be used with a variety of different liquids. In certain embodiments, the liquid is selected from milk, milk based products, plant-based drinks, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious4913-1966-4251.1 23drinks. In other embodiments of the disclosure, the liquid is heat sensitive. In further embodiments, the liquid is a biological liquid.

[0133] An aspect of the disclosure is directed to methods of heat treating liquids. The methods generally include heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a heat treatment apparatus (such as e.g. an infusion chamber); and cooling the heat-treated liquid using at least a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series. The methods require that during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. In preferred embodiments, the methods require that during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

[0134] The methods can include further method steps. For example, in some embodiments, the methods include pre-heating the liquid prior to treatment in the heat treatment apparatus. The methods can also include cooing the liquid after heat treatment and packaging. In certain embodiments, the methods also include cooling the heat-treated liquid and optionally packaging.

[0135] In certain embodiments, the pre-heating includes a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheating device placed in series, the first vapour preheating device being connected to the second vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device being connected to the heat treatment apparatus. The pre-heating in the devices can be stepwise or the same temperature is used. In certain embodiments, the first vapour preheating device and / or the second vapour preheating device heat the liquid by about 5 to 15 °C or about 10°C.

[0136] The methods of the disclosure reuse the flash stream to reduce energy consumption. In certain embodiments, during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device and flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. In other embodiments, during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device and flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. In other embodiments, during the cooling in the second flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted from the second flash cooler to the first vapour preheating device. In certain embodiments, the flash steam is pumped from the first flash cooler to the second flash cooler.4913-1966-4251.1 24

[0137] A variety of different temperature ranges can be used. In certain embodiments, the methods of the disclosure include heat treating the liquid to a temperature of up to about 160°C. In some embodiments, the liquid is pre-heated to a temperature of about 75°C, about 90°C, about 105°C, about 115°C, or about 130°C prior to heat treatment. In certain embodiment, during heat treatment, the liquid is heated from about 130 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 135 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 140 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 90 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 105 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 115 up to about 160°C, alternatively from about 130 up to about 160°C.

[0138] In some embodiments, the liquid entering the first vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 55 °C and / or the liquid entering the second vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 65 °C. In other embodiments, the methods include cooling the liquid in the first flash cooler by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C. In further embodiments, the methods also include cooling the liquid in the second flash cooler by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25°C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0139] In some embodiments, the methods include heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid stuff and flash steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series. In some embodiments, the treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of about 90 to up to about 160°C, from about 105 up to about 160°C, from about 115 up to about 160°C, or from about from about 130 up to about 160°C, and during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. In further embodiments, the treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of about 90 to up to about 160°C, from about 105 up to about 160°C, from about 115 up to about 160°C, or from about from about 130 up to about 160°C, and during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

[0140] Depending on the embodiment, the vapour recompression device is a mechanical vapour recompression device. In some embodiments, the mechanical vapour recompression device is a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger. In other embodiments, the vapour recompression device is athermal recompression device.

[0141] In additional embodiments, the methods include cooling the heat-treated liquid using a first flash cooler, a second flash cooler, and a third flash cooler in series.4913-1966-4251.1 25

[0142] The vapour (flash steam) that is circulated back includes water. In certain embodiments, the vapour (flash steam) contains more than 50% water.

[0143] In one embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus is a steam infusion chamber. Thus, in certain embodiments, the methods of the disclosure include at least the following steps: treating pre-heated liquid (e.g., a fluid foodstuff) in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid and steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series. In some embodiments of the methods of the disclosure the liquid is heat-treated to atemperature of about 134 to about 150°C and during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the fluid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compresses the steam.

[0144] In the methods of the disclosure the first flash cooler is upstream of the second flash cooler. In other embodiments, the methods include pumping the liquid from the first flash cooler into the second flash cooler.

[0145] The methods include pre-heating the liquid prior to heat treatment. In certain embodiments, the pre-heating is achieved using only a single preheater, for example, a plate heat exchanger, such as e.g., plate heat exchanger 26 shown in FIG. 1 A. In other embodiments, the pre-heating is achieved using a preheater (such as e.g., plate heat exchanger 26), a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheating device.

[0146] In other embodiments, the pre-heating includes a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheating device. The first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device are placed in serious with the first vapour preheating device connected to the second vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device connected to the infusion steam chamber. The first vapour preheating device is upstream of the second vapour preheating device. In certain embodiments, the methods include pre-heating the liquid in the first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device. In one embodiment, the first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device heat the liquid by about 5 to 15°C or about I0°C.

[0147] The methods include reusing energy used during the heat-treating. Accordingly, the methods require that during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the fluid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compresses the steam.

[0148] In certain embodiments, when the first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device are used in the method, during the cooling in the first flash cooler,4913-1966-4251.1 26flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compresses the steam and the steam is further diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device. In another embodiment, during the cooling in the second flash cooler steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted from the second flash cooler to the first vapour preheating device.

[0149] The methods include further cooling the heat-treated liquid after the flash cooler. In certain embodiments, the methods also include packaging the heat-treated liquid.

[0150] In other embodiments, the liquid is preheated to a temperature of about 75 °C . In other embodiments, the treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of about 143°C.

[0151] In some embodiments, the liquid entering the first vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 55°C and the liquid entering the second vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 65 °C.

[0152] The methods of the disclosure rely on stepwise cooling in the flash coolers. In some embodiments, the methods include cooling the solid liquid in the first flash cooler by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C. In other embodiments, the methods include cooling the solid liquid in the second flash cooler by a about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25°C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0153] In one embodiment, the method includes: preheating liquid; heat treating the preheated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid and steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series.

[0154] A variety of operating conditions may be used to operate the plant. In certain embodiments of the methods, the flow rate of the liquid to the infusion chamber is from about 12000 to about 16000 kg / hr, alternatively from about 10000 to about 20000 kg / hr, alternatively from about 13000 to about 15000 kg / hr, alternatively about 14000 kg / hr. This flow rate does not change if the UHT plant includes vapour preheating.

[0155] In certain embodiments, the temperature of the liquid entering the heat treatment apparatus, such as e.g., the infusion chamber, is about 75°C, alternatively from about 60 to about 80°C. In embodiments in which the plant only includes one preheater, the liquid is preheated from about 65°C to about 75°C, alternatively from about 60 to about 80°C. In embodiments in which the plant includes two preheaters, the second preheater is placed in front of the first, and the liquid is preheated from about 55 to about 65 °C, alternatively from about 55 to about 65 °C. In certain embodiments, the preheaters are configured to increase the4913-1966-4251.1 27temperature of the liquid by about 5 to 15 °C, alternatively by about 10°C, alternatively by about 7 to about 12°C.

[0156] In the two-stage flash embodiment, the flow rate of the vapour from first flash cooler to the mechanical vapour recompression device is about 1500 kg / hr, alternatively from about 1200 kg / hr to about 1700 kg / hr. The flow rate of the vapour back to the heat treatment apparatus is about 1700 kg / hr, alternatively about 1715 kg / hr, alternatively from about 1650 kg / hr to about 1750 kg hr, alternatively from about 1700 kg / hr to 1730 kg / hr. In the first flash cooler, the liquid is cooled by about 45 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 50 to about 60°C, alternatively by about 55°C. In the second flash cooler, the liquid further cooled by about 10 to about 20°C, alternatively by about 15 to about 25 °C.

[0157] In certain embodiments, the UHT plant is operated using the following method. The method includes a number of steps, executed in a continuous loop. However, at least two of these steps are executed simultaneously.

[0158] Liquid is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, Simultaneously, live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, through a first steam inlet and flash steam is fed through the first steam inlet or the second steam inlet, such that the liquid is heat-treated by the live steam and the flash steam. After heat treatment, the liquid is removed from the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., a steam infusion chamber, and fed into flash cooler 10a and flash cooler 10b, which are connected in series. In some embodiments, the liquid is pumped from flash cooler 10a into flash cooler 10b. After treatment, condensed liquid is removed from the lower section of the flash cooler 10a and passed to the upper section of flash cooler 10b. Simultaneously, flash steam is removed from the upper section of the flash cooler 10a. The flash steam is thereafter fed to a compressor arrangement 16. The compressor arrangement 16 compresses the flash steam from about -0.7 bar (g) to about 5 bars. In certain embodiments, the flash steam is compressed incrementally using two compressor devices, compression device 16a and compression device 16b, connected in series.

[0159] After compression, the flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., an infusion chamber. In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of feeding the flash steam through a thermal vapour recompression device 20, after having compressed the flash steam in the compressor arrangement 16 and prior to feeding the flash steam into the steam heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., an infusion chamber. In another embodiment, a mechanical vapour compression device is used in place of the thermal vapour recompression device 20. When a mechanical vapour compression device is used, the method further includes4913-1966-4251.1 28the step of feeding the flash steam through a mechanical vapour recompression device, after having compressed the flash steam in the compressor arrangement 16 and prior to feeding the flash steam into the steam heat treatment apparatus 1, such as e.g., an infusion chamber.

[0160] In embodiments of the method, the method includes preheating the liquid. In certain embodiments, the method includes preheating the liquid using vapour preheating device 30 and vapour preheating device 34 which are placed in series, with vapour preheating device 34 upstream of vapour preheating device 30. Vapour preheating device 34 receives steam exiting the upper section of flash cooler 10b, where energy of the vapour is used to preheat the liquid as it passes through vapour preheating device 34 into vapour preheating device 30. Vapour preheating device 30 receives steam exiting the flash cooler 10a, such as from the upper section of flash cooler 10a. The energy of the vapour is used to preheat the liquid as it passes through vapour preheating device 30.

[0161] One embodiment of the disclosure is a method for operating an ultra-high temperature treatment plant with a heat treatment apparatus 1, in which liquid is subjected to heat treatment by live and / or flash steam including: feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus 1, feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus 1, removing the liquid from the heat treatment apparatus 1, feeding the liquid into a first flash cooler 10a, removing flash steam from the first flash cooler 10a, feeding the flash steam to a compressor arrangement 16, and transferring the liquid from the first flash cooler 10a to a second flash cooler 10b wherein the compressor arrangement 16 compresses the flash steam, where after the flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus 1.

[0162] In certain embodiments, the method includes feeding flash steam from the first flash cooler 10a to a first vapour preheating device 30 and feeding flash steam from the second flash cooler 10b to a second vapour preheating device 34 to pre-heat the liquid prior to feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus 1.

[0163] Many of the steps of the method may be performed simultaneously. In one embodiment, at least two of the steps of the method are executed simultaneously. In one embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 1 is a steam infusion chamber. In another embodiment, the heat treatment apparatus 1 is a steam injector device. Other examples of suitable chambers are direct steam injection (DSI), external pre-heaters, direct pasteurizers and indirect pasteurizers, direct heaters such as but not limited to, low thermophile heater, mesophile heater, or dead vapour heater.

[0164] While the invention has been described and illustrated herein by references to various specific materials, procedures, and examples, it is understood that the invention is not restricted4913-1966-4251.1 29to the particular combinations of material and procedures selected for that purpose. Numerous variations of such details can be implied as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary, only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. All references, patents, and patent applications referred to in this application are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0165] Without further description, it is believed that one of ordinary skill in the art can, using the preceding description and the following illustrative examples, make and utilize the present invention and practice the claimed methods. The following working examples, therefore, specifically point out the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting in any way the remainder of the disclosure.ExamplesEXAMPLE 1 - Comparison of Power Consumption

[0166] The power consumption of various infusion MVR set ups was tested and compared. Specifically, the following setups were tested: high temperature bleed; low temperature bleed; two stage flash; 90°C bleed for preheating setup; and 2 stage flash with integrated preheating. Schematics of each of these set ups around with the conditions are shown in FIG. 3A to 3E, respectively. FIG. 3D and FIG. 3E shows examples of energy optimization related to the preheating of the product before entering the direct heating step both with and without a 2-stage flash solution. The results of this testing are shown in Table 1-1 below.4913-1966-4251.1 30

[0167] As shown in Table 1-1 above, the highest total power consumption was for the high temperature bleed set up. The lowest power consumptions were for the two stage flash set up and the 2 stage flash with integrated heating set up. Employing a two-stage flash set up results in about a 40% reduction in the total energy consumption compared to a high energy temperature bleed. Similarly, employing a two-stage flash set up with integrated heating results in about a 33% reduction in the total energy consumption compared to a high energy temperature bleed.

[0168] The testing in this example shows that the UHT processes and plants of the disclosure are significantly more efficient. For example, the set up shown in FIG. 3C, the overall needed compression ratio is reduced by 1.68 and the pressure increases from 0.386 bar(a) to 0.650 bar(a).EMBODIMENTS

[0169] The invention also provides the following non-limiting embodiments.

[0170] Embodiment 1 is a method of heat treating liquid comprising: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a heat treatment apparatus; and cooling the heat-treated liquid using at least a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. Embodiment 1c is a method of heat treating liquid comprising: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a heat treatment apparatus; and cooling the heat-treated liquid using at least a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a mechanical vapour recompression4913-1966-4251.1 31device to compress the flash steam. Embodiment la is a method of heat treating liquid comprising: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a heat treatment apparatus; and cooling the heat-treated liquid using at least a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a mechanical or thermal vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

[0171] Embodiment 2 is the method of embodiment 1 , wherein the method further comprises pre-heating the liquid prior to treatment in the heat treatment apparatus.

[0172] Embodiment 3 is the method of embodiment 2, wherein the pre-heating comprises a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheating device placed in series, the first vapour preheating device being connected to the second vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device being connected to the heat treatment apparatus.

[0173] Embodiment 4 is the method of embodiment 3, wherein the first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device heat the liquid by about 5 to 15 °C or about 10°C.

[0174] Embodiment 5 is the method of any one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device and flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a vapour recompression device to compress the steam.

[0175] Embodiment 6 is the method of embodiment 5, wherein during the cooling in the second flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted from the second flash cooler to the first vapour preheating device.

[0176] Embodiment 7 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the method further comprises cooling the heat-treated liquid and optionally packaging.

[0177] Embodiment 8 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the heat treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of up to about 160°C.

[0178] Embodiment 9 is the method of any one of embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 75°C.

[0179] Embodiment 10 is the method of any one of embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 90°C.

[0180] Embodiment 11 is the method of any one of embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 105°C.

[0181] Embodiment 12 is the method of any one of embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 115°C.4913-1966-4251.1 32

[0182] Embodiment 13 is the method of any one of embodiments 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 130°C.

[0183] Embodiment 14 is the method of any one of embodiments 9 to 13, wherein the liquid entering the first vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 55 °C and wherein the liquid entering the second vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 65°C.

[0184] Embodiment 15 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the method comprises cooling the liquid in the first flash cooler by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C.

[0185] Embodiment 16 is the method of embodiment 15, wherein the method further comprises cooling the liquid in the second flash cooler by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25°C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0186] Embodiment 17 is the method of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the method comprises: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid stuff and flash steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; wherein the heat-treating includes heating the pre-heated liquid from a temperature of about 90 to up to about 160°C, from about 105 up to about 160°C, from about 115 up to about 160°C, or from about from about 130 up to about 160°C, and wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam. Embodiment 17a is the method of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the method comprises: heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid stuff and flash steam; and cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series; wherein the heat-treating includes heating the pre-heated liquid from a temperature of about 90 to up to about 160°C, from about 105 up to about 160°C, from about 115 up to about 160°C, or from about from about 130 up to about 160°C, and wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

[0187] Embodiment 18 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the vapour recompression device is a mechanical vapour recompression device.

[0188] Embodiment 19 is the method of embodiment 18, wherein the mechanical vapour recompression device comprises a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger.4913-1966-4251.1 33

[0189] Embodiment 20 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the method comprises cooling the heat-treated liquid using a first flash cooler, a second flash cooler, and a third flash cooler in series.

[0190] Embodiment 21 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein the flash steam comprises water.

[0191] Embodiment 22 is the method of embodiment 21, wherein the flash steam comprises more than 50% water.

[0192] Embodiment 23 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of: milk, milk based products, plant-based drinks, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious drinks.

[0193] Embodiment 24 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein the liquid is heat sensitive.

[0194] Embodiment 25 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein the liquid is a biological liquid.

[0195] Embodiment 26 is the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the heat treatment apparatus is a steam infusion chamber. In other embodiments, the heat treatment apparatus is a direct steam injection (DSI) chamber, a chamber with external pre-heaters, a direct pasteurizer or an indirect pasteurizer, a chamber with direct heater such as but not limited to, a low thermophile heater, a mesophile heater, or a dead vapour heater.

[0196] Embodiment 27 is a plant for heat treating a liquid comprising: a heat treatment apparatus (1) having a liquid inlet arranged at atop of the heat treatment apparatus (1), a liquid outlet arranged at a bottom of the heat treatment apparatus (1), and a first steam inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus (1); a first flash cooler (10a) having a liquid inlet at a top of the first flash cooler (10a) and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the flash cooler (10a), wherein the liquid outlet of the heat treatment apparatus (1) is connected to the liquid inlet of the first flash cooler (10a) by a conduit (9) and a pump (6); the first flash cooler (10a) further comprising : a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the first flash cooler ( 10a) and connected to a first flash steam conduit (8), the first flash steam conduit (8) connected to an inlet of a compressor arrangement (16), the first flash steam conduit (8) being adapted for feeding the flash steam to the compressor arrangement (16), in which compressor arrangement (16) the flash steam is compressed, and a second flash steam conduit (14) connected to an outlet of the compressor arrangement (16), the second flash steam conduit (14) adapted for transferring the flash steam to the heat treatment apparatus (1); and a second flash cooler (10b) having a liquid inlet at a top of the second flash cooler (10b) and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the second flash4913-1966-4251.1 34cooler (10b), the inlet of the second flash cooler (10b) is connected to outlet of the first flash cooler (10a), the liquid outlet of the second flash cooler (10b) connected to a conduit (12) and a pump (13) for draining off liquid from the second flash cooler (10b), wherein the liquid is heat-treated by feeding a live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus (1), and wherein the live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus (1) by a live steam conduit (3) connected to the first steam inlet.

[0197] Embodiment 27 is a plant for heat treating a liquid comprising: a heat treatment apparatus (1) having a liquid inlet arranged at atop of the heat treatment apparatus (1), a liquid outlet arranged at a bottom of the heat treatment apparatus (1), and a first steam inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus (1); a first flash cooler (10a) having a liquid inlet at a top of the first flash cooler (10a) and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the flash cooler (10a), wherein the liquid outlet of the heat treatment apparatus (1) is connected to the liquid inlet of the first flash cooler (10a) by a conduit (9) and a pump (6); the first flash cooler (10a) further comprising : a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the first flash cooler ( 10a) and connected to a first flash steam conduit (8), the first flash steam conduit (8) connected to an inlet of a compressor arrangement (16), the first flash steam conduit (8) being adapted for feeding the flash steam to the compressor arrangement (16), in which compressor arrangement (16) the flash steam is compressed, and a second flash steam conduit (14) connected to an outlet of the compressor arrangement (16), the second flash steam conduit (14) adapted for transferring the flash steam to the heat treatment apparatus (1); and a second flash cooler (10b) having a liquid inlet at a top of the second flash cooler (10b) and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the second flash cooler (10b), the inlet of the second flash cooler (10b) is connected to outlet of the first flash cooler (10a), the liquid outlet of the second flash cooler (10b) connected to a conduit (12) and a pump (13) for draining off liquid from the second flash cooler (10b), wherein the liquid is heat-treated by feeding a live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus (1), and wherein the live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus (1) by a live steam conduit (3) connected to the first steam inlet, wherein the compressor arrangement comprises one or more mechanical vapour recompression devices.

[0198] Embodiment 28 is the plant of embodiment 27, wherein: the first flash cooler (10a) is configured to cool the liquid by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C; and / or the second flash cooler (10b) is configured to cool the liquid by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25 °C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

[0199] Embodiment 29 is the plant of embodiments 27 or 28, wherein the second flash steam conduit (14) is connected to the live steam conduit (3).4913-1966-4251.1 35

[0200] Embodiment 30 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 29, wherein the second flash steam conduit (14) is connected to a second steam inlet arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus (1).

[0201] Embodiment 31 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 30, wherein the compressor arrangement (16) comprises a mechanical vapour recompression device.

[0202] Embodiment 32 is the plant of embodiment 31, wherein the mechanical recompression device comprises a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger.

[0203] Embodiment 33 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 32, wherein the plant further comprises: a conduit (2) connected to the liquid inlet of the heat treatment apparatus (1); a first vapour preheating device (30) connected to the conduit downstream of the liquid inlet and also connected to the top of first flash cooler (10a) via a steam conduit (28); a second vapour preheating device (34) connected to the conduit downstream of the first vapour preheating device (30), the second vapour preheating device (34) also being connected to the top of the second flash cooler (10b) via a steam conduit (28); wherein the steam conduit (28) is configured to pass steam from the first flash cooler (10a) to first vapour preheating device (30); and wherein the steam conduit (32) is configured to pass steam from the second flash cooler (10b) to second vapour preheating device (34).

[0204] Embodiment 34 is the plant of embodiment 33, wherein the first vapour preheating device (30) is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the first flash cooler (10a).

[0205] Embodiment 35 is the plant of embodiments 33 or 34, wherein the second vapour preheating device (34) is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the second flash cooler (10b).

[0206] Embodiment 36 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 35, wherein the live steam is generated by a steam boiler (18).

[0207] Embodiment 37 is the plant of embodiment 35, wherein the steam boiler (18) is adapted for providing steam to a turbocharger.

[0208] Embodiment 38 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 37, wherein the conduit (12) and pump (13) are adapted for transferring the liquid to an aseptic homogenizer (17).

[0209] Embodiment 39 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 37, wherein the plant does not comprise a condenser (15) connected to an outlet of the first flash cooler (10a).

[0210] Embodiment 40 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 39, wherein the heat treatment apparatus 1 comprises a steam infusion chamber.

[0211] Embodiment 41 is the plant of any one of embodiments 27 to 40, wherein the heat treatment apparatus 1 comprises a steam injector device.4913-1966-4251.1 36

[0212] Embodiment 42 is a method for operating an ultra-high temperature treatment plant with a heat treatment apparatus (1), in which liquid is subjected to heat treatment by live and / or flash steam comprising: feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus (1); feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus (1); removing the liquid from the heat treatment apparatus (1); feeding the liquid into a first flash cooler (10a); removing flash steam from the first flash cooler (10a); feeding the flash steam to a compressor arrangement (16); and transferring the liquid from the first flash cooler (10a) to a second flash cooler (10b), wherein the compressor arrangement (16) compresses the flash steam, and wherein after compressing the flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus (1). Embodiment 42a is a method for operating an ultra-high temperature treatment plant with a heat treatment apparatus ( 1 ), in which liquid is subj ected to heat treatment by live and / or flash steam comprising : feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus (1); feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus (1); removing the liquid from the heat treatment apparatus (1); feeding the liquid into a first flash cooler (10a); removing flash steam from the first flash cooler (10a); feeding the flash steam to a compressor arrangement (16); and transferring the liquid from the first flash cooler (10a) to a second flash cooler (10b), wherein the compressor arrangement (16) compresses the flash steam, wherein the compressor arrangement comprise one or more mechanical vapour compression devices, and wherein after compressing the flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus (1).

[0213] Embodiment 43 is the method of embodiment 42, wherein the method further comprises feeding flash steam from the first flash cooler (10a) to a first vapour preheating device (30) and feeding flash steam from the second flash cooler (10b) to a second vapour preheating device (34) to pre-heat the liquid prior to feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus (1).

[0214] Embodiment 44 is the method according to embodiments 42 or 43, wherein at least two of the steps are executed simultaneously.

[0215] Embodiment 45 is the method according to any one of embodiments 42 to 44, wherein the heat treatment apparatus (1) comprises a steam infusion chamber.

[0216] Embodiment 46 is the method according to any one of embodiments 42 to 45, wherein the heat treatment apparatus (1) comprises a steam injector device.4913-1966-4251.1 37

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of heat treating liquid comprising :heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a heat treatment apparatus; andcooling the heat-treated liquid using at least a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series;wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises pre-heating the liquid prior to treatment in the heat treatment apparatus.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pre-heating comprises a first vapour preheating device and a second vapour preheating device placed in series, the first vapour preheating device being connected to the second vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device being connected to the heat treatment apparatus.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first vapour preheating device and the second vapour preheating device heat the liquid by about 5 to 15 °C or about 10°C.

5. The method of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is diverted from the first flash cooler to the second vapour preheating device and flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted back into the heat treatment apparatus using a vapour recompression device to compress the steam.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein during the cooling in the second flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and diverted from the second flash cooler to the first vapour preheating device.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method further comprises cooling the heat-treated liquid and optionally packaging.4913-1966-4251.1 388. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat treating includes heating the liquid to a temperature of up to about 160°C.

9. The method of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 75°C.

10. The method of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 90°C.

11. The method of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 105°C.

12. The method of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 115°C.

13. The method of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the method comprises pre-heating the liquid to a temperature of about 130°C.

14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the liquid entering the first vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 55 °C and wherein the liquid entering the second vapour preheating device has a temperature of about 65°C.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method comprises cooling the liquid in the first flash cooler by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further comprises cooling the liquid in the second flash cooler by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25 °C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the method comprises:heat-treating pre-heated liquid in a steam infusion chamber to generate a mixture of heat-treated liquid stuff and flash steam; and4913-1966-4251.1 39cooling the heat-treated liquid and steam mixture using a first flash cooler and a second flash cooler in series;wherein the heat-treating includes heating the pre-heated liquid from a temperature of about 90 to up to about 160°C, from about 105 up to about 160°C, from about 115 up to about 160°C, or from about from about 130 up to about 160°C, andwherein during the cooling in the first flash cooler, flash steam is extracted from the liquid and flash steam mixture and diverted back into the steam infusion chamber using a mechanical vapour recompression device to compress the flash steam.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the mechanical vapour recompression device comprises a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the method comprises cooling the heat-treated liquid using a first flash cooler, a second flash cooler, and a third flash cooler in series.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the flash steam comprises water.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the flash steam comprises more than 50% water.

22. The method of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of: milk, milk-based products, plant-based drinks, baby food, baby food liquid concentrates, or nutritious drinks.

23. The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the liquid is heat sensitive.

24. The method of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the liquid is a biological liquid.

25. The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the heat treatment apparatus is a steam infusion chamber.

26. A plant for heat treating a liquid comprising:4913-1966-4251.1 40a heat treatment apparatus ( 1 ) having a liquid inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus (1), a liquid outlet arranged at a bottom of the heat treatment apparatus (1), and a first steam inlet arranged at a top of the heat treatment apparatus ( 1);a first flash cooler (10a) having a liquid inlet at atop of the first flash cooler (10a) and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the flash cooler (10a), wherein the liquid outlet of the heat treatment apparatus ( 1 ) is connected to the liquid inlet of the first flash cooler ( 10a) by a conduit (9) and a pump (6);the first flash cooler (10a) further comprising:a flash steam outlet arranged at the top of the first flash cooler (10a) and connected to a first flash steam conduit (8), the first flash steam conduit (8) connected to an inlet of a compressor arrangement (16), the first flash steam conduit (8) being adapted for feeding the flash steam to the compressor arrangement (16), in which compressor arrangement (16) the flash steam is compressed, anda second flash steam conduit (14) connected to an outlet of the compressor arrangement (16), the second flash steam conduit (14) adapted for transferring the flash steam to the heat treatment apparatus (1); anda second flash cooler ( 10b) having a liquid inlet at a top of the second flash cooler ( 10b) and a liquid outlet at a bottom of the second flash cooler (10b), the inlet of the second flash cooler (10b) is connected to outlet of the first flash cooler (10a), the liquid outlet of the second flash cooler (10b) connected to a conduit (12) and a pump (13) for draining off liquid from the second flash cooler (10b),wherein the compressor arrangement (16) comprises a mechanical vapor recompression device, wherein the liquid is heat-treated by feeding a live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus (1), and wherein the live steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus (1) by a live steam conduit (3) connected to the first steam inlet.

27. The plant of claim 26, wherein: the first flash cooler (10a) is configured to cool the liquid by about 30 to about 60°C or by about 35 to about 45°C; and / or the second flash cooler (10b) is configured to cool the liquid by about 10 to about 20°C, or by about 15 to about 25 °C, or by about 5 to about 10°C.4913-1966-4251.1 4128. The plant of claims 26 or 27, wherein the second flash steam conduit (14) is connected to the live steam conduit (3).

29. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the second flash steam conduit (14) is connected to a second steam inlet arranged at the top of the heat treatment apparatus (1).

30. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the mechanical recompression device comprises a steam compressor, a heat pump, a turbine, or a turbocharger.

31. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the plant further comprises:a conduit (2) connected to the liquid inlet of the heat treatment apparatus (1);a first vapour preheating device (30) connected to the conduit downstream of the liquid inlet and also connected to the top of first flash cooler (10a) via a steam conduit (28);a second vapour preheating device (34) connected to the conduit downstream of the first vapour preheating device (30), the second vapour preheating device (34) also being connected to the top of the second flash cooler (10b) via a steam conduit (28);wherein the steam conduit (28) is configured to pass steam from the first flash cooler (10a) to first vapour preheating device (30); andwherein the steam conduit (32) is configured to pass steam from the second flash cooler (10b) to second vapour preheating device (34).

32. The plant of claim 31, wherein the first vapour preheating device (30) is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the first flash cooler (10a).

33. The plant of claims 31 or 32, wherein the second vapour preheating device (34) is adapted to heat the liquid using the steam from the second flash cooler (10b).

34. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 33, wherein the live steam is generated by a steam boiler (18).

35. The plant of claim 33, wherein the steam boiler (18) is adapted for providing steam to a turbocharger.4913-1966-4251.1 4236. The plant of any one of claims 22 to 35, wherein the conduit (12) and pump (13) are adapted for transferring the liquid to an aseptic homogenizer (17).

37. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 36, wherein the plant does not comprise a condenser (15) connected to an outlet of the first flash cooler (10a).

38. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 37, wherein the heat treatment apparatus 1 comprises a steam infusion chamber.

39. The plant of any one of claims 26 to 38, wherein the heat treatment apparatus 1 comprises a steam injector device.

40. A method for operating an ultra-high temperature treatment plant with a heat treatment apparatus (1), in which liquid is subjected to heat treatment by live and / or flash steam comprising:feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus (1);feeding live steam and / or flash steam into the heat treatment apparatus (1); removing the liquid from the heat treatment apparatus (1);feeding the liquid into a first flash cooler (10a);removing flash steam from the first flash cooler (10a);feeding the flash steam to a compressor arrangement (16); andtransferring the liquid from the first flash cooler (10a) to a second flash cooler (10b), wherein the compressor arrangement (16) compresses the flash steam, wherein the compressor arrangement (16) comprises one or more mechanical vapour recompression devices and wherein after compressing the flash steam is fed into the heat treatment apparatus (1).

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the method further comprises feeding flash steam from the first flash cooler (10a) to a first vapour preheating device (30) and feeding flash steam from the second flash cooler (10b) to a second vapour preheating device (34) to pre-heat the liquid prior to feeding the liquid into the heat treatment apparatus (1).4913-1966-4251.1 4342. The method according to claims 40 or 41 , wherein at least two of the steps are executed simultaneously.

43. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein the heat treatment apparatus (1) comprises a steam infusion chamber.

44. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 43, wherein the heat treatment apparatus (1) comprises a steam injector device.4913-1966-4251.1 44

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