Atmospheric Non-Equilibrium Plasma Decontamination for Fresh Produce
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high demand for fresh produce has led to challenges in ensuring safety and quality due to contamination sources such as fecal matter, irrigation water, and improper handling, with conventional sanitizing methods being inefficient in maintaining freshness and safety during shipping and storage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma (ANEP) to produce reactive species within a closed package, reducing contamination by applying a voltage gradient to create a dielectric barrier discharge, which generates ozone and other reactive species to decontaminate products without exposing personnel to these species.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional washing procedures are used to sanitize fresh produce, then contamination levels are reduced, but the fresh qualities (taste, texture, nutrition) deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical washing systems with an atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma system. The plasma is generated by applying a voltage gradient across dielectric barriers to create reactive species that sanitize the produce surface without mechanical contact, thereby preserving fresh qualities while achieving contamination reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the treatment environment by creating a plasma state in atmospheric conditions. By controlling voltage gradient, frequency, and dielectric barrier properties, the system generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that provide sanitizing action without the harsh mechanical or chemical conditions that damage produce quality
2Reliability
If atmospheric plasma is generated to decontaminate produce, then contamination is reduced, but reactive species exposure to personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment space by placing the produce within a sealed packaging structure. The plasma is generated inside this enclosed space, confining the reactive species to the packaging interior where they can act on the produce surface without escaping into the surrounding environment where personnel could be exposed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the sealed packaging as an intermediary barrier between the plasma generation zone and the personnel environment. The packaging allows reactive species to be generated and accumulate inside for effective decontamination while preventing these harmful species from reaching personnel outside the packaging
3Reliability
If treatment time is extended to improve decontamination, then contamination reduction increases, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous plasma generation within the packaging by applying a sustained voltage gradient through dielectric barriers. This creates a continuous flux of reactive species that maintains decontamination action throughout the treatment period, allowing effective contamination reduction to be achieved in shorter, more consistent timeframes compared to intermittent conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent generates high concentrations of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species through plasma that act as strong oxidizing agents. These highly reactive species rapidly degrade contaminant molecules on the produce surface, achieving significant contamination reduction in shorter treatment times compared to conventional sanitizing methods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves 1-3 log10 reductions of spoilage organisms and greater than 5 log10 reductions of E. coli O157:H7 in fresh produce, maintaining product quality with minimal residual chemicals or gases, and extending treatment time by confining reactive species within the package.
Implementation Method 1
applying a voltage gradient to create a dielectric barrier discharge, which generates ozone and other reactive species
Implementation Method 2
atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma (ANEP) to produce reactive species within a closed package
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for decontamination of product is described. An object to be treated, which may be a food product or a medical device, is placed in a substantially closed dielectric container with a working gas. The container is placed in an apparatus capable of producing a controlled electrical discharge so as to create reactive ion species within the package. The object to be treated may be exposed either the immediate products of the electrical discharge or the long lasting reactive ion species, or both, so as to treat the object to reduce or eliminate specific contaminants, which may be biological pathogens or the cause of product spoilage, or inorganic contaminants. The reactive ion species may result from an atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma (ANEP) formed by the apparatus and the treatment may be performed without significantly increasing the bulk temperature of the object being treated.