Capillary Taylor Cone Sterilization for Low-Energy Liquid Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high intensity pulsed electric field (PEF) sterilization technologies for liquid beverages require high energy consumption, pose technical challenges, and fail to ensure consistent sterilization due to variations in liquid physical and chemical parameters, leading to instability in sterilizing effects.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization device utilizing a stable strong electric field with a hollow capillary emitter that forms a dynamic Taylor cone, allowing bacteria to be polarized and disrupted without direct electric current-induced killing, using an electric voltage device with adjustable voltage (10V-100kV) and intelligent control, independent of liquid parameters, ensuring effective sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high intensity pulsed electric voltage is applied to sterilize liquid, then microbial inactivation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electric field intensity parameter from high intensity (12-40 Kv/cm) to low intensity (10V-100kV range with intelligent control), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining sterilizing effectiveness through prolonged exposure time and adaptive voltage adjustment based on liquid properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic voltage adjustment through intelligent control devices that adapt the electric field parameters in real-time based on the liquid's physical and chemical properties, replacing static high-intensity pulsed fields with dynamically optimized low-intensity fields
2Reliability
If high intensity pulsed electric field is used for sterilization, then bacteria are electroporated and inactivated, but equipment complexity and technical requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex high-voltage pulsed electric field generation equipment with simpler low-voltage direct current or alternating current power sources combined with intelligent control systems, substituting mechanical/high-energy complexity with electronic control simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal sterilization system that can handle various liquid types (different conductivity, viscosity, temperature) through intelligent control, replacing the need for specialized high-intensity equipment configurations with a single adaptable low-intensity system
3Reliability
If stable strong electric field is applied regardless of liquid parameters, then sterilization is achieved, but sterilizing effect stability decreases for diverse liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback control through intelligent devices that detect liquid properties (electric conductivity, dielectric constant, temperature, viscosity) and adjust electric field parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains stable sterilizing effectiveness across varying liquid compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes electric field parameters (voltage, frequency, duration) based on detected liquid properties, replacing the static strong electric field approach with adaptive parameter adjustment to ensure consistent sterilization across diverse beverage products
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
The device achieves thorough sterilization with reduced energy consumption and improved stability, preserving nutritional components, especially for foods unsuitable for high temperature or pressure treatments, while maintaining effective microbial inactivation.
Implementation Method 1
liquid will thus form a dynamic Taylor cone under the electric field force. The radius of curvature is small enough to be counted on sub-micron level so that the surface electric field action on liquid is strong enough to fully polarize the microbial cells with polarity and thoroughly disrupt them
Implementation Method 2
bacteria are gradually polarized for their own electric and chemical properties... fully polarize the microbial cells with polarity and thoroughly disrupt them to achieve the effect of sterilizing
Implementation Method 3
Only if the voltage connector sleeve is made of conducting material, such as iron, copper, stainless steel, metal alloy, etc., can the electricity of electric voltage device be transmitted to the liquid in voltage connector sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a processing machine of the food industry, specifically, a new electronic sterilization device for liquid beverage or liquids. One pole of the electric voltage device is connected to the voltage connector sleeve with an outlet of hollow capillary emitter, and the other pole of the electric voltage device is connected to the collection container. The inner diameter of the exit end of the hollow capillary emitter is very small. Liquid forms a Taylor cone at the exit end under the electric field force, thus a high electric field area is formed on the surface of the Taylor cone. Bacteria passing through the high electric field area will be fully polarized, thoroughly disrupted or electroporated, and finally killed. This invention features simple structure and easy operation with better and more thorough sterilization effect, showing distinct technical advantages especially for substances inappropriate to be treated in high temperature, high pressure or strong electric field, and its wide use in food and beverage industry can be expected in the very near future.