Electron Beam Sterilization of Poultry Eggshells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing poultry eggshells, such as formaldehyde fumigation, are ineffective in reaching microbes deep within the microporous calcareous shell and pose environmental and health risks, while alternative methods like peracetic acid and physical treatments are not widely accepted due to feasibility and cost issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using electron beams to sterilize poultry eggshells, where an electron beam source irradiates the entire calcareous shell uniformly, with a varying dose distribution achieved by inserting an element into the beam path or rotating the eggs to ensure comprehensive irradiation, reducing the electron dose gradient and ensuring uniform treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If formaldehyde fumigation is used to sterilize eggshells, then surface microbes are reduced, but microbes deep inside the microporous calcareous shell cannot be killed and environmental toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the sterilization agent from chemical fumigants (formaldehyde) to physical electron beam radiation. The electron beam energy parameters are optimized to achieve sufficient penetration depth into the microporous shell structure, transforming the sterilization mechanism from surface-level chemical reaction to deep-penetrating physical radiation that can reach microbes within the shell pores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism (formaldehyde fumigation) with a physical mechanism (electron beam irradiation). This substitution eliminates the toxic chemical effects while maintaining sterilization capability, as the electron beam physically inactivates microbes through ionization and energy deposition without leaving harmful chemical residues.
2Length of stationary object
If high acceleration voltages in the MeV range are used for electron beam sterilization, then effective penetration depth increases, but uniform dose distribution over the egg surface becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electron beam into multiple smaller beams or divides the irradiation process into multiple passes at different angles. This segmentation allows each beam segment to cover a smaller area more uniformly, and the combination of multiple segments achieves both deep penetration and uniform dose distribution across the entire egg surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular dimension to the irradiation process by rotating the eggs or the electron beam source. Instead of single-direction irradiation, the electron beam is applied from multiple angles, ensuring that all regions of the spherical egg surface receive comparable doses while maintaining sufficient penetration depth through the calcareous shell.
3Reliability
If conventional electron beam treatment is applied to eggs, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but the dose gradient causes non-uniform irradiation of the calcareous shell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the irradiation system dynamic by implementing continuous rotation of the eggs during electron beam exposure. This dynamic approach ensures that no single region remains stationary under the beam for too long, distributing the dose more uniformly across the entire egg surface while maintaining effective pathogen inactivation through sufficient total exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scattering layer or modulating element between the electron beam source and the eggs. This intermediary component helps to scatter and redistribute the electron beam, reducing the dose gradient and creating more uniform irradiation across the egg surface while still delivering sufficient energy for pathogen inactivation.
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 method effectively reduces viable microorganisms on the eggshell to zero, allowing for controlled recontamination and ensuring successful hatching, while minimizing environmental impact by using electron beams to penetrate the shell and generate ozone for microbial inactivation.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the eggs using an electron beam bundle from the electron beam source
Implementation Method 2
The physical method of electron beam sterilization is used at the present time in the area of foodstuffs above all for treatment of outer packaging, poultry meat or raw egg mass
Implementation Method 3
minimizing environmental impact by using electron beams to penetrate the shell and generate ozone for microbial inactivation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for treating poultry eggs with an electron beam bundle to sterilize the calcareous shell are disclosed. The method includes moving at least one egg through the beam path of an electron beam source; irradiating the eggs, whereby the calcareous shell is irradiated with a varying dose; and either carrying out an irradiation encompassing all regions of the calcareous shell of the egg by employing the electron beam bundle, whereby an element is inserted into the path of the electron beam bundle; carrying out an irradiation of a rolling/rolled egg by employing the electron beam source in the path of the electron beam bundle; or carrying out an irradiation of the held eggs by employing the electron beam source in the electron beam bundle path at a zero degree position of one side in a device arranged upstream of a turning device.