Microwave Pasteurization Cooling Plenum to Prevent Sealed Film Rupture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave pasteurization methods face issues with the risk of sealed film rupture due to insufficient heat dissipation, leading to pressure buildup during the pasteurization process, which compromises the sealing integrity of hermetically sealed packages.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation cooling system with an air distribution plenum extending continuously along and above the conveyor line within the microwave cavity, using a material transparent to microwaves, ensures continuous cooling of the sealed films, maintaining thermal equilibrium and reducing pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microwave radiation is used to rapidly heat food products during pasteurization, then pasteurization time is significantly reduced and heating efficiency is improved, but pressure builds up inside hermetically sealed packages which may cause sealed film rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ventilation cooling system as an intermediary component between the microwave heating system and the packaged food products. This system actively manages the thermal environment inside the packaging by introducing cooling air, thereby mediating the pressure buildup caused by rapid microwave heating and preventing sealed film rupture while maintaining the efficiency benefits of microwave pasteurization
2Reliability
If conventional thermal conduction heating is used from the outside towards the inside of foodstuffs, then sealed film rupture risk is reduced, but pasteurization time increases from minutes to several hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate pasteurization approaches into a single integrated system: the rapid heating capability of microwave radiation is combined with the gentle pressure management of conventional cooling methods. This hybrid approach allows the system to achieve the speed benefits of microwave heating while incorporating the safety advantages of controlled thermal management, resulting in both reduced pasteurization time and maintained sealed film integrity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hermetically sealed packaging is used to prevent microorganism contamination, then food safety is improved, but pressure buildup during microwave heating cannot be relieved causing potential package rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation cooling system acts as an intermediary mechanism that reconciles the conflicting requirements of hermetic sealing and pressure management. By introducing controlled cooling air flow into the packaging environment, the system provides a safety valve function without compromising the hermetic seal, thus preventing pressure buildup and potential rupture while maintaining protection against microorganism contamination
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 solution effectively prevents sealed film rupture by maintaining thermal equilibrium, ensuring the sealing properties of packages during microwave pasteurization, while allowing uniform and homogeneous heating of food products.
Implementation Method 1
at least one microwave generator (5) coupled to at least one microwave guide (51, 52) opening into the at least one microwave cavity (3), to generate and propagate inside the latter a microwave radiation (W) heating the food products contained in the packages (2) conveyed on the conveyor line (4)
Implementation Method 2
pasteurization by microwaves is based on spatially uniform absorption by the foodstuffs of a microwave radiation
Implementation Method 3
a ventilation cooling system designed to inject air (A) inside the at least one microwave cavity (3) and over the packages (2), in order to reduce the air temperature and the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the packages (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave pasteurization facility for pasteurizing food products contained in packages that are hermetically sealed by an impermeable film, the facility including at least: - a microwave cavity; - a conveyor line conveying the packages through the microwave cavity; - at least one microwave generator designed to generate and propagate through the microwave cavity microwave radiation that heats the food products on the conveyor line; - a ventilation cooling system that injects cold air into the microwave cavity by means of at least one air distribution plenum transparent to the microwaves which extends continuously inside the microwave cavity, along and above the conveyor line, and is provided with holes for distributing air along and opposite the conveyor line.