PEF Module Sterilization via Conductive Acid Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PEF treatment systems face challenges in continuous operation and media changes due to conductivity issues, leading to sterility loss and production interruptions, as they require electrically conductive media to release energy and maintain sterility.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mixture of an ejection or sterilization medium with conductivity-increasing substances, such as organic acids, to enhance the conductivity of the media, allowing continuous operation and maintaining sterility during product changes and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterile water is used to eject liquid product from the device, then sterility is maintained, but the PEF module shuts down due to insufficient electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The conductivity of the ejection medium is changed by adding conductivity-enhancing substances (such as organic acids like citric acid) to sterile water, transforming it from a non-conductive medium into a conductive medium that can accept PEF energy while maintaining sterility. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling both sterility maintenance and continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductivity-enhancing substances act as intermediaries between the PEF energy field and the ejection medium. These substances enable energy transfer from the PEF module to the medium without compromising the sterile nature of the medium itself, thus resolving the contradiction between sterility and energy transfer capability.
2Reliability
If conventional sterilization methods are used, then sterility is achieved, but significant equipment and production downtime are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical/thermal sterilization system (steam sterilization equipment, hot water circuits, sterile water filters) is replaced with an electrical field-based sterilization method using PEF technology. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical sterilization equipment and reduces sterilization time from hours to minutes, resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization process uses parameter changes in the electrical field (pulsed electric fields) to achieve rapid sterilization without requiring the extended time and equipment of conventional thermal sterilization methods. The conductive medium allows efficient energy transfer that achieves sterilization quickly.
3Reliability
If the PEF generator shuts down due to low conductivity, then safety is protected, but sterility is compromised and production stops
Solution Approach 1:
The conductivity parameter of the ejection medium is increased by adding conductivity-enhancing substances, ensuring the medium remains above the minimum conductivity threshold required for safe PEF operation. This prevents safety shutdowns while maintaining continuous production, resolving the contradiction between safety protection and production continuity.
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
Enables continuous operation of the PEF module by ensuring energy can be released to the media, preventing shutdowns and maintaining sterility, thus reducing production interruptions and equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
providing a mixture of a discharge medium with at least one conductivity-enhancing substance for ejecting liquid product from the device or a sterilization medium with the at least one conductivity-enhancing substance for sterilizing the PEF module
Implementation Method 2
A PEF treatment consists of a treatment cell, for example, a tubular one, through which the product to be treated is passed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1, 72) for the beverage or food industry for PEF treatment of liquid media, comprising a PEF module (34). The device is designed such that, during operation of the device, the PEF module can be operated continuously by supplying a mixture (26) of a discharge medium with at least one conductivity-enhancing substance for discharging liquid product from the device, or of a sterilization medium with the at least one conductivity-enhancing substance for sterilizing the PEF module and the area of the device downstream of the PEF module, wherein the mixture is conductive through the PEF module. The invention further relates to methods, for example, for operating the device.