Spiral UV-C Bioreactor for Opaque Liquid Pasteurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV-reactor instruments for pasteurizing liquid food products face challenges in optimizing bacterial and viral killing while minimizing oxidation, leading to flavor changes in the liquid product, and often require heat treatment that alters the product's chemical composition.
Innovation Solution
A photo bioreactor design featuring spiral-shaped tubes with UV-C light sources and filters blocking wavelengths above 300 nm, combined with a hydraulic system for high surface-to-volume ratio and Dean Vortex flow, ensuring efficient germicidal treatment of opaque liquids without significant oxidation or heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light with wavelengths above 300 nm is used for pasteurization, then bacterial and viral killing efficiency is improved, but photo oxidation of the liquid product occurs leading to enhanced bitter and bad flavor/taste
Solution Approach 1:
The UV spectrum is segmented into different wavelength ranges, with the invention specifically utilizing only the 200-300 nm range (UV-C) while excluding longer wavelengths above 300 nm. This spectral segmentation allows selective germicidal action without the photo-oxidative effects caused by longer UV wavelengths, thereby resolving the contradiction between killing efficiency and flavor preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies localized quality control by using filters with specific transmission characteristics that allow only certain wavelengths (200-300 nm) to pass through while blocking others. The spiral tube geometry also creates localized flow patterns that enhance exposure uniformity, ensuring effective germicidal treatment without excessive oxidation in any particular region of the liquid stream
2Reliability
If conventional UV-reactor designs are used, then germicidal treatment is achieved, but oxidation of the liquid product occurs leading to enhanced bitter and bad flavor/taste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes key parameters of the UV treatment process: (1) wavelength range is restricted to 200-300 nm using selective filters, (2) exposure time is optimized through controlled flow rates in spiral tubes, and (3) light intensity is modulated by the spiral geometry. These parameter changes achieve effective pasteurization while minimizing oxidative damage to the liquid product's chemical composition
3Reliability
If heat treatment is applied for pasteurization, then bacterial and viral killing is improved, but the product's chemical composition is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the thermal-mechanical pasteurization system with an optical system. Instead of using heat (thermal energy) to kill microorganisms, the invention uses UV-C light (electromagnetic energy) to achieve the same germicidal effect through DNA damage to microorganisms. This substitution eliminates heat-induced chemical alterations while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the phase transition concept in the electromagnetic spectrum by utilizing UV-C radiation (a form of electromagnetic energy) instead of thermal energy. This energy form transition allows germicidal action without the thermal effects that would alter the liquid product's chemical composition, effectively replacing thermal processing with photonic processing
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 design effectively inactivates bacteria and viruses by at least 6-Log 10, maintaining the liquid's flavor and chemical integrity through reduced self-shadowing and oxidation, while being energy-efficient and avoiding heat-induced alterations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more light sources illuminating the one or more spiral-shaped tubes, wherein the one or more light sources emit light in a wavelength range between 180-300 nm
Implementation Method 2
one or more filters positioned between the one or more light sources and the one or more spiral-shaped tubes, wherein the one or more filters prevent light above a wavelength of 300 nm from reaching the one or more spiral-shaped tubes
Implementation Method 3
The fluidic pathway is designed to provide a high surface to volume ratio, increasing the exposure of light energy per unit volume with reduced self-shadowing effects from the opaque liquid being treated
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system capable of a germicidal treatment of highly opaque liquids, featuring a filter, which prevents wavelengths above the UV-C spectrum reaching the liquid being treated, one or more spiral-shaped tubes extending from an inlet end to an outlet end creating a fluidic pathway, and one or more light sources illuminating the one or more spiral-shaped tubes, wherein the one or more light sources emit light in a wavelength range between 180-300 nm. In particular, the system is a photo bioreactor for pasteurization of liquid food products, the reactor comprising: a. one or more spiral-shaped tubes extending from an inlet end to an outlet end creating a fluidic pathway, and b. one or more light sources illuminating the one or more spiral- shaped tubes, wherein the one or more light sources emit light in a wavelength range between 180-300 nm, wherein the photo bioreactor further comprises one or more filters positioned between the one or more light sources and the one or more spiral-shaped tubes, wherein the one or more filters prevent light above a wavelength of 300 nm from reaching the one or more spiral-shaped tubes. The invention also comprises the use of said reactor for cold pasteurization of liquid food products.