WO2012044264A1

WO2012044264A1 - Method for the cold sterilization and pasteurization of opaque, translucent or transparent liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2012044264A1
Application number: PCT/TR2010/000191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yusuf Kemal KÖPRÜLÜ
Original assignee: Koepruelue Yusuf Kemal
Priority date: 2010-09-27
Filing date: 2010-09-27
Publication date: 2012-04-05

Abstract

The invention is concerned with the sterilization and pasteurization operation for the purposes of both extending the shelf-life and providing the required health conditions for the milk and dairy products, juices, and other opaque, translucent and/or transparent liquid drink group nutrition products; and it is an advanced method that especially provides possibility for implementing the operations in subject without needing high temperatures. The method is generally based on the principle that the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipes(5), which the liquid passes within and/or through, wound (coiled) on the quartz tube (6) and that the liquid is exposed to the light radiated from the UV lamps (11) within and/or outside the quartz tube (5) in order to establish the pasteurization and sterilization operation.

Description

METHOD FOR THE COLD STERILIZATION AND PASTEURIZATION OF

OPAQUE, TRANSLUCENT OR TRANSPARENT LIQUIDS

The invention is concerned with the sterilization and pasteurization operation for the purposes of both extending the shelf-life and providing the required health conditions for the milk and dairy products, juices, and other opaque, translucent and/or transparent liquid drink group nutrition products; and it is an advanced method that especially provides possibility for implementing the operations in subject without needing high temperatures.

Pasteurization and sterilization is a heating method used for purifying the nutrients from the disease creating microorganisms in the food industry. The application method of pasteurization today is based on casting the microorganisms away through heating. The enzymes and bacteria are destroyed and/or made ineffective by exposing the substance with nutritious feature having enzymes and bacteria within to a heating operation from 60 (sixty) °C to 100 (hundred) °C. The destruction curve of the bacteria is in proportion with the acidity percentage of the organisms and the applied temperature. By applying a heating from 60 (sixty) °C to 100 (hundred) °C, which is the beginning of decomposition of enzymes in various vegetables, the heat is continued to be applied until the degree that degrading enzymes in that nutrient substance are decomposed and the bacteria specific to that nutrient substance are destroyed or made ineffective. The temperature in the center of the nutrient is taken as a basis. The products gain robustness from one year to one week depending on their nutrition force. The usage period is extended by pasteurizing the nutrients to be consumed for a longer duration than the fresh state. For example; milk is heated up to 63 (sixty three) °C and tomato juice is heated up to 94 (ninety four) °C in order to make the bacteria ineffective. During the middle of pasteurizing, the temperature of the substance is required to be reduced to 40 (forty) °C by cooling, generally with water; otherwise there will be a lack of color and quality. The aforementioned system is based on the principle of temperature difference and depending on this, one of the most important disadvantages of it is that is causes a very high degree of energy consumption .

While it is not very useful as required by its application methods, the liquid (fluid) sterilization is also possible with the UV light (UVC 2537A) . For this reason, a limited usage area becomes the subject. The sterilization operations made with the UV light has good results in clear water; whereas it provides limited results in translucent liquids. In opaque liquids, the achived sterilization levels are not sufficient enough to be practically applicable. The main reason of the problem in question is due to the fact that, since the opaque liquids need very high doses of UVC, the UVC light are unable to penetrate sufficiently in the liquid depending on the opacity. Therefore the liquid requires turbulent mixing . The total destruction dose amount needs to be reached by bringing every point of the liquid to the surface over and over. The subject of the invention, the sterilization and pasteurization method for opaque, translucent and transparent liquids provides the solution of the problems aroused from the known state of the technique by eliciting the implementation of the pasteurization and sterilization operations even in the room temperatures through overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages without requiring high temperature differences or excessive energy consumption. Unlike the previous systems, the desired outcome can easily be obtained in opaque and translucent liquids by using UV light:

- The method is generally based on the principle that the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipes, which the liquid passes through, wound on the quartz tube and that the liquid is exposed to the light radiated from the UV lamps within and/or outside the quartz tube in order to establish the pasteurization and sterilization operation.

- One of the application methods of the invention's subject is that the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipes wound (coiled) on the quartz tube for the purpose of providing the turbulent current of the liquid. If straight pipes are used, there will be an insufficient turbulence since the liquid flows continuously without having any obstacles on its way. The eddy currents (currents in the form of closed mini rings) and the turbulent current, which are desired to be obtained in the straight pipes wound (coiled) on the quartz tube (6), are generally insufficient for the pasteurization and sterilization of the opaque liquid. For this reason, the structural forms of the pipes have a considerable significance. Additionally, in the event that the pipes are narrow, no other thing is required; however, if the pipe diameters are bigger, a set up of inserts that consists of spacers, beads or other the elements is added in the pipe in order to provide the turbulence. In this application method, one or more pipes can be wound (coiled) on the same quartz cover.

- In an alternative application of the method, two or more nesting pipes are used. In such an application, the liquid passes from the space between the two pipes.

- In another alternative configuration of the system, a setup is prepared in the form that the quartz cover remains outside and the pipe remains inside. The liquid passes through the outer quartz cover and inner pipe.

- In another preferred alternative configuration of the system, cable or any similar object is wrapped around (coiled) on over a thinner quartz tube and a larger quartz tube is used outside. The liquid makes its way through the gap in a helical way created between the cables and inner and outer quartz tubes and flows out from the other end. In this application method, tubes and cables of irregular surface of varying cross section shapes can be used between the quartz tubes, made from any material depending on the choice.

The cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids, which is implemented for reaching the purpose of the invention, is explained in detail in the following figures with examples:

Figure 1 : It is the perspective view of the device designed for the purpose of exemplifying the setup in question.

Figure 2 : It is the frontal and upper sectional view of the device designed for the purpose of exemplifying the setup in question.

Figure 3 : It is the perspective view of the UV light and quartz protector that the pipe having liquid flows within covers.

Figure 4 : It is the frontal and upper sectional view of the UV light and quartz protector that the pipe having liquid flows within covers.

Figure 5 : It is the upper sectional view of the body that the UV light, which the pipe having liquid flows within covers, connects to.

Figure 6 : For the purpose of exemplifying the setup in question, it is the sectional view of the inner setup with spacers of the designed device only for the large scale pipes.

Figure 7 : For the purpose of exemplifying the setup in question, it is the sectional view of the inner setup with beads and spacers of the designed device for the large scale pipes.

Figure 8 : For the purpose of exemplifying the setup in question, it is the sectional view of the inner setup with beads of the designed device only for the large scale pipes. Figure 9 : It is the sectional view of the alternative application of the liquid current between two or more nesting pipes. Figure 10 : It is the sectional view of the alternative application designed in the form that provides wrapping around of any object on the internal one among the two nesting quartz tubes and the flowing of the liquid between these two quartz tubes.

Additionally, the figures are given a number and provided in detail with the following parts/sections:

Part 1: Main body,

Part 2: Reservoir,

Part 3: Electronic section / pump,

Part 4: UV lights and quartz tube (protective cover) table,

Part 5: Pipe,

Part 6: Quartz tube (protective cover),

Part 7: Connection piece,

Part 8: Beads,

Part 9: Spacers,

Part 10: Wire,

Part 11: UV light, Part 12: Liquid flow channel,

Part 13: Cable or a similar object,

Part 14: Multiple liquid entry,

Part 15: Multiple liquid exit,

Part 16: Liquid entry,

Part 17: Liquid exit,

The content and the application principle of the invention is described in the following :

The subject of the invention as the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids consists of body ( 1 ), Reservoir (2), Electronic section / pump (3), UV lights and quartz tube (protective cover) table(4), Pipe(5), Quartz tube (protective cover)(6), Connection piece(7), Beads(8), Spacers(9), Wire( lO), UV light( l l ), Liquid flow channel ( 12) Cable or a similar object ( 13), Multiple liquid entry ( 14), Multiple liquid exit( 15), Liquid entry( 16) and Liquid exit ( 17) . The method is generally based on the principle that the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipes (5), which the liquid passes within and/or through, wound (coiled) on the quartz tube (6) and that the liquid is exposed to the light radiated from the UV lamps ( 11 ) within and/or outside the quartz tube (5) in order to establish the pasteurization and sterilization operation .

In one of the preferred application methods of the invention's subject, the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipes (5) wound (coiled) on the quartz tube for the purpose of providing the turbulent current of the liquid . Then, the sterilization and the pasteurization of the liquid passing from the pipe(s) (5) is implemented through the UV light ( 11) radiated inside and/or around the quartz tube (6) . If straight pipes are used, there will be an insufficient turbulence since the liquid flows continuously without having any obstacles on its way. The eddy currents (currents in the form of closed mini rings) and the turbulent current, which are desired to be obtained in the straight pipes wound (coiled) on the quartz tube (6), are generally insufficient for the pasteurization and sterilization of the opaque liquid. Moreover, the structural forms of the pipes (5) have a considerable significance. Additionally, in the event that the pipes (5) are narrow, no other thing is required ; however, if the pipe (5) diameters are bigger, a set up of inserts that consists of spacers(9), beads(8) or other the elements is added in the pipe in order to provide the turbulence. In this application method, one or more pipes (5) can be wound (coiled) on the same quartz tube (6) .

In an alternative application of the method, two or more nesting pipes are used in the form that a liquid flow channel ( 12) is made up in- between . In such an application, the liquid passes from the space between the two pipes (5) . The sterilization and the pasteurization of the liquid passing from liquid flow channels ( 12) between the pipe(s) (5) is implemented through the UV rays radiated from the UV lights ( 11 ) placed within the inner pipe (5) and/or around the outer pipe (5) .

In another alternative configuration of the system, a setup is prepared in a way that the quartz cover (6) remains outside and the pipe (5) remains inside in the form that a liquid flow channel ( 12) is made up in- between . The liquid passes through ( 12) the outer quartz cover (6) and inner pipe (5) . The sterilization and the pasteurization of the liquid passing from liquid flow channels ( 12) between the pipe (5) and the q ua rtz tu be (6) is i m plemented th roug h the UV rays rad iated from the UV lights ( 11) placed within the inner pipe (5) and/or around the outer quartz tube (5) . In another alternative configuration of the system, cable or any similar object ( 13) is wrapped around (coiled) over the on a thinner quartz tube (6) and a larger quartz tube (6) is used outside. The liquid makes its way through the gap in a helical way ( 12) created between the cables ( 13) and inner (6) and outer (6) quartz tubes and flows out from the other end . In this application method, tubes and cables of irregular surface of varying cross section shapes can be used between the quartz tubes made from any material depending on the choice.

During the application, the liquid that is desired to be treated is stored on the upper Reservoir (2) . Then, the operation is initiated by pressurizing with the help of the pump (3) . The liquid entering operation process begins to circulate through the pipe (5) or liquid flow channel ( 12). During this circulation, every point of the liquid is brought to the surface by utilizing the turbulence obtained thanks to the structural forms of the pipe(s) (5) and/or the setup integrated within and it is exposed to the UV light radiated from the center or around .

In opaque liquids, the rays implement the sterilization operation on the surface part of the liquid ; however it is unable to penetrate within . The turbulence created causes the mixing of liquid and provides the facing of every point of the liquid with the UV light by bringing on the surface thanks to this motion . In straight pipes, the rays are unable to penetrate into the water since liquid flows continuously without having any obstacles on its way. For this reason, it is very significant to use the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipes (5). Since some liquids are available for working with high flow rate, it may be required to use pipes (5) that are larger than normal. In order to provide the turbulence in such pipes with large diameters, certain internal pipe fittings are designed for usage. Such equipments within the pipe (5) consist of beads (8), spacers (9), wire (10) or other elements that constitute the same function. Turbulence is obtained in the pipes (5) with large diameters thanks to the beads (8) and spacers (9) placed with the usage of wire (10). The internal pipe (5) systems can be designed with the usages of only beads (8), only spacers (9) and beads (8) together with the spacers (9).

All particles of the translucent or opaque liquid, which are pushed into turbulence due to either the form of pipes (5) or the internal pipe (5) setups, are brought to the surface, and exposed to the UV light reflected from the UV light. Therefore, the desired pasteurization and sterilization operation is implemented without needing any other thing in room temperatures or a similar environment. By engaging a sufficient number of lamps (11), it is possible to obtain a liquid purified from the bacteria/microbes in the desired log level from the exit of the pipe(s) (5), together with the accomplishment of the sterilization and pasteurization.

Claims

1- The invention in question is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids and its feature is characterized by the consisting items; body ( 1),

Reservoir(2), Electronic section / pump(3), UV lights and quartz tube (protective cover) table(4), pipe(5), Quartz tube (protective cover)(6), Connection piece(7), Beads(8), Spacers(9), Wire( lO), UV light( l l), Liquid flow channel(12) and Cable or a similar object( 13), Multiple liquid entry( 14), Multiple liquid exit( 15), Liquid entry( 16) and Liquid exit ( 17).

2- It is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by the radiation UV rays with the inclusion of UV lamp(s) ( 11) in various numbers, which reflect the UV light for providing the sterilization and pasteurization of the liquid passing within the pipe (5) or through other channels ( 12) depending on the alternative application types.

3- It is the pipe (5) mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by being corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted. 4- It is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by the design (arrangement) with various combinations in the pipes (5) with large diameters (5) depending on the preferred application types with the inclusion of Beads (8) and Spacers (9) in various numbers for providing the turbulence expected during the liquid flow. 5- They are the Beads (8) and Spacers (9) mentioned in Claim 1 and Claim 4 and their feature is characterized by having available matters for substitution that function in the same way depending on the preferred application types.

6- It is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by the winding (coiling) of the corrugated/solid (bellows type flexible) and/or convoluted pipe(s) (5), which used for the purpose for providing the turbulence flow of the liquid, on the quartz tube (6) in order to implement the sterilization and pasteurization of the liquid passing through the pipe(s) (5) through the means of UV rays radiated from the UV lamps ( 11) within the quartz tube (6) or around it among one of the preferred application types.

7- It is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by the nesting design of two or more pipes (5) in the way that a liquid flow channel ( 12) is formed in-between in order to provide the sterilization and pasteurization of the liquid passing from the liquid flow channel ( 12) between the pipe(s) (5) through the means of UV rays radiated from the UV lamps ( 11) placed within the inner pipe (5) or around the outer pipe (5) among one of the preferred application types.

8- It is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by a configuration design in the form that the cover (6) will remain outside and the pipe (5) will remain inside in order to form a liquid flow channel ( 12) in- between , for providing the steri lization and pasteurization of the liquid passing from the liquid flow channel ( 12) between the pipe(s) (5) through the means of UV rays radiated from the UV lamps ( 11) placed within the inner pipe (5) or around the outer quartz tube (6) among one of the preferred application types.

9- It is the cold sterilization and pasteurization method for the opaque, translucent and transparent liquids mentioned in Claim 1 and its feature is characterized by the wrapping around (coiling) of cable or any similar object ( 13) on the thinner quartz tube (6) and utilizing a larger quartz tube (6) on the outside in order to implement the sterilization and pasteurization of the liquid passing from the route ( 12) created by the coiled object ( 13) in-between these two quartz tubes (6) on the inner quartz tube (6) through the means of UV rays radiated from the UV lamps ( 1 1) placed within the inner pipe (5) or around the outer quartz tube (6) among one of the preferred application types.

10- It is the quartz tube (6) mentioned in claim 1 and its feature is characterized by its usage as a straight pipe as well, as a substitute depending on the choice.