METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ELIMINATING CONTAMINANTS PRESENT IN A LIQUID

Abstract: The invention provides a method for eliminating contaminants present in a liquid, particularly micro-organisms, according to which method a flow of the liquid for treating is first heated to above its evaporation temperature into the gas phase, the thus obtained flow of gas is then subjected to a treatment, which treatment comprises filtration and/or sterilization, and the treated flow of gas is thereafter cooled to below its evaporation temperature into the liquid phase.

Description: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ELIMINATING CONTAMINANTS PRESENT IN A LIQUID A container for carbonated drinks can derive a part of its mechanical rigidity in the closed situation from the internal gas pressure. In analogous manner gas fillings are used for general application in for instance containers for foodstuffs wherein the internal pressure in a container is greater than the atmospheric pressure. For use with foodstuffs such gases must display inert behaviour. Suitable for instance are the most common nitrogen, dinitrogen monoxide, argon, neon or other inert gases, carbon dioxide etc. Gases are also used to displace oxygen. The containers are not necessarily under pressure, although the gases can also be applied as propellant. Devices are for instance known for admitting liquid nitrogen at a temperature of almost -200°C in droplet form into a container, for closing the container and for ensuring that, as a result of the subsequent natural slight heating, the liquid nitrogen passes into the gas phase and can develop gas pressure. Suitable containers are metal cans, glasses or plastic pots with (screw) cover, pouches, bags, plastic trays with foil cover etc. It is an object of the invention to provide a method and device with which the liquid nitrogen can be effectively rid of contaminants such as germs, bacteria and the like. Aseptic filling can then take place therewith. In respect of the above the invention provides a method for eliminating contaminants present in a liquid, particularly micro-organisms, according to which method a flow of the liquid for treating is first heated to above its evaporation temperature into the gas phase, the thus obtained flow of gas is then subjected to a treatment, which treatment comprises filtration and/or sterilization, and the treated flow of gas is thereafter cooled to below its evaporation temperature into the liquid phase. In particular the invention provides in a first embodiment a method for subjecting a liquid to (micro) filtration for removing contaminants therefrom, particularly micro-organisms, according to which method a flow of the liquid is heated to above its evaporation temperature, the thus obtained gas flow is guided through a filter, and the gas flow allowed through the filter is cooled to below the evaporation temperature. Treatment of the gas flow takes place in this embodiment by filtering. The filtering can take place in any suitable manner, for instance by means of a filter with one or more semi-permeable membranes, in ultrasonic manner, with ultraviolet radiation, with electromagnetic pulses of high intensity or in any other suitable manner. A very practical implementation of the method according to the invention is a device comprising a feed conduit for liquid which branches into a cooling conduit leading to the first circuit of a heat exchanger and a filter conduit leading via a heating device to a filter, the outlet of which filter leads to the second circuit of the heat exchanger such that the heating device heats the liquid to above its evaporation temperature into the gas phase and the gas allowed through the filter condenses in the heat exchanger. A practical embodiment is that in which the cooling liquid is circulated. For this purpose the device can have the special feature that the outlet of the first circuit is connected via a cooling device to the feed conduit. This latter embodiment can display the feature that the cooling device and the heating device together form part of a heat pump. A high efficiency is obtained with an embodiment in which the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type. In the foregoing is described a method and a device for subjecting for instance liquid nitrogen to (micro) filtration. Such a method and device is very efficient in effectively ridding the liquid nitrogen of all kinds of contaminants, including bacterial ones, particularly for foodstuff applications. The drawback of filter devices is that they require maintenance, which may imply time and regular investment in new filter materials. The now following part of the invention is based on the wish to simplify a method and device for treating a liquid and to make a device largely maintenance-free. A further object is to provide a method and a device with which an installation for aseptic filling of containers can be effectively sterilized making use of the sterilization capacity of the device according to this part of the invention. With a view to the above the invention provides a method for sterilizing a liquid, according to which method a flow of the liquid is heated to the gas phase and a temperature of above about 100°C, this temperature is maintained for a chosen minimum time and the obtained gas flow is cooled to below the evaporation temperature. The invention further provides a device with which this method is implemented. This device comprises a feed conduit for liquid which branches into a cooling conduit leading to the first circuit of a heat exchanger and a sterilization conduit leading via a heating device to the second circuit of the heat exchanger such that the heating device heats the liquid to the gas phase and a temperature of above about 100°C, this temperature is maintained for a chosen minimum time and the gas allowed through the heating device condenses in the heat exchanger . The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings. In the drawings: fig. 1 and 2 show schematically an embodiment of a filtering device according to the invention in two operating situations; fig. 3 and 4 show schematically an embodiment of a sterilizing device according to the invention in two operating situations; and fig. 5 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment . Insofar as applicable, corresponding components in fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are designated as far as possible with the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 and 2 show schematically an embodiment of a filtering device according to the invention. This comprises a storage tank 5 to be filled with liquid nitrogen 4 at a temperature of about -200°C via a funnel 1 and a feed conduit 2 with valve 3, to which tank connects a feed conduit 7 provided with a pump 6. This conduit 7 branches into a cooling conduit 10 leading to the first circuit 8 of a heat exchanger 9 and a filter conduit 13 leading via a heating device 11 to a filter 12, the outlet 14 of which filter 12 leads to the second circuit 15 of heat exchanger 9 such that the heating device 11 heats the liquid nitrogen 4 to above its evaporation temperature into the gas phase and the gaseous nitrogen allowed through filter 12 condenses in heat exchanger 9. The outlet 16 of the second circuit 15 leads a flow of sterilized liquid nitrogen to an application station (not shown) . The outlet 17 of first circuit 8 is connected via a cooling device 18 to the storage tank 5. Recirculation of the liquid nitrogen used as cooling medium thus takes place. As the figure shows, the heat exchanger 9 acts in counterflow. The heating device 11 and the cooling device 18 form part of one system operating as heat pump which is designated schematically with 19 and comprises a pump 20. Fig. 3 and 4 shows schematically a sterilizing device according to the invention. This comprises a storage tank 5 to be filled with liquid nitrogen 4 at a temperature of about -200°C via a funnel 1 and a feed conduit 2 with valve 3 , to which tank connects a feed conduit 7 provided with a pump 6. This conduit 7 branches into a cooling conduit 10 leading to the first circuit 8 of a heat exchanger 9 and a filter conduit 13 leading via a heating device 11 to a device 12 also for sterilizing, the outlet 14 of which device 12 leads to the second circuit 15 of heat exchanger 9 such that the heating device 11 heats the liquid nitrogen 4 to for instance about 150°C into the gas phase and the gaseous nitrogen allowed through device 12 condenses in heat exchanger 9. The outlet 16 of the second circuit 15 leads a flow of sterilized liquid nitrogen to an application station (not shown) . The gas temperature in device 12 must always be sufficiently high to ensure that sterilization takes place effectively. The outlet 17 of first circuit 8 is connected via a cooling device 18 to storage tank 5. Recirculation of the liquid nitrogen used as cooling medium thus takes place. As the figure shows, the heat exchanger 9 acts in counterflow. The heating device 11 and the cooling device 18 form part of one system operating as heat pump which is designated schematically with 19 and comprises a pump 20. The valve 21 according to fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is arranged in cooling conduit 10 and can be placed in an open and closed position. In the situation of fig. 1 and 3 the valve 21 is closed, whereby all liquid pumped by pump 6 is supplied to conduit 13. In the situation of fig. 2 and 4 the valve 21 is opened, and a part of the liquid flow is allowed through conduit 13 and another part through conduit 10. Fig. 5 shows a device according to the invention in another embodiment . Three circuits can be distinguished. The first circuit is designated with arrows 30 and serves to feed liquid nitrogen via feed 32 to a storage tank 31. A level meter 33 is added to the tank 31. A second circuit is designated with arrows 40. This circuit is fed with gaseous nitrogen at room temperature and a pressure of several bar, for instance 2-6 bar. This nitrogen coming from feed 41 runs through heat exchanger spiral 42, is cooled by the liquid nitrogen 31 and leaves the device in liquid state via outlet 60 to be collected by a collecting station 61. By closing an aseptic control valve 43 the said medium flow through heat exchanger spiral 42 can be interrupted, whereby the gaseous nitrogen is fed directly via a bypass line 44 to conduit 60 for blowing out and drying thereof when this is necessary. A third circuit is designated with arrows 50. At the inlet 51 thereof heated steam of for instance 130°C or heated nitrogen at a pressure in the order of 5-10 bar is supplied for sterilization purposes. By closing valve 46 and opening valve 52 the circuit 50 is effectively set into operation while switching off circuit 40. With the reverse operation the circuit 40 is effectively set into operation. In the same manner as described for circuit 40 the discharge conduit 60 can also be sterilized via bypass line 62 by causing the heated steam or nitrogen to flow as according to arrow 54, not via heat exchanger spiral 42 (in the opened situation of valve 43) but via bypass line 62. The reference numeral 55 designates a draining, 56 is a pressure regulator, 57 a steam filter with valves added thereto, 47 a control valve, 48 a sterile filter with valves added thereto, 49 a pressure difference sensor, 34 a control valve, 35 an on/off valve. Reference numeral 37 designates a discharge conduit for gaseous nitrogen on the top of storage tank 38. This conduit 37 can be connected to a cooling device which lowers the temperature of the gaseous nitrogen to the temperature wherein the nitrogen is liquid and suitable for supplying to the feed 32 of circuit 30. As described with reference to fig. 1-4, a heat pump can be applied for this purpose. Circuit 50 serves to pre-sterilize the circuits where this is necessary. For this purpose the whole apparatus must be completely empty and dry. Bypass line 62 serves to completely dry the environment of the discharge conduit 60 for liquid nitrogen for dosing. Sterilizing must take place at a temperature of for instance a minimum of 130°C for a number of minutes to be further specified. It will be apparent that the sterilizing time is co-dependent on the design and dimensions of the device. Before a device is taken into use for the first time a preliminary sterilization takes place. This can take place for a relatively long time, for instance 30 minutes or longer at the above stated temperature of steam or nitrogen of more than 130°C. After use of the device a renewed sterilization can take place at a temperature of for instance 180-200°C for a relatively short period, for instance 10 seconds. The aseptic control valve is of known type and can comprise a diaphragm valve. A diaphragm valve is an element which is wholly free of space in which contaminants, particularly micro-organisms, can accumulate. The whole device according to fig. 5 and also that according to fig. 1-4 can be controlled by a PLC or the like. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for eliminating contaminants present in a liquid, particularly micro-organisms, according to which method a flow of the liquid for treating is first heated to above its evaporation temperature into the gas phase, the thus obtained flow of gas is then subjected to a treatment, which treatment comprises filtration and/or sterilization, and the treated flow of gas is thereafter cooled to below its evaporation temperature into the liquid phase. 2. Method as claimed in claim 1 for subjecting a liquid to (micro) filtration for removing contaminants therefrom, particularly micro-organisms, according to which method a flow of the liquid is heated to above its evaporation temperature, the thus obtained gas flow is guided through a filter, and the gas flow allowed through the filter is cooled to below the evaporation temperature. 3. Device for performing the method as claimed in claim 2, comprising a feed conduit for liquid which branches into a cooling conduit leading to the first circuit of a heat exchanger and a filter conduit leading via a heating device to a filter, the outlet of which filter leads to the second circuit of the heat exchanger such that the heating device heats the liquid to above its evaporation temperature into the gas phase and the gas allowed through the filter condenses in the heat exchanger. 4. Device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outlet of the first circuit is connected via a cooling device to the feed conduit. 5. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cooling device and the heating device together form part of a heat pump. 6. Device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type. 7. Method as claimed in claim 1 for sterilizing a liquid, according to which method a flow of the liquid is heated to the gas phase and a temperature of above about 100°C, this temperature is maintained for a chosen minimum time and the obtained gas flow is cooled to below the evaporation temperature. 8. Device for performing the method as claimed in claim 7, comprising a feed conduit for liquid which branches into a cooling conduit leading to the first circuit of a heat exchanger and a sterilization conduit leading via a heating device to the second circuit of the heat exchanger such that the heating device heats the liquids to the gas phase and a temperature of above about 100°C, this temperature is maintained for a chosen minimum time and the gas allowed through the heating device condenses in the heat exchanger. 9. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outlet of the first circuit is connected via a cooling device to the feed conduit. 10. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat exchanger is of the counterflow type. 11. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gas heated by and allowed through the heating device is guided to the heat exchanger via a space for sterilizing.

Inventors: BRILMAN GERRIT WILLEM, SAVRIJ DROSTE FRED WILLEM, TOENHAKE GERLOF DINAND, BRILMAN, GERRIT, WILLEM, SAVRIJ DROSTE, FRED, WILLEM, TOENHAKE, GERLOF, DINAND
Applicants: BRILMAN GERRIT WILLEM, SAVRIJ DROSTE FRED WILLEM, THOMASSEN & DRIJVER, TOENHAKE GERLOF DINAND, BRILMAN, GERRIT, WILLEM, SAVRIJ DROSTE, FRED, WILLEM, THOMASSEN & DRIJVER-VERBLIFA N.V., TOENHAKE, GERLOF, DINAND
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61L2
IPC codes: A61L2