Application system with recycle and related use of antimicrobial quaternary ammonium compound

摘要

An antimicrobial application system is disclosed, comprising an antimicrobial application unit and a recycle unit. An initial, dilute antimicrobial composition is prepared. The composition is provided to the antimicrobial application unit and applied to workpieces, such as raw poultry. After application to the workpieces, the composition is returned to the recycle tank. The concentration of the antimicrobial in the recycle tank is monitored, and additional antimicrobial is automatically added if the concentration of the antimicrobial in the composition falls below a desired amount. The composition is periodically diverted to a capture tank, and the antimicrobial is selectively removed from the composition. The removed antimicrobial and remaining composition are then disposed of in appropriate manners. The antimicrobial is preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, is more preferably an alkylpyridinium chloride, and is most preferably cetylpyridinium chloride.

主权项

1. An antimicrobial application system, the system comprising:
an application unit comprising
a housing,a conveyor extending through the housing, wherein the conveyer is configured to convey workpieces through the housing,a sprayer positioned adjacent to the conveyer, wherein the sprayer is configured to direct a first volume of a dilute antimicrobial solution onto the workpieces conveyed through the housing on the conveyor,a drain positioned along a lower portion of the housing,a collector positioned below the conveyer and having a surface angled toward the drain, wherein the collector is configured to collect a portion of the first volume of the dilute antimicrobial solution that does not adhere to the workpieces and direct the collected portion of the first volume along the lower portion of the housing toward the drain, anda bypass port positioned in the housing, wherein the bypass port is configured to pass a second volume of the dilute antimicrobial solution into the lower portion of the housing to mix with the collected portion of the first volume of the dilute antimicrobial solution; a recycle unit comprising
at least one recycle tank having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is fluidically coupled to the drain and configured to route the dilute antimicrobial solution from the lower portion of the housing to the recycle tank,a feed line operatively coupled to a pump configured to transport the dilute antimicrobial solution from the recycle tank to both the sprayer and the bypass port, andan orifice plate positioned in the feed line, the orifice plate configured to provide flexibility in maintaining a consistent pressure range of the first volume of dilute antimicrobial solution supplied to the sprayer; and a diverting line coupled to the feed line, wherein the diverting line is configured to withdraw a sample of the dilute antimicrobial solution from the feed line for transport and further dilution in a mixer, and wherein a sensor is configured to measure the concentration of the antimicrobial in the dilute antimicrobial solution from the diluted sample of the dilute antimicrobial solution.