Dual bladder system and method for treatment and reduction of microbial content in fluids by means of high pressure

摘要

A system for treating edible fluids under high pressure to reduce microorganisms. The system comprises a high pressure housing having an interior chamber containing two parallel flexible bladders adapted to hold the fluid to be treated under high pressure within the confines of the chamber. A pressurizing fluid fills the interior chamber outside the bladders. When one bladder is filled the other bladder is collapsed. In operation pressure is exerted throughout the interior chamber by means of the pressurizing fluid for a period sufficient to reduce microorganisms in the fluid within the filled bladder. Pressure will be released and the collapsed bladder will then be filled with an edible fluid causing treated fluid to be removed from the first bladder due to expansion caused by the filling of the second bladder such that the first bladder is collapsed. The process can then be repeated.

主权项

1. A dual bladder high pressure fluid processing system comprising:
(a) a high pressure container capable of withstanding an internal pressure of from 30,000 psi to 150,000 psi, said container having an interior space; (b) a port in said container for introducing or removing a pressurizing fluid into or from said interior space; (c) open and closable pressure valve means controlling said port to allow the introduction of fluid into said interior space, to maintain said fluid under the internal pressure in said interior space and to allow the release of fluid pressure from said interior space; (d) dual first and second inflatable pressure resistant flexible bladders for containing fluids to be treated independently located in said interior space in a parallel relationship such that the first and second bladders are movably engageable with one another, each of the first and second bladder containing a fill line and drain line in fluid communication with said first and second bladder respectively; said lines extending through bladder ports in said container in a fluid tight manner, each of said fill and drain lines outside of said container being independently connected to a valve means to open and close each of said lines to allow introduction of treatment fluids and removal of treated fluids from each bladder; and (e) a fluid reservoir and high pressure pump connected to allow introduction of fluid into said interior space through said pressure valve and port.