Sparging device and method for adding a processing fluid to a foodstuff

摘要

A sparging device ( 10 ) includes a number of sparger or screen passages ( 14 ) each extending from a respective passage inlet to a respective passage outlet. The sparging device ( 10 ) further includes a fluid chamber ( 25 ) that defines a chamber area through which at least one of the sparger passages ( 14 ) extends. A fluid communication device ( 34 ) is associated with each sparger passage ( 14 ) extending through the fluid chamber ( 25 ) to enable fluid communication between the fluid chamber and the interior of the respective sparger passage. The sparging device ( 10 ) allows a processing fluid in the fluid chamber ( 25 ) to be added to a foodstuff pumped through the sparger passages ( 14 ). Multiple fluid chambers may be formed in the sparging device to facilitate the addition of multiple processing fluids to a foodstuff.