Uniform product flow in a high-electric-field treatment cell

摘要

A deactivation approach for deactivating microorganisms in a high-strength-electric field treatment system, can be characterized as an apparatus for reducing microorganism levels in products. The apparatus has an inlet tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional area extending from a distance before a treatment zone to at least into the treatment zone; a substantially ogival electrode nose positioned in the treatment zone; and an outer electrode forming an interior of the inlet tube in the treatment zone. The treatment system can be employed in a method having steps of flowing the product through an inlet tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional area extending from a distance before a treatment zone to at least into the treatment zone; flowing the product between a substantially ogival electrode nose positioned in the treatment zone, and an outer electrode forming an interior of the inlet tube in the treatment zone; and applying at least one high strength electric field pulse to the product during transit through the treatment zone.