A method and device to treat liquid to reduce the amount of microorganisms in the liquid to a preselected level and/or to mitigate the growth of microorganisms are disclosed. Utilizing the method or device, liquid product is sprayed into a cavity of a reactor using a nozzle that produces a flat spray to provide means for efficient heating and treatment of the liquid.

Methods for making a dairy composition containing less than 2000 ppm of lactose can include the steps of subjecting a mixture of a dairy product and a lactase enzyme to a peak temperature from 55 to 78 C. for 15 sec to 15 min to form the dairy composition containing less than 2000 ppm of lactose, and then heat treating the dairy composition to deactivate the enzyme and to sterilize the dairy composition. The amount of the lactase enzyme is from 0.01 to 5 wt. %, based on the amount of lactose in the dairy product.

Methods for making a dairy composition containing less than 2000 ppm of lactose can include the steps of subjecting a mixture of a dairy product and a lactase enzyme to a peak temperature from 55 to 78 C. for 15 sec to 15 min to form the dairy composition containing less than 2000 ppm of lactose, and then heat treating the dairy composition to deactivate the enzyme and to sterilize the dairy composition. The amount of the lactase enzyme is from 0.01 to 5 wt. %, based on the amount of lactose in the dairy product.

A system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum source, and a mixture flow path adapted to be connected to receive the output of a direct steam injector. The vacuum source is operatively connected to a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber, while a product outlet port from the vacuum chamber is adapted to be connected to an arrangement for removing treated product from the vacuum chamber. The mixture flow path includes a flow path segment outside of the vacuum chamber volume and a flow path segment within the vacuum chamber volume. At least some of a surface defining the flow path segment within the vacuum chamber is in substantial thermal communication with one or more cooling structures.

A system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum source, and a mixture flow path adapted to be connected to receive the output of a direct steam injector. The vacuum source is operatively connected to a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber, while a product outlet port from the vacuum chamber is adapted to be connected to an arrangement for removing treated product from the vacuum chamber. The mixture flow path includes a flow path segment outside of the vacuum chamber volume and a flow path segment within the vacuum chamber volume. At least some of a surface defining the flow path segment within the vacuum chamber is in substantial thermal communication with one or more cooling structures.

A powder sterilization method for sterilizing powder, in particular an active pharmaceutical ingredient in powder form or food in powder form, using fluid vapor, in particular steam. According to the invention, the fluid vapor is applied to the powder in an evacuated treatment chamber (3), in particular it is applied to the powder during its free fall along a drop section (7), in particular in countercurrent.

A powder sterilization method for sterilizing powder, in particular an active pharmaceutical ingredient in powder form or food in powder form, using fluid vapor, in particular steam. According to the invention, the fluid vapor is applied to the powder in an evacuated treatment chamber (3), in particular it is applied to the powder during its free fall along a drop section (7), in particular in countercurrent.

A heating medium injector includes an injector structure defining a heating medium flow path and a product flow path. The heating medium flow path extends to a contact location, while the product flow path also extends to the contact location. The contact location comprises a location at which the heating medium flow path and product flow path merge within the injector. In a region along the product flow path, the product flow path is defined between a first flow surface and a second flow surface. The first flow surface comprises a surface of a boundary wall separating the heating medium flow path from the product flow path and the second flow surface comprises a surface of an opposing second boundary wall. The second flow surface is in substantial thermal communication with a second flow surface cooling structure.

A system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum source, and a mixture flow path adapted to be connected to receive the output of a direct steam injector. The vacuum source is operatively connected to a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber, while a product outlet port from the vacuum chamber is adapted to be connected to an arrangement for removing treated product from the vacuum chamber. The mixture flow path includes a flow path segment outside of the vacuum chamber volume and a flow path segment within the vacuum chamber volume. At least some of a surface defining the flow path segment within the vacuum chamber is in substantial thermal communication with one or more cooling structures.

A system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum source, and a mixture flow path adapted to be connected to receive the output of a direct steam injector. The vacuum source is operatively connected to a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber, while a product outlet port from the vacuum chamber is adapted to be connected to an arrangement for removing treated product from the vacuum chamber. The mixture flow path includes a flow path segment outside of the vacuum chamber volume and a flow path segment within the vacuum chamber volume. At least some of a surface defining the flow path segment within the vacuum chamber is in substantial thermal communication with one or more cooling structures.