Method And System For Process Monitoring The Treatment Of Media, In Particular A HACCP-Compliant Method Or System For Preserving Foods

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for process monitoring of the treatment of media (3), in particular a HACCP-compliant system (1) for the preservation of foods. In order to ensure and standardize successful treatment, system (1) comprises an electroporator (2) for treating a medium (3) with a pulsed electric field, at least one measuring device (4) for determining a change of a condition parameter of the medium (3) caused by the treatment with the pulsed electric field, and an evaluation device (5) for comparing the determined change of the condition parameter to a predetermined change target value and for outputting a warning signal once the difference between the determined change and the predetermined change target value exceeds a limit value.

Claims

1. System (1) for process monitoring of the treatment of media (3), in particular HACCP-compliant system (1) for the preservation of foods, comprising an electroporator (2) for treating a medium (3) with a pulsed electric field, at least one measuring device (4) for determining a change of a condition parameter of said medium (3) caused by the treatment with said pulsed electric field, and an evaluation device (5) for comparing the determined change of the condition parameter to a predetermined change target value and for outputting a warning signal once the difference between the determined change and the predetermined change target value exceeds a limit value.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying line (6) and a drive (7) for transporting said medium (3).

3. System (1) according to claim 1, where said the electroporator (2) comprises at least two electrodes (10) connected to a pulse generator (14).

4. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (15) for adjusting a conveying speed of said transported medium (3) and/or at least one operating parameter of said electroporator (2).

5. System (1) according to claim 1, where said measuring device (4) comprises at least one thermometer for determining the temperature increase, preferably at least one inlet thermometer (23) for determining the temperature of said medium before it enters said electroporator (2) and at least one outlet thermometer (24) for determining the temperature of the medium after it exits said electroporator (2).

6. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a speed sensor for determining the conveying speed of said medium (3) transported on said conveying line (6) through said electroporator (2).

7. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an energy measuring unit (30) for determining the specific energy input into said medium (3) during the treatment with said pulsed electric field.

8. System (1) according to claim 7, where said energy measuring unit (30) determines the specific energy input in dependence of the determined conveying speed and operating parameters of said electroporator (2).

9. System (1) according to claim 5, where said evaluation unit (5) comprises an evaluation unit for comparing the determined temperature increase of said medium (3) to a predetermined target temperature increase and for outputting a warning signal once the difference between the determined temperature increase and the predetermined temperature increase exceeds a limit value, where the target temperature increase is preferably calculated according to the following formula: $.Math.T=\frac{W_{\mathrm{spec}}}{c_p}*f,$ where W.sub.spec=specific energy input, c.sub.p=specific heat capacity of said medium (3) and f=correlation factor.

10. System (1) according to claim 7, where said energy measuring unit (30) comprises an oscilloscope (31).

11. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a logging unit (33) for logging operating parameters of said system (1).

12. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking device (28) for preventing medium (3) from exiting said system (1) when said warning signal has been output.

13. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure measuring unit for determining the pressure in said medium (3) after treatment in said electroporator (2).

14. System (1) according to claim 13, further comprising an overpressure indicator (38) for outputting a warning signal once the determined pressure in said medium (3) exceeds or drops below a predetermined maximum pressure.

15. System (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a pH measuring unit for determining the pH value of said medium (3) before it enters said electroporator (2).

16. System (1) according to claim 2, where said the electroporator (2) comprises at least two electrodes (10) connected to a pulse generator (14).

17. System (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a logging unit (33) for logging operating parameters of said system (1).

18. System (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a blocking device (28) for preventing medium (3) from exiting said system (1) when said warning signal has been output.

19. System (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure measuring unit for determining the pressure in said medium (3) after treatment in said electroporator (2).

20. System (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a pH measuring unit for determining the pH value of said medium (3) before it enters said electroporator (2).

Description

[0035] In the following, the invention shall be described by way of example in detail with reference to the drawing using advantageous embodiments. The advantageous further developments and configurations illustrated there are each independent of each other and can be combined with one another, depending on the requirement of the application,

[0036] where:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention for process monitoring of the treatment of media.

[0038] A system 1 for the treatment of media according to the invention shall be presented below with reference to the schematic representation in FIG. 1. Within the context of this presentation, the method according to the invention for monitoring a process for the treatment of a medium shall also be described, which can be performed in particular using the system according to the invention, for example, the exemplary system of FIG. 1.

[0039] System 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an electroporator 2 for the treatment of a medium 3 (represented schematically by black dots ir FIG. 1) with a pulsed electric field. System 1 further comprises at least one measuring device 4 for determining a change of a condition parameter of medium 3 caused by the treatment with the pulsed electric field, and an evaluation device 5 for comparing the determined change of the condition parameter to a predetermined change target value and for outputting a warning signal once the difference between the determined change and the predetermined change target value exceeds a limit value.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, system 1 according to the invention comprises a conveying line 6 for transporting medium 3, for example, the foods to be preserved. Conveying line 6 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises tubing 7 in which pumpable media, for example juices, smoothies or dairy products, can be transported. Conveying ine 6 can alternatively comprise a conveyor belt or an auger (not shown), for example, when solid media and bulk media are to be treated.

[0041] System 1 further comprises a drive 8 for transporting the medium on conveying line 6. Drive 8 can be, for example, a pump which pumps a fluid medium through tubing 7, or a motor which drives a conveyor belt or an auger. Conveying line 6, which is a tubing in the illustrated embodiment, and drive 8 together form a conveying system 9.

[0042] Conveying line 6 passes through electroporator 2, or in other words, electroporator 2 is arranged such that a medium 3 transported on conveying ine 6 can be treated with a pulsed electric field. Electroporator 2 comprises at least two electrodes 10 which form a capacitor 11 for generating an electric field in a treatment section of conveying line 6. Electrodes 10 of capacitor 11 are connected via power lines 12 to a voltage source 13. In the embodiment shown, the two electrodes 10 of capacitor 11 are arranged on opposite sides of conveying line 6 and parallel to each other. A homogeneous electric field for uniform treatment of media 3 can be generated with such an electrode arrangement. However, other variants of the electrode arrangement are also conceivable, for example, a coaxial, collinear or conical arrangement.

[0043] A pulse generator 14, for example, a high-voltage pulse generator, such as a Marx generator, can be used as a voltage source with which electrical pulses of a high voltage in the kilovolt range and of short duration in the micro to millisecond range can be generated. Electrodes 10 can be made, for example, of stainless steel or a titanium alloy.

[0044] The exemplary system of FIG. 1 further comprises a control unit 15 for adjusting a conveying speed of transported medium 3 and/or at least one operating parameter of electroporator 2.

[0045] Control unit 15 can be connected to drive 8 via a control line 16, and can in this way adjust the conveying speed, for example, the flowrate of the transported medium in tubing 7 by controlling a pump. In the embodiment shown, control unit 15 is connected via a further controlling 17 to electroporator 2 and in this way can control, for example, the field strength, the pulse duration, the pulse frequency, the pulse shape, the pulse voltage, the strength of current or the specific energy input of the electroporator. Of course, control lines 16 and 17 can be omitted if the data transmission between control unit 15 and drive 8 or electroporator 2 is wireless, for example using a radio connection. The arrow of control lines 16 and 17 pointing at drive 8 and electroporator 2, respectively, indicates that a control signal from control unit 15 to drive 8 or electroporator 2, respectively, can be output via these lines. Although this is not shown in FIG. 1, control line 16 or 17, respectively, can also be bi-directional, meaning that signals from drive 8 and electroporator 2 can be transmitted back to control unit 15. For example, drive 8 can send a conveying signal, which is characteristic of the operation of the drive, e.g. the pump pressure, via control line 16 back to control unit 15.

[0046] It applies for all lines that are presented in the context of this invention that they can be configured both in a wired as well as in a wireless manner and that signals or data are transmitted via these lines not only in the direction indicated by arrows, but also in the opposite direction.

[0047] By controlling both the conveying speed of the drive as well as the operating parameters of the electroporator, it can therefore be adjusted in the exemplary system 1 of FIG. 1 which specific energy is introduced by electroporator 2 into the medium conveyed on conveying line 6 during its treatment.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, system 1 further comprises another measuring device 4, namely a speed sensor 18 for determining the conveying speed of medium 3 transported on conveying line 6 through electroporator 2. Speed sensor 18 can be configured as a flow measuring unit with which a flow signal can be output. This flow signal can be transmitted via a signal ine 19 from speed sensor 18 to evaluation device 5. In evaluation device 5, the flow signal can be compared to a target value. If the current flow signal differs from the target signal, then evaluation device 5 can output a control signal via a further signal line 20 to control unit 15, which in turn forwards a control signal via signal line 16 to the drive, whereby a closed control loop for controlling the flow rate in system 1 according to the invention is realized. Of course, it is also possible that speed sensor 18 passes the signal that is characteristic of the conveying speed directly to control unit 15. Speed sensor 18 can also measure the resistance or the conductivity of medium 3 disposed on conveying line 9 and output a corresponding signal that is characteristic of the conductance or the resistance of the medium transported. This makes it easy to determine whether any medium 3 is conveyed at al. It is also possible to draw conclusions about the conveyed medium and the value that is characteristic of the resistance or the conductivity of medium 3 can also be taken into account by evaluation electronics 5 or control unit 15, respectively, for precisely adjusting the specific energy input.

[0049] Even if this is not shown in FIG. 1, it is of course also possible to provide a further measuring device which measures the resistance or the conductivity of medium 3 on conveying line 6 and is configured to output a signal that is characteristic of this parameter. Measuring the conductivity also makes it possible to determine whether medium 3 or water (possibly with a cleaning agent) is present in conveying line 6.

[0050] System 1 shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a pH measuring unit 21 for determining the pH value of medium 3 before it enters electroporator 2. This further measuring device 4, namely pH measuring unit 21, is therefore to be arranged in the flow direction illustrated by an arrow in the tubing 7 upstream of electroporator 2. This is not absolutely necessary for speed sensor 18. It can also be arranged in the flow direction downstream of electroporator 2.

[0051] The pH value of medium 3 can be characteristic of the loading of medium 3 with harmful microorganisms. For example, acidic or alkaline foods, whose pH values are further away from the physiologically neutral pH value of 7, tend to contain lower levels of harmful microorganisms. A low germ load, in turn, leads to a lower specific energy input into medium 3 being required by electroporator 2 in order to process medium 3 to be treated for reducing the microorganism load below a maximum value which is required to increase the shelf life of medium 3.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment shown, pH measuring unit 21 is connected via a further signal line 22 to evaluation unit 5 in a manner transmitting signals. A signal that is characteristic of the pH value of medium 3, which is determined by pH measuring unit 21, can then be output to evaluation unit 5 via signal line 22. Evaluation device 5 can output this signal via signal ine 22 to control unit 15 which in turn outputs a corresponding control signal via line 17 to electroporator 2 for specifically adapting the electroporation treatment to medium 3.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, system 1 comprises at least one thermometer for determining the temperature increase. The temperature is used as a condition parameter which is used by evaluation device 5, as shall now be explained in more detail. In the embodiment shown, system 1 comprises at least one inlet thermometer 23 for determining the temperature of the medium before it enters electroporator 2 and at least one outlet thermometer 24 for determining the temperature of the medium after it exits electroporator 2. The difference between the inlet and outlet temperature corresponds to a temperature difference which in the exemplary embodiment corresponds to the determined change of a condition parameter and in evaluation device 5 is compared to a predetermined change target value, i.e. a predetermined target temperature difference.

[0054] Inlet thermometer 23 and outlet thermometer 24 are connected via a signal line 25 and 26, respectively, to evaluation unit 5 in a manner transmitting signals. Temperature signals, which can be transmitted via corresponding signal ine 25 and 26, respectively, can therefore be output by thermometers 23 and 24 to evaluation unit 5. Evaluation unit 5 compares the inlet and the outlet temperature and first calculates the temperature difference as a determined change of the condition parameter. In evaluation unit 5, the determined temperature difference, i.e., the determined temperature increase of medium 3, is then compared to a predetermined target temperature increase. If the difference between the determined temperature increase and the predetermined target temperature increase exceeds a predetermined limit value, then the evaluation device outputs a warning signal. The warning signal output can be, for example, a visual or an audio signal in the form of a warning lamp or a warning siren which indicates improper treatment of the medium.

[0055] In the embodiment shown, the warning signal is first output by evaluation unit 5 via control line 20 to control unit 15 which then transmits it via a further control line 27 to a blocking device 28. Blocking device 28 prevents medium 3 from exiting system 1 when the warning signal is output.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated, blocking device 28 is configured as a check valve 29 which in the flow direction is downstream of electroporator 2. Once a warning signal has been output by evaluation unit 5, check valve 29 is closed and medium 3 is prevented from exiting system 1 according to the invention. Alternatively, drive 8 could simultaneously be used as a blocking device in that the drive is stopped when a warning signal is output and the delivery of medium 3 on conveying line 6 is hated. Another option, which is not shown, would be to use a T-valve instead of a check valve 29, which discharges medium 3 from system 1 during normal operation, i.e. during proper treatment of the medium. When a warning signal has been output, the outlet of the T-valve is switched over and medium 3 is fed back via a bypass within system 1 and returned to conveying line 6 at a point which is located in the flow direction upstream of electroporator 2. Medium 3 could be circulated within system 1 by way of such a bypass line until the desired change of the condition parameter in the medium has been reached and the output of the warning signal is canceled.

[0057] In the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown by way of example, evaluation device 5 compares the determined temperature increase of the medium during the treatment in electroporator 2 to a predetermined target temperature increase and outputs a warning signal once the difference between the determined temperature increase and the predetermined target temperature increase exceeds a limit value.

[0058] The target temperature increase can be calculated according to the following formula 1:

[00002]$.Math..Math.T=\frac{W_{\mathrm{spec}}}{c_p}*f,$

where W.sub.spec is the specific energy input, c.sub.p is the specific heat capacity of the medium, and f is a correlation factor. The correlation factor can take into account, for example, the type of medium, the desired treatment intensity in the electroporator, the pH value, the conductivity of the medium or other factors.

[0059] To ensure that electroporator 2 introduces the required specific energy input into the medium, the system according to the invention can have an energy measuring unit 30 for determining the specific energy input into medium 3 during the treatment with the pulsed electric field. Energy measuring unit 30 can determine the specific energy input in dependence of the determined conveying speed and the operating parameters of electroporator 2. The operating parameters of the electroporator can be determined, for example, by an oscilloscope 31 which determines the tine profile of the pulse voltages of capacitor 11, including, for example, the pulse duration, the pulse frequency, the pulse shape and optionally the strength of current generated. The parameters determined by oscilloscope 31 can be transmitted via a signal ine 32 from oscilloscope 31 to energy measuring unit 30.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment shown, oscillator 31 is shown as an integral component of electroporator 2. It is just as well possible to integrate the oscilloscope into evaluation unit 5 or to design it as a separate component.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiment shown, energy measuring unit 30 is integrated into evaluation unit 5 by way of example, which is advantageous because evaluation unit 5 receives a signal that is characteristic of the conveying speed via signal line 19 and the operating parameters of electroporator 2 from the oscilloscope 31 via signal line 32 and can determine from these parameters the specific energy input into the medium during treatment with the pulsed electric field. Of course, it is also possible to not integrate energy measuring unit 30 into evaluation unit 5, but to design it as a separate unit or even to integrate it into electroporator 2, which would require a further signal line between electroporator 2 and speed sensor 18.

[0062] The exemplary system 1 of FIG. 1 further comprises a pressure measuring unit 37 for determining the pressure in medium 3 after treatment in electroporator 2. The system can further comprise an overpressure indicator for outputting a warning signal once the determined pressure in medium 3 exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In the embodiment shown, overpressure indicator 38 is integrated into pressure measuring unit 37 and can transmit the warning signal via a signal line 39 to the evaluation unit when a maximum pressure has been exceeded, which in turn can initiate suitable measures, for example, blocking media discharge. Overpressure indicator 38 could also be integrated into evaluation unit 5. In this case, pressure measuring unit 37 would output a signal that is characteristic of the determined pressure in the medium via signal line 39 to evaluation unit 5 which compares this signal to a maximum permissible maximum pressure and outputs a warning signal in the event that the pressure in the medium has exceeded this. Monitoring the pressure in medium 3 after the treatment in electroporator 2 is advantageous in that a disproportionate pressure increase in the medium can be due to the fact that over-treatment of medium 3 in electroporator 2, i.e. excessive energy input has taken place, which is expressed by undesirable foaming. The foaming leads to a pressure increase in medium 3 and can be caused by unwanted reactions in the medium.

[0063] System 1 according to the invention of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 further comprises a logging unit 33 for logging operating parameters of the system. The operating parameters can be logged in the logging unit, in particular, in their temporal course and stored for documentation purposes. In the embodiment shown, logging unit 33 is connected via a signal line 34 to evaluation unit 5 in a data or signal transmitting manner. As indicated by the box drawn in dashed lines, system 1 can comprise a central control and monitoring center 35 which comprises evaluation unit 5, control unit 15 and logging unit 33, in which the signals for all determined operating parameters of system 1 are received, and from which all control signals including the warning signals are output.

[0064] Control and monitoring center 35 can comprise an interface for data input for delivering the predetermined change target value to evaluation unit 5. A graphical user interface can be provided via which the user can retrieve information of the system, can intervene in the settings of system 1, or can access data stored in memory 34 of the logging unit.

[0065] With system 1 according to the invention or the method according to the invention, a HACCP-compliant system or method for the preservation of foods can be provided, in which the destruction of harmful microorganism in the medium which is required for the preservation and achieved by applying a pulsed electric field in electroporator 2, is monitored in that a certain increase in temperature in medium 3 is caused, which is indicative of the successful treatment for the preservation of the foods, and which in the event of inadequate treatment outputs a warning and can prevent the further processing of an improperly treated medium.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0066] 1 system [0067] 2 electroporator [0068] 3 medium [0069] 4 measuring device [0070] 5 evaluation device [0071] 6 conveying line [0072] 7 tubing [0073] 8 drive [0074] 9 conveyor system [0075] 10 electrodes [0076] 11 capacitors [0077] 12 power lines [0078] 13 voltage source [0079] 14 pulse generator [0080] 15 control unit [0081] 16 control line [0082] 17 control line [0083] 18 speed sensor [0084] 19 signal line [0085] 20 signal line [0086] 21 pH measuring unit [0087] 22 signal line [0088] 23 inlet thermometer [0089] 24 outlet thermometer [0090] 25 signal line [0091] 26 signal line [0092] 27 control line [0093] 28 blocking device [0094] 29 check valve [0095] energy measuring unit [0096] 31 oscilloscope [0097] 32 signal line [0098] 33 logging unit [0099] 34 signal line [0100] 35 control center [0101] 37 pressure measuring unit [0102] 38 over pressure indicator [0103] 39 signal line