Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a device for treating foods and/or containers for holding foods. The foods and/or containers are treated in at least one treatment zone by a process liquid, wherein the process liquid is at least partially recirculated into the treatment zone or the treatment zones after completed treatment of the foods and/or the containers. At least one membrane filtration system and at least one UV irradiation apparatus are provided for cleaning and sterilisation of the process liquid.
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27: Method for treating food in at least one treatment zone (4), wherein the food to be treated is filled into containers (2) before the treatment, the containers (2) are closed, and the containers (2) are introduced into a treatment zone (4) and/or transported through a treatment zone (4), and wherein the treatment zone (4) or the treatment zones (4) are each fed at least one liquid stream (5) of a process liquid (3) to act on the containers (2), wherein the particular liquid stream (5) of the process liquid (3) is tempered before being fed into a treatment zone (4) and the treatment of the food is executed in a treatment zone (4) by heat transfer via a tempered process liquid (3), in which the process liquid (3) flows around an outside (6) of the containers (2), and wherein the process liquid (3) is drained again after completed treatment of the foods out of the treatment zone(s) (4), and wherein the process liquid (3) is at least partially recirculated into the treatment zone (4) or the treatment zones (4) for re-use in the method, wherein out of the total process liquid (3) conducted through all existing treatment zones (4) per unit of time, at least a partial quantity of the process liquid (3) is used per unit of time to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid (3), and the at least one formed stream (2) of the process liquid (3) is filtered by at least one membrane filtration system (19) and/or irradiated by at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47), an irradiated stream and/or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid (3) is fed back into at least one conduction element (8) containing and/or conducting the process liquid (3) and/or into at least one treatment zone (4), wherein a specifiable quantity of the process liquid (3) is removed out of at least one element (8) containing or conducting the process liquid (3) per time unit in a controlled manner by means of at least one adjustable splitting means (21) or multiple splitting means (21) working together and is used for formation of the at least one stream (20) of the process liquid (3).
28: Method according to claim 27, wherein the temperatures of the particular liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) are set separately for each treatment zone (4) in a controlled way before feeding into a treatment zone (4) and the foods being pasteurized in at least one treatment zone (4).
29: Method according to claim 28, wherein the foods being treated are heated successively in at least one treatment zone (4), are pasteurized in at least one treatment zone (4), and are cooled in at least one treatment zone (4).
30: Method according to claim 29, wherein a liquid stream (5) of the process liquid (3) is fed into at least one treatment zone (4) for heating the foods and/or containers (2) at a temperature between 40° C. and 50° C.
31: Method according to claim 27, wherein at least one stream (46) of the process liquid (3) filtered by a membrane filtration system is fed into a UV irradiation apparatus (47) and irradiated immediately after the filtration process and a filtered and irradiated stream (49) of the process liquid (3) is fed back into at least one conduction element (8) holding and/or conducting the process liquid and/or at least one treatment zone (4).
32: Method according to claim 29, wherein process liquid (3) with a temperature between 40° C. and 50° C. is used to form at least one stream (2) of the process liquid to be filtered.
33: Method according to claim 32, wherein the at least one stream (20) is formed by removing process liquid (3) from a tempering-capable flow container (50) for the process liquid (3).
34: Method according to claim 27, wherein the process liquid quantity used to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid (3) out of at least one conduction element (8) holding and/or conducting the process liquid during continuous treatment per unit of time is chosen in such a way that the irradiation and/or filtration of the stream (20) or streams (20) allow a removal rate for micro-organisms to be achieved that is larger than the growth rate of the micro-organisms in the process liquid (3) in the same unit of time.
35: Method according to claim 27, wherein an irradiated and/or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid (3) is fed back into at least one conduction element (8) holding and/or conducting the process liquid and/or into at least one treatment zone (4) under at least approximately ambient pressure in free fall.
36: Method according to claim 27, wherein an irradiated and/or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid (3) is at least partially fed into a treatment zone (4) for rinsing the outside (6) of closed containers filled with food (2) placed at the end of the process in the method for treating foods and or containers (2) for holding the foods.
37: Method according to claim 27, wherein the degree of contamination of the process liquid (3) is continuously monitored, especially by measurements of the turbidity of the process liquid using sensors (41) placed in conduction elements (8) and/or in treatment zones (4).
38: Methods according to claim 32, wherein a stream (20) of the process liquid (3) to be irradiated and/or filtered is formed as needed out of different conduction elements (8) containing or conducting process liquid, is filtered by at least one membrane filtration system (19), and after the membrane filtration process a filtered stream (46) is fed into at least one conduction element (8) containing or conducting process liquid and/or at least one treatment zone (4) and/or at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47).
39: Device (1) for treating foods in closed containers (2) with a process liquid (3), comprising at least one treatment zone (4), which treatment zone (4) is designed to apply the process liquid (3) to the outside (6) of closed containers (2), wherein the process liquid (3) flows around the outside (6) of the closed containers (2), means of transport (10) for transporting the containers (2) through the treatment zone(s) (4) and conduction elements (8) containing and/or conducting the process liquid for feeding liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) into a treatment zone (4) and conduction elements (8) for discharging liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) from the treatment zone(s) (4), additional conduction elements (8) for containing and/or conducting the process liquid (3) in the device (1) and at least one conveying means (11) for conveying liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) in the conduction elements (8), wherein the conduction elements (8) are designed and arranged such that the process liquid (3) can be at least partially recirculated again into the treatment zone (4) or into the treatment zones (4), and wherein the device (1) comprises at least one heating means (12) for heating the process liquid (3) and at least one cooling means (13) for cooling the process liquid (3), wherein the device (1) comprises at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47) and at least one membrane filtration system (19), wherein the at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47) and the at least one membrane filtration system (19) are operatively connected to the conduction elements (8) and/or to the treatment zones (4) in such a way that at least some of the total process liquid (3) fed through all existing treatment zones (4) per unit of time can be used to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid, the formed stream (20) or the formed streams (20) can be filtered by the at least one membrane filtration system (19) and/or irradiated by the at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47), and a filtered and/or irradiated stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid can be fed into at least one conduction element (8) and/or at least one treatment zone (4), wherein at least one adjustable splitting means (21) or multiple co-operating splitting means (21) are arranged on an inlet side of the at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47) and/or the at least one membrane filtration system (19) for controlled removal of a specifiable process liquid quantity per unit of time out of at least one conduction element (8) holding or conducting the process liquid (3) and for formation of the at least one stream (20) of the process liquid (3) to be irradiated and/or filtered.
40: Device according to claim 39, wherein is arranged at least one treatment zone (4) for heating the foods and/or containers (2), at least one treatment zone (4) for pasteurizing the foods, and at least one treatment zone (4) for cooling the foods and/or containers in succession along the direction of transport (26) of the foods or containers (2).
41: Device according to claim 39, wherein at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47) is operatively arranged immediately after a membrane filtration system (19) such that a filtered stream (46) of the process liquid can be irradiated by a UV irradiation apparatus (47) immediately after filtration.
42: Device according to claim 39, wherein a feeding element (22) of a membrane filtration system (19) is connected to a tempering-capable flow container (50) for the process liquid (3).
43: Device according to claim 39, wherein the number and irradiation power of the UV irradiation apparatus(es) (47) and the number and filtration capacity of the membrane filtration system(s) (19) are fixed such that the total process liquid drawn out of at least one conduction element (8) containing and/or conducting the process liquid per unit of time for forming at least one stream (20) of the process liquid during continuous treatment can be chosen such that the filtration and irradiation of the stream (20) or the streams (20) can achieve a removal rate of micro-organisms that is greater than the growth rate of the micro-organisms in the process liquid in the same unit of time.
44: Device according to claim 39, wherein in order to recirculate an irradiated and/or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid, draining elements (24) out of at least one UV irradiation apparatus (47) and/or out of at least one membrane filtration system (19) being connected to at least one conduction element (8) and/or at least one treatment zone (4) in such a way that an irradiated and/or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid can be fed into the conduction element(s) (8) and/or the treatment zone(s) (4) under the influence of gravity in free fall.
45: Device according to claim 39, wherein is arranged at least one treatment zone (4) for rinsing the outside (6) of closed containers filled with foodstuffs, which is placed at the end of the treatment zone line in the transport direction (26) of the containers (2) through the treatment zones (4) and which treatment zone (4) is connected to at least one draining element (24) of a UV irradiation apparatus (47) and/or a draining element (24) of a membrane filtration system (19) in order to rinse the containers by feeding in an irradiated and/or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid.
46: Device according to claim 39, wherein sensors (41) are placed in conduction elements (8) and/or in treatment zones (4) to continuously monitor the degree of contamination of the process liquid (3), especially by measuring the turbidity of the process liquid (3).
47: Device according to claim 39, wherein at least one switching means (42) is assigned to a feeding element (22) of a membrane filtration system (19) that is operatively connected to at least two different conduction elements (8) holding the process fluid in such a way that the stream (20) of process liquid to be filtered can be formed as needed either from one of the liquid streams (5) or multiple liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) in the conduction elements (8) or from multiple liquid streams (5).
48: Device according to claim 39, wherein at least one mixing element (43) is assigned to a feeding element (22) of a membrane filtration system (19) that is operatively connected to at least two different conduction elements (8) holding the process fluid in such a way that the stream (20) of process liquid to be filtered can be formed as desired either from one of the liquid streams (5) or multiple liquid streams (5) of the process liquid in the conduction elements (8) or a stream (20) of the process liquid to be filtered by the membrane filtration system (19) can be formed by removing and mixing specifiable partial quantities from multiple liquid streams (5) of the process liquid.
49: Use of a membrane filtration system (19) and a UV irradiation apparatus (47) for continuous cleaning and sterilization of a process liquid (3) in a device (1) for pasteurizing foods in containers (2), according to claim 39.
Description
[0081] Extremely simplified, schematic depictions show the following:
[0082] FIG. 1 An example embodiment of a known device for treating foods and/or containers with treatment zones in an extremely simplified, schematic, and not-to-scale depiction:
[0083] FIG. 2 A P&ID diagram of an example embodiment of a device for treating foods and/or containers in an extremely simplified depiction:
[0084] FIG. 3 Excerpts of a partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with UV irradiation apparatus and membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0085] FIG. 4 Excerpts of a partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with UV irradiation apparatus and membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0086] FIG. 5 Excerpts of another partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation apparatus and a membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0087] FIG. 6 Excerpts of another partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation apparatus and a membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0088] FIG. 7 Excerpts of another partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation apparatus and a membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0089] FIG. 8 Excerpts of another partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation apparatus and a membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0090] FIG. 9 An example design of a membrane filtration system with subsequent UV irradiation apparatus, schematic and in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0091] FIG. 10 Excerpts of another partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation apparatus and a membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction;
[0092] FIG. 11 Excerpts of another partial diagram of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation apparatus and a membrane filtration system in an extremely simplified depiction.
[0093] In introduction, let it be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference signs or identical part names, and that the disclosures contained in the description as a whole can be carried over analogously to identical parts with identical reference signs or identical part names. Likewise, positional information selected in the description, e.g. above, below, on the side, etc. refer to the directly described and depicted figure and if the position is changed, this positional information carries over analogously to the new position.
[0094] FIG. 1 shows an example of an arrangement of treatment zones of a device 1 for treating foods and/or treating containers 2 for holding foods in a schematic and extremely simplified depiction. The foods and containers 2 are treated by a process liquid 3 in at least one treatment zone 4. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the foodstuffs to be treated are located in closed containers 2 and are treated using a process liquid 3 by having a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 flow around the outside 6 of the containers 2. In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 through a treatment zone 4 is generated by the process liquid 3 being split by splitting devices such as spray nozzles 7 on the top of the treatment zone 4 and the liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 traversing the treatment zones 4 from top to bottom. A liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 is fed into a treatment zone 4 using structurally suitable conduction elements 8 like piping connected to the spray nozzles 7. In an analogous manner, after passing through a treatment zone 4 a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 is removed from a treatment zone 4 again by means of other conduction elements 8 assigned to the bottom of a treatment zone 4. The conduction elements 8 provided to drain a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 out of a treatment zone 4 can be formed by, for example, collecting tubs 9 that collect the liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 sprinkling through a treatment zone 4 at the bottom of the treatment zone 4. The process liquid 3 caught by the collecting tubs 8, 9 can then be discharged out of a treatment zone 4 by conduction elements 8 or piping 8 connected to the collecting tubs 8, 9, as shown schematically in FIG. 1.
[0095] The containers 2 can be transported through the treatment zones 4 using suitable means of transport 10 such as conveying means belts or the like, e.g. on two levels from left to right as shown in FIG. 1 by the arrows 26 depicting a transport direction 26 for the containers 2.
[0096] Alternately to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a treatment zone for treating the foods using a process liquid can naturally be created in other ways as well. For example, a treatment zone for treating a liquid foodstuff can be designed as a heat exchanger in which the liquid foodstuff and the process liquid are conducted past each other while materially separated, as is for example typical when pasteurising milk. The description of the invented device 1 using the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is continued below, though it is noted at this juncture that the invention is not limited to the example embodiments specifically depicted below but also comprises alternative designs.
[0097] In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the two treatment zones 4 depicted on the left side in FIG. 1 can be used e.g. for successive heating of the containers 2 or the foods found in the containers. The treatment zone 4 depicted in the middle of FIG. 1 can be used e.g. for pasteurising foods and the two treatment zones 4 depicted on the right side in FIG. 1 can be used for sequential cooling of the foods and containers. The corresponding treatment steps for heating, pasteurising, and cooling can be executed by feeding a suitably tempered liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 in the relevant treatment zone 4. It can be practical for a liquid stream 5 to be fed into at least one treatment zone 4 for heating the foods and/or containers at a temperature between 40° C. and 50° C.
[0098] To feed a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 into the relevant treatment zone 4, conveying means 11 can be assigned to the treatment zones 4 as can be seen in the flow diagram depicted in FIG. 2. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the same reference signs and part names will be used for the same parts in FIG. 2 as in the preceding FIG. 1, with only three treatment zones 4 being depicted in FIG. 2 for greater clarity. The treatment zone 4 depicted in FIG. 2 left can again be used, for example, for heating the containers or foods, while the treatment zone 4 drawn in FIG. 2 middle can be provided for pasteurisation and the treatment zone 4 drawn in FIG. 2 right can be provided for cooling the containers and foods.
[0099] The example embodiment of a flow diagram of a device 1 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a heating means 12 for heating the process liquid 3 and a cooling means 13 for cooling the process liquid 3. In the case of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the process liquid 3 is fed into and/or conducted through the heating means 12 by an additional conveying means 11 out of a conduction element 8 in the form of a liquid tank 14 via conduction elements 8 in the form of piping or the like. The process liquid 3 in the heating means 12 can be heated in a great variety of ways, for example by heat transfer to the process liquid through a heating medium, for example saturated steam. In principle, any source of heat can be used to heat the process liquid 3, though it can be practical for pasteurising food for the heating means 12 for heating the process liquid 3 to be set to a temperature of at least 80° C. After running through the heating means 12, the liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 heated in this way can be fed into the treatment zones 4 through conduction elements 8, e.g. piping.
[0100] Other methods for treating the foods and containers are also conceivable alternately or additionally to the example embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. For example, a process liquid, especially process water for treating foods and/or containers can also be heated above the boiling point of the process water, so to a temperature above 100° C., and fed into a treatment zone as superheated steam. This may be practical for purposes of e.g. sterilisation. In another example, dipping methods are also possible in which containers holding food are dipped into the process liquid.
[0101] To cool the process liquid 3, the process liquid 3 can be fed into the cooling means 13 as shown in FIG. 2, for example out of a liquid tank 15. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cooling means 13 is connected to the liquid tank, for example a cold water tank 15, by conduction elements 8 in such a way that a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 can be removed by a conveying means 11 from the liquid tank 15 and returned to the liquid tank 15 after completed cooling of the liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3. The cooling means 13 can, for example, be executed as a cooling tower or heat exchanger in which the process liquid 3 is cooled by air or another cooling medium flowing in the opposite direction.
[0102] As can further be seen from FIG. 2, the conduction elements 8 for holding and conducting the process liquid 3 or the liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 in the device 1 are designed or arranged such that the process liquid 3 can be at least partially recirculated into the treatment zones 4 again. For better clarity, the flow directions for the liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 for the treatment mode of device 1 are indicated in FIG. 2 by arrows. Closable emptying devices 16 are provided to discharge a partial quantity of the process liquid 3 and at least one closable conduction element 8 designed as a feeding device 17 is arranged to feed in fresh process liquid 3. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2, flow regulator apparatuses 18 are provided in the conduction elements 8 placed on the inlet side of the treatment zones 4, by which flow regulator apparatuses 18 the liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 can be mixed at different temperature levels in a controlled manner. This makes it possible to purposefully set the temperature of the liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 separately for each treatment zone 4. In place of the depicted flow regulator apparatuses 18, three-way mixing valves or other suitable means can be provided for controlled mixing and setting of the temperature of a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3.
[0103] Of course, the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2 only shows one design of a device 1 for treating products and containers. For example, for some embodiments of devices for treating foods and/or containers it is typical to feed a liquid stream directly into another treatment zone after it is drained from one treatment zone. This is useful, for example, if a liquid stream of the process liquid drained out of a treatment zone has a temperature level suitable for treating the foods and/or containers in another treatment zone. Such alternative or supplementary designs to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can be executed as needed by a person with skill in the relevant art or are sufficiently known from the prior art that the presentation of further example embodiments at this juncture can be omitted.
[0104] FIG. 3 shows excerpts of a diagram of a device 1 for treating foods and/or containers, wherein at least one membrane filtration system 19 and at least one UV irradiation apparatus 47 are provided in the device 1 for cleaning and sterilisation of the process liquid. FIG. 3 uses the same reference signs and part names for the same parts as were used in the preceding FIGS. 1 and 2. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the above FIG. 1, 2.
[0105] The UV irradiation apparatus 47 and the membrane filtration system 19 shown as examples in FIG. 3 are operatively connected to the conduction elements 8 and/or to the treatment zones 4 such that at least some or all of the total process liquid conducted through all existing treatment zones 4 per time unit is used to form at least one stream 20, 20 of the process liquid to be filtered and/or irradiated, the resulting stream 20 or resulting streams 20 are filtered by the at least one membrane filtration system 19 and/or irradiated by the at least one UV irradiation apparatus 17 and a filtered and/or irradiated stream 46, 48 of the process liquid can be at least partially fed into a conduction element 8 and/or a treatment zone 4. Forming a stream to be filtered and/or irradiated by using the total quantity of process liquid circulated through one or more treatment zone(s) can above all be practical in small-sized devices for treating foods and/or containers.
[0106] In principle, any given liquid stream 5 of the process liquid can be used to form a stream 20 of the process liquid to be filtered and/or irradiated and/or partial quantities of the process liquid can be taken from any liquid stream 5 to form a stream 20. Likewise, a filtered and/or conducted stream 46, 48 of the process liquid can in principle be returned to any conduction element 8 for the process liquid and/or to any treatment zone 4. However, certain variations of incorporating one or more membrane filtration system(s) 19 and/or UV irradiation apparatus(es) 47 offer advantages that are explained in more detail below using additional example embodiments depicted in the figures.
[0107] In the excerpts of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a formed stream 20 is fed into a membrane filtration system 19 (left in FIG. 3) and a formed stream 20 is fed into a UV irradiation apparatus 37 (right in FIG. 3).
[0108] The membrane filtration system 19 shown by way of example in FIG. 3 is placed bypass-like between a conduction element conducting a liquid stream 5 and a treatment zone 3. The UV irradiation apparatus 47 shown by way of example is placed bypass-like between two conduction elements 8. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a filtered stream 46 is fed into a treatment zone 4 and an irradiated stream 48 is fed into a conduction element 8. It would of course also be possible to feed a filtered stream into a conduction element 8 and an irradiated stream 48 into a treatment zone 4.
[0109] In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, suitable splitting means 21 are used to remove a partial quantity of a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid per time unit to form a stream 20 to be filtered or irradiated. For controlled removal of a partial quantity out of the liquid stream 5 to form a stream 20, something like a splitting means 21 in the form of a flow regulator apparatus 18 can be placed in a feeding element 22 into a membrane filtration system 19 or into a UV irradiation apparatus 47, as shown on the left in FIG. 3. Alternately; as shown for example on the right in FIG. 3, a three-way splitting valve 23 can also be used as a splitting means 21. An additional splitting means 21 in the form of a conveying means 11 or pump can be arranged to work together with a valve 18, 23 in order to allow controlled removal of a partial quantity of the process liquid out of the conduction element 8. Preferably, however, the placement of an additional conveying means 11 in a feeding element 22 of a UV irradiation apparatus 47 or a membrane filtration system 19 is omitted and, as shown on the left in FIG. 3, the removal of a partial quantity of the process liquid is accomplished using only one conveying means 11 placed in a conduction element 8 of the device 1.
[0110] The treatment zone 4 shown on the left in FIG. 3 can again, for example, be designed as a heating zone for the foods or containers, the treatment zone 4 shown in the middle of FIG. 3 can be for pasteurising the food, and the treatment zone 4 shown on the right in FIG. 3 can be for cooling the foods or containers. Accordingly, during ongoing treatment mode of the device 1 the pasteurisation zone 4 placed in the middle would be fed a liquid stream 5 of a high-temperature process liquid, while the treatment zones 4 for heating and cooling the foods and containers would be fed liquid streams 5 at comparably low temperatures.
[0111] As indicated in FIG. 3, in order to spare the membrane filtration system 19 a liquid stream 5 at a relatively low temperature can be used to form a stream 20 of the process liquid to be filtered. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, feeding elements 22 of the depicted membrane filtration system 19 are operatively connected to the conduction elements 8 leading to the heating treatment zone, i.e. the treatment zone 4 depicted on the left in FIG. 3. These conduction elements 8 hold a liquid stream 5 of relatively low-temperature process liquid. It is preferable for the at least one membrane filtration system for forming a stream 20 of the process liquid to be filtered to be operatively connected to locations with conduction elements 8 of the device 1 in such a way as to ensure that process liquids with a temperature between 40° C. and 50° C. are used to form at least one stream 20 to be filtered. As has been shown, membrane filtration and the filtration performance of a stream 20 of process liquid is particularly efficient in this temperature range.
[0112] As is further shown in FIG. 3, it can further be provided that a feeding element 22 of a membrane filtration system 19 be connected to a tempering-capable flow container 50 for the process liquid. Such a flow container 50 can, for example, be designed as a buffer with integrated heat exchanger or as a buffer with electric heating, etc. In this way a stream 20 can be formed by removing the process liquid from the tempering-capable flow container 50 for the process liquid.
[0113] Alternatively to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an entire liquid stream 5 of the process liquid can be used to form a stream 20 of the process liquid, as is shown schematically in FIG. 4. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a membrane filtration system 19 and a UV irradiation apparatus 47 are operatively arranged serially in a conduction element 9 leading to a treatment zone 4. This way the entire liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 conducted through the conduction element 8 is directed through the depicted membrane filtration system 19 and the depicted UV irradiation apparatus 47 and in the example shown in FIG. 4 fed into a treatment zone 4 after completed membrane filtration and UV irradiation. As shown in FIG. 4, in such an arrangement providing an additional conveying means 11 to bring the process liquid 3 into a treatment zone 4 after completed membrane filtration and UV irradiation can be necessary because of the loss of pressure over the membrane filtration system 19 and the UV irradiation apparatus 47.
[0114] A UV irradiation apparatus suitable for executing the method or for use in the device can in principle be designed in a variety of ways. It is presupposed as generally known that UV irradiation apparatuses with radiation sources that radiate or consist of UV light with a wavelength equal to or smaller than 254 nm are particularly effective. In particular, this so-called UVC light breaks molecular bonds in the DNA of micro-organisms, killing the micro-organisms or at least converting them into a harmless, non-reproducing state. Mercury vapour lamps or amalgam lamps are often used as UVC radiation source(s).
[0115] It is preferable for UV irradiation apparatuses to be placed in the device that are intended to flow through the liquid to be irradiated and sterilised, i.e. that are designed as flow apparatuses. Such UV irradiation apparatuses can e.g. comprise a chemical-resistant sheath, made e.g. of rust-proof stainless steel, inside which the UVC radiation source(s) is placed. The sheath can have at least one feeding element and at least one draining element so that the liquid to be sterilised can be fed through the inside of the UV irradiation apparatus or the internal space defined by the sheath and irradiated. The radiation source(s), e.g. medium pressure mercury vapour lamp(s) can or could, for example, be placed in a quartz glass sleeve in the internal space of the UV irradiation apparatus defined by the sheath so that the liquid being irradiated flows around the radiation source(s). Alternately, it can also be provided that the liquid to be irradiated be conducted into the internal space of a UV irradiation apparatus in one or more UV-transparent conduit(s) and irradiated by the radiation source(s) from outside. These kinds of UV irradiation apparatuses are in principle known in the prior art.
[0116] It is important here for the irradiation power of a UV irradiation apparatus to be selected so that an effective, germ-reducing dose of the UVC radiation can be applied to the liquid to be irradiated. The effectiveness of a UV irradiation apparatus in regard to reducing germ content is directly dependent on the applied UV dose. The UV light dose is a product of the UV light intensity and irradiation time. Therefore the UV dose of a UV irradiation apparatus depends, among other things, on factors like the flow rate and speed of the liquid through the UV irradiation apparatus, UV translucence, and the turbidity of the liquid. When it comes to long-term effectiveness, however, the formation of deposits on the radiation source and decreasing radiation intensity with increasing lamp age must also be taken into account. It can therefore be practical for the UV irradiation apparatus to include monitoring devices that monitor the radiation output/intensity of the radiation source(s) so that a radiation source can be replaced if the radiation intensity is no longer sufficient.
[0117] In regard to the penetration depth of the UVC radiation into the liquid being irradiated, elements can for example be placed in the internal space of the sheath of a UV irradiation apparatus through which a stream conducted through the UV irradiation apparatus can be manipulated. For example, dividing a stream conducted through a UV irradiation apparatus can be useful or specially guiding it through redirecting elements in the internal space of the sheath of the UV irradiation apparatus. In addition, reflecting elements can be useful for better distribution of the UV radiation in the liquid flowing through.
[0118] FIG. 5 depicts another example embodiment of a device 1 for treating foods and/or containing, where once again the same reference signs and part names are used for the same parts as have been used in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 4. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the above FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIG. 5, a UV irradiation apparatus 47 is operatively placed directly after a membrane filtration system 19. This way a filtered stream 46 can be fed into a UV irradiation apparatus 47 immediately after the filtration process and irradiated. A filtered and irradiated stream 49 of the process liquid can again thereafter be fed back into a conduction element 8 holding and/or conducting the process liquid and/or at least one treatment zone 4. In the example embodiment as in FIG. 5, a filtered and irradiated stream 49 is fed into a treatment zone 4.
[0119] It is preferable for the number and irradiation power of the UV irradiation apparatus(es) 47 and the number and filtration capacity of the membrane filtration system(s) 19 in the device 1 to be fixed or designed such that the total process liquid quantity drawn out of at least one conduction element 8 holding and/or conducting the process liquid per time unit for forming at least one stream 20 of the process liquid 3 during continuous treatment can be chosen such that the filtration and UV irradiation of the stream 20 or the streams 20 can achieve a removal rate of micro-organisms that is greater than the growth rate of these micro-organisms in the process liquid 3 in the same interval or time unit.
[0120] It is preferable to feed an irradiated and/or filtered stream 46, 48, 49 of the process liquid into a treatment zone 4 and/or a conduction element 8 without conveying means 11. For this purpose, it can be useful for the draining elements 24 of a UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or of a membrane filtration system 19 to be connected e.g. to a treatment zone 4 in such a way that at least one filtered and/or irradiated stream 46, 48, 49 of the process liquid can be fed into the treatment zone 4 under the influence of gravity, in free fall. Such an example embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 as an example of feeding a filtered and irradiated stream 49 into a treatment zone 4. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, FIG. 6 once again uses the same reference signs and part names for the same parts as are used in the preceding FIGS. 1 and 5.
[0121] FIG. 6 depicts an example embodiment of a technical connection of a UV irradiation apparatus 47 to a treatment zone 4 in which a draining element 24 leading from the UV irradiation apparatus 47 to the treatment zone 4 is arranged in such a way that a constant gradient from top to bottom in the direction from the UV irradiation apparatus 47 to the treatment zone 4 is formed, as a result of which the stream 49 of the process liquid 3 conducted away from the UV irradiation apparatus 47 to the treatment zone 4, irradiated, and filtered can flow under the influence of gravity. To introduce the irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 into the treatment zone 4, one or more opening(s) 25 in the treatment zone 4 can or could easily be designed in the treatment zone 4 or connected to the draining elements 24 so that the irradiated and filtered stream 49 can flow into the treatment zone 4.
[0122] Alternately to the design depicted in FIG. 6, only a membrane filtration system or only a UV irradiation apparatus can be placed at this location in the device 1 instead of the combination of one membrane filtration system 19 and one UV irradiation apparatus 47 technically placed one after the other. It is also possible for one only directly filtered stream or one only directly irradiated stream to be fed into at least one treatment zone 4. To achieve this, draining elements of a membrane filtration system or draining elements of a UV irradiation apparatus would be operatively connected to at least one treatment zone.
[0123] FIG. 7 depicts excerpts of another, potentially independent embodiment of the device 1, where once again the same reference signs and part names are used for the same parts as have been used in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 6. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the above FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 7 represents an arrangement for feeding an irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 into a conduction element 8 for the process liquid 3, for example a liquid tank 15. The draining elements 24 again extend from top to bottom in a constant gradient from the UV irradiation apparatus 47 down to the liquid tank 8, 15 so that the irradiated and filtered stream 49 can flow through the opening(s) 25 in the liquid tank 8, 15.
[0124] Alternately to the design depicted in FIG. 7, only a membrane filtration system or only a UV irradiation apparatus can again be placed at this location in the device 1 instead of the combination of one membrane filtration system 19 and one UV irradiation apparatus 47 technically placed one after the other. It is therefore again possible for one only directly filtered stream or one only directly irradiated stream to be fed into at least one conduction element 8. To achieve this, draining elements of a membrane filtration system or draining elements of a UV irradiation apparatus would be operatively connected to a conduction element.
[0125] FIG. 8 depicts excerpts of another, potentially independent embodiment of the device 1, where once again the same reference signs and part names are used for the same parts as have been used in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 7. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the above FIGS. 1 to 7. In FIG. 8, a treatment zone 4 is arranged for rinsing the outside 6 of the closed containers 2 filled with food, which at least one treatment zone 4 is arranged at the end of the treatment zone line in the transport direction 26 of the containers 2 through the treatment zones 4. In the example embodiment in FIG. 8, an irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 is fed into this treatment zone 4 for cleaning the containers 2. The treatment zone 4 is again operatively connected to a draining element 24 of a UV irradiation apparatus 47 for this purpose. In addition, the treatment zone 4 can be assigned e.g. a fan 27 for drying the containers 2 with drying air or another drying device.
[0126] Also alternately to the design depicted in FIG. 8, only a membrane filtration system or only a UV irradiation apparatus can again be placed at this location in the device 1 instead of the combination of one membrane filtration system 19 and one UV irradiation apparatus 47 technically placed one after the other. This makes it possible for an only directly filtered stream or an only directly irradiated stream to be fed into the treatment zone 4 for rinsing the containers 2. To achieve this, draining elements of a membrane filtration system or draining elements of a UV irradiation apparatus would be operatively connected to at least one treatment zone and/or a conduction element.
[0127] FIG. 9 depicts an example embodiment of a design of a membrane filtration system 19. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, please refer again to the detailed description in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 8, where the same reference signs and part names are used for the same parts as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 8. Let it be noted at this point that the example embodiment of a membrane filtration system shown in FIG. 9 is only an example and in principle embodiments of a membrane filtration system executed in other ways can be suitable for the method and device for treating foods and containers.
[0128] As already explained in detail, during filtration the membrane filtration system 19 as per the example embodiment in FIG. 9 is fed a stream 20 of the process liquid 3 through the feeding elements 22, where a partial quantity fed in per time unit can be specified e.g. using a flow regulator apparatus 18. The stream 20 of the process liquid 3 to be filtered can, for example, be directed by a three-way valve 29 into a pressure vessel 30 in which filter membrane modules 31 are arranged to filter the process liquid 3.
[0129] The filter membrane modules 31 shown in FIG. 9 can consist of a great variety of membranes. The construction of the membranes can be homogeneous or inhomogeneous and can exhibit different symmetries in cross-section. In particular, porous membranes in capillary or hollow fibre form and/or flat membranes can be used. The membranes can be made out of various materials. Examples of suitable membrane materials are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyether sulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EDPM), polyurethane, or cellulose acetate. It is preferable to use membrane materials that are hydrophilic. Alternately and/or additionally to plastic membranes, ceramic materials can also be used to form the membranes of the filter membrane modules 31. Particularly suitable are chlorine-resistant membrane materials that can withstand a chlorine exposure of more than 200,000 ppm*h and preferably more than 2,000,000 ppm*h.
[0130] The example embodiment shown in FIG. 9 shows operation of the device 1 and the membrane filtration system(s) 19 under high pressure. Alternately or additionally, low pressure zones can also be arranged in at least sections of the device 1; running a membrane filtration system 19 at low pressure is particularly conceivable. For example, suction devices (not shown) can be placed in the draining elements 24, by which a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 can be suctioned from a filter membrane module 31. For this reason, the filter membranes of the filter membrane modules 31 are preferably designed to withstand high and low pressure and suited for trans-membrane pressures and pressure differences of at least 1,000 mbar without permanent blocking of the membranes during ongoing operation of the membrane filtration system 19. Where needed, membranes suitable for pressures of e.g. 2,000 mbar and up to 5,000 mbar over the particular membrane can also be used. During filtration, the transmembrane pressure difference should preferably be less than 5 bar, especially less than 2 bar, and particularly preferably 1 bar or less. It is preferable to use porous membranes, with the effective pore diameter of a particular membrane lying in a range between 0.01 □m and 1 □m, membranes with effective pore diameters between 0.05 □m and 0.5 □m are particularly suitable for the filter membrane modules 31 of the membrane filtration system(s) 19.
[0131] The example embodiment shown in FIG. 9 depicts what is called the “outside-in” mode of the membrane filtration system 19, in which the stream 20 of the process liquid 3 to be filtered enters the filter membrane modules 31 from outside during filtration, filters through the filter membranes of the filter membrane modules 31, and a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 is drained out of the inside of the filter membrane modules 31 using draining elements 24. Alternately to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 9, there is also what is called “inside-out” operation in which a stream 20 of the process liquid 3 to be filtered is fed into the inside of the filter membrane modules 31 during filtration and a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 exits on the outside of the filter membrane modules 31. In addition, both a so-called “cross-flow” mode and a cyclical “dead-end” interconnection are possible when it comes to the flow of the stream 20 of the process liquid 3 into a filter membrane module 31. Finally, submerged membrane configurations in which a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 is suctioned off by low pressure are also possible. When a membrane filtration system 19 is in a submerged configuration, a cyclical or acyclical air bubble rinse or air turbulence can be provided or executed to counter the formation of a layer on the membrane surfaces.
[0132] In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 9, after the process liquid 3 passes through the filter membrane modules 31 and filtration is completed, the filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 is drained out of the membrane filtration system 19 through the draining elements 24 again. As shown in FIG. 9, it can be advisable here to place a receiving container with an overflow 32 in the drain 24, which depending on its dimensions is designed for temporary storage of a certain volume of the filtered process liquid 3 or a filtrate 33. In particular, this filtrate 33 of the process liquid 3 can be used to clean via flushing by reversing the flow direction through the filter membrane modules 31.
[0133] To run a cleaning mode for the filter membrane modules 31, closures 34 are placed in the feeding elements 22 and the draining elements 24 that permit mechanical separation of the membrane filtration system 19 from the other structural elements of the device for treating foods and containers. In addition, at least one conveying means 11 is placed in the receiving container 32 and/or a backflush line 35 extending between the receiving container 32 and the draining elements 24 of the membrane filtration system 19. This way appropriate switching of the three-way valves 29 can reverse the flow direction in the membrane filtration system 19 such that the process liquid 3 flows through the filter membrane modules 31 in the reverse direction 36 than in filtration mode. To drain the liquid waste accrued in the course of cleaning by reversing the flow direction through the filter membranes of the membrane filter system 19, the member filter system 19 is assigned at least one closable liquid waste line 37. A quantity of fresh process liquid 3 equal to the drained quantity of liquid waste can, for example, be provided by the feeding device 17 for fresh process liquid 3 shown in FIG. 2.
[0134] As further shown in FIG. 9, a dispensing device 38 can be placed in a draining element 24 and/or in the backflush piping 35 of the one membrane filtration system 19 through which the process liquid 3 or the filtrate 33 of the process liquid 3 can be admixed with chemicals from one or more chemical sources 39 both during filtration and when cleaning the membrane filtration system 19. Chemicals can be admixed during filtration through the three-way valve 29 arranged in the drain 24. In addition, an adsorption device 40 can be placed in the drain 24 of the membrane filtration system 19 that allows removal or separation of substances dissolved, suspended, or dispersed in a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3.
[0135] In connection with the cleaning of the filter membranes of a membrane filtration system 19 by backfiushing it can also be advisable to arrange a UV irradiation apparatus 47 between a membrane filtration system 19 and a receiving container 32, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 9. This permits UV irradiation of the process liquid 3 collected in the receiving container 32 during a backflushing/cleaning process for a membrane filtration system 19 and allows a backfiushing liquid with particularly low germ content to be used for backflushing the filter membranes.
[0136] FIG. 10 depicts excerpts of another, potentially independent embodiment of the device 1, where once again the same reference signs and part names are used for the same parts as have been used in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 9. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the above FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 10 depicts sensors 41 that are designed for continuous monitoring of the degree of contamination, especially by measuring the turbidity of the process liquid. Sensors 41 for measuring or monitoring the turbidity of the process liquid can, for example, be placed in the conduction elements 8 and/or in the treatment zones 4 of the device 1.
[0137] The measured values of the sensors 41 can be used to assign a UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or a membrane filtration system 19 to different treatment zones 4 or conduction elements 8 for liquid streams of the process liquid via switching means and directing elements, as shown by way of example in FIG. 10. Switching between conduction elements 8 and/or treatment zones 4 can naturally also be done based on measurements using random samples taken from the device 1.
[0138] To switch a membrane filtration system 19 or UV irradiation apparatus 47 to different conduction elements 8, the feeding elements 22 of a UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or a membrane filtration system 19 can, for example, each be assigned two switching means 42, 42, as shown in FIG. 10. The two depicted switching means 42, 42 are operatively connected to two different conduction elements 8, 8 holding the process liquid in such a way that a stream 20 of the process liquid can be formed either out of one of the two liquid streams 5, 5 of the process liquid in the conduction elements 8, 8 or out of both liquid streams 5, 5. For this purpose the two switching means 42, 42 can be designed as so-called “open-shut valves” so that each of the two switching means 42, 42 can operatively open or close the supply of process liquid into a UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or a membrane filtration system 19. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the membrane filtration system 19 shown on the left side also has a UV irradiation apparatus 47 operatively placed directly after it.
[0139] A suitable alternative to the example embodiment shown in FIG. 10 would naturally also be one switching means 42 designed as a 3-way switching means (not shown in FIG. 10) for switching the feeding elements 22 of the right-hand UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or the left-hand membrane filtration system 19 to one of the two conduction elements 8. The switching means 42 designed as 3-way switching means 42 would again be assigned the feeding elements 22 of the UV irradiation apparatus 47 or of the membrane filtration system 19 on the one hand and connected to two different conduction elements 8, 8 on the other hand.
[0140] In FIG. 10 and below, the depiction and description using 2-way switching means is maintained for better understanding, with it being noted at this juncture that the placement of a switchable UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or membrane filtration system 19 on the inlet or outlet side can be designed in numerous ways and is not limited to the example embodiments depicted in FIG. 10 and below.
[0141] Instead of switching means 42, a feeding element 22 of a UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or a membrane filtration system 19 can also be assigned two mixing means 43, 43 as indicated in FIG. 10. The mixing means 43, 43 are again operatively connected to two different conduction elements 8, 8 holding the process liquid in such a way that the stream 20 of the process liquid can again be formed either out of one of the two liquid streams 5, 5 of the process liquid or out of both liquid streams 5, 5 in the conduction elements 8, 8 or by removing and mixing specifiable partial quantities from the two liquid streams 5, 5 of the process liquid. For this purpose, the mixing means 43, 43 can for example be designed as flow regulator valves.
[0142] Of course, a UV irradiation apparatus 47 and/or a membrane filtration system 19 can also be assigned more than two switching means 42 and/or mixing means 43, which can accordingly be connected to more than two conduction elements 8. The measured values of the turbidity measurement sensors 41 can, for example, be used to feed a process liquid with relatively low turbidity directly into a UV irradiation apparatus 47. On the other hand, a relatively strongly contaminated or turbid process liquid can be fed into a membrane filtration system 19 based on the turbidity monitoring.
[0143] FIG. 11 depicts excerpts of another, potentially independent embodiment of the device 1, where once again the same reference signs and part names are used for the same parts as have been used in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 10. To avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to the detailed description in the above FIGS. 1 to 10. In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, a drain 24 of a membrane filtration system 19 is assigned three switching means 44, 44. A switching means is operatively connected to a conduction element 8 in the form of a liquid tank 15. Another switching means 44 is operatively connected to a treatment zone 4. A third switching means 44 is connected to a UV irradiation apparatus 47. These example designs of the device 1 can feed a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 either into the conduction element 8 in the form of a liquid tank 15 or the treatment zone 4 or the UV irradiation apparatus 47 or into all of the conduction element 8, the treatment zone 4, and the UV irradiation apparatus 47.
[0144] For this purpose, the three switching means 44, 44, 44 in FIG. 11 can again be designed as so-called “open/shut valves” so that each of the three switching means 44, 44, 44 can operatively open or close the discharge of a filtered stream 46 out of the membrane filtration system 19 into the treatment zone 4 and/or the at least one conduction element 8 and/or the at least one UV irradiation apparatus 47.
[0145] Instead of switching means 44, a draining element 24 of a membrane filtration system 19 can also be assigned three splitting means 45, 45, 45 as indicated in FIG. 11. A splitting means 45 is again operatively connected to a conduction element 8 in the form of a liquid tank 15. A second splitting means 45 is operatively connected to a treatment zone 4. Finally, a third splitting means 45 is connected to the depicted UV irradiation apparatus 47. Because of this design, the filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 can again be fed either into the conduction element 8 designed as a liquid tank 15 and/or the treatment zone 4 and/or the UV irradiation apparatus 47. Alternately, the liquid tank 15 and/or the treatment zone 4 and/or the UV irradiation apparatus 47 can each be fed specifiable partial quantities of the filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3. For this purpose, the splitting means 45, 45, 45 can, for example, again be designed as flow regulator valves. A membrane filtration system 19 can again be assigned more than three switching means 44 and/or splitting means 45, which can accordingly be connected to multiple conduction elements 8 and/or multiple treatment zones 4 and/or multiple UV irradiation apparatuses 47.
[0146] The UV irradiation apparatus 47 depicted in FIG. 11 is connected on the outlet side to at least one treatment zone 4 and/or at least one conduction element 8, 15 by switching means 44 and/or splitting means 45 in order to be able to feed a filtered and irradiated stream 49 into the treatment zone 4 and/or the conduction element 8.
[0147] The example embodiments show possible variations of the method and the device for treating foods and/or containers; let it be noted at this juncture that the invention is not limited to the specially portrayed variations of embodiments themselves, but that diverse combinations of the individual variations of embodiments are possible and that this possibility of variation falls within the competence of a person active in this technical field based on the teaching regarding technical action provided by this invention.
[0148] Furthermore, individual characteristics or combinations of characteristics from the depicted and described various example embodiments can constitute independent inventive or invented solutions.
[0149] The aim underlying the independent invented solutions can be taken from the description.
[0150] All information regarding ranges of values in this description should be understood to mean that these include any and all partial ranges, e.g. the statement 1 to 10 should be understood to mean that all partial ranges starting from the lower threshold 1 and the upper threshold 10 are included, i.e. all partial ranges begin with a lower threshold of 1 or larger and with an upper threshold of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7 or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10.
[0151] Above all, the individual embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 can form the subject of independent invented solutions. The relevant aims according to the invention and solutions can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.
[0152] As a matter of form, let it be noted that, to facilitate a better understanding of the design of the device for treating foods and/or containers, these and their components have in places been portrayed not to scale and/or enlarged and/or scaled-down.
TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs 1 Device 2 Container 3 Process liquid 4 Treatment zone 5 Liquid stream 6 Outside 7 Spray nozzle 8 Conduction element 9 Collecting tub 10 Means of transport 11 Conveying means 12 Heating means 13 Cooling means 14 Liquid tank 15 Liquid tank 16 Emptying device 17 Feeding device 18 Flow regulator apparatus 19 Membrane filtration system 20 Stream 21 Splitting means 22 Feeding element 23 Three-way splitting valve 24 Draining element 25 Opening 26 Direction of transport 27 Fan 28 Inside 29 Three-way valve 30 Pressure vessel 31 Filter membrane module 32 Receiving container 33 Filtrate 34 Closure 35 Backflush piping 36 Direction 37 Liquid waste line 38 Dispensing device 39 Chemical source 40 Adsorption device 41 Sensor 42 Switching means 43 Mixing means 44 Switching means 45 Splitting means 46 Stream 47 UV irradiation apparatus 48 Stream 49 Stream 50 Flow container
