Biosolids pasteurization systems and methods
AssigneeAshbrook Corporation
InventorsJames Thompson, James Helmick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and processes are presented which reduce space requirements for pasteurization equipment. The systems include an enclosure defining a heating chamber, and a liquid flow conduit positioned within the heating chamber, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path for a slurry to be pasteurized. The slurry is heated via indirect contact heat transfer from ambient temperature to a minimum temperature after the slurry is introduced into the flow conduit. The means for heating is positioned inside the heating chamber.
Claims16
A pasteurization system, comprising:
- a) an enclosure defining a heating chamber;
- b) a liquid flow conduit positioned within the heating chamber, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path for a slurry to be pasteurized from said inlet toward said outlet at a predetermined rate for establishing a minimum period of residence time of the slurry within said flow conduit sufficient to kill all pathogens in said slurry while the slurry is heated from ambient temperature to a predetermined minimum temperature of between about 145 and 160 degrees F. while the slurry traverses the conduit;
- and
- c) means for heating, via indirect contact heat transfer, the slurry from ambient temperature to said minimum temperature after said slurry is introduced into said flow conduit, said means for heating positioned inside the heating chamber.
A pasteurization process comprising:
- a) providing an enclosure defining a heating chamber, and providing a flow conduit positioned in the heating chamber, the flow conduit having an inlet and an outlet;
- b) introducing a flow of a liquid slurry into said conduit at said inlet;
- c) introducing into the heating chamber a heat transfer fluid at a first temperature, said first temperature being not less than 160 F;
- d) heating said slurry via indirect contact heat transfer from ambient temperature to a predetermined minimum temperature of from about 145 F to about 160 F via indirect contact with said heat transfer fluid while said slurry traverses through the conduit;
- and
- e) maintaining said flow of slurry in said conduit at said predetermined temperature for a minimum period of about thirty minutes sufficient to kill substantially all pathogens in said slurry while maintaining a flow of said slurry from said outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.