Method and system for treating milk

An apparatus for treating milk for reducing a microbial population in a liquid milk product, the apparatus comprising:

• a first channel comprising:
• a first channel inlet;
• a first channel outlet;
• at least one first ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitter configured to emit UV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product;
• and
• a first turbulence promoter configured to create turbulence in the liquid milk product to expose the liquid milk product in the first channel to the UV-C light;
• a container comprising:
• a container inlet which is in fluid communication with the first channel outlet;
• a container outlet;
• at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the liquid milk product in the container to cause cavitation in the liquid milk product to lyse microbial cells in the liquid milk product;
• a second channel comprising:
• a second channel inlet which is in fluid communication with the container outlet;
• a second channel outlet;
• at least one second ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitter configured to emit UV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product;
• and
• a second turbulence promoter configured to create turbulence in the liquid milk product to expose the liquid milk product in the second channel to the UV-C light.

An apparatus for treating milk for reducing a microbial population in a liquid milk product, the apparatus comprising:

• a first channel comprising:
• a first channel inlet;
• a first channel outlet;
• at least one first ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitter configured to emit UV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product;
• a container comprising:
• a container inlet which is in fluid communication with the first channel outlet;
• a container outlet;
• at least one ultrasonic transducer configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the liquid milk product in the container to cause cavitation in the liquid milk product to lyse microbial cells in the liquid milk product;
• a second channel comprising:
• a second channel inlet which is in fluid communication with the container outlet;
• a second channel outlet;
• at least one second ultraviolet-C (UV-C) emitter configured to emit UV-C light to irradiate the liquid milk product to reduce a microbial population in the liquid milk product.