Anaerobic pasteurizing conditioning system

An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system of the type wherein a vessel is adapted for the flow of matter to be conditioned therethrough and means are provided for injection of a treatment fluid therein, said system comprising:

• a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing said treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases, said gases containing insufficient oxygen for sustaining aerobic baterial growth;
• means for adjusting the combustion of said direct fired steam generator to produce a sufficient large volume of oxygen deficient non-condensible gases and steam for purging said matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in the said non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition in said vessel;
• means for introducing said steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases from said direct fired steam generator into said vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough;
• and
• means for permitting the exhaust of non-condensible gases from said vessel.

An anaerobic, pasteurizing conditioning system of the type wherein a vessel is adapted for the flow of matter to be conditioned therethrough and means are provided for injection of a treatment fluid therein, said system comprising:

• a direct fired steam generator adapted for producing said treatment fluid comprising steam and non-condensible gases, said gases containing insufficient oxygen for sustaining aerobic bacterial growth;
• means for introducing said steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases from said direct fired steam generator into said vessel for counter-current flow relative to matter passing therethrough;
• means for permitting the exhaust of non-condensible gases from said vessel after said gases pass through said matter therein;
• and
• means for controlling the operation of said direct fired steam generator for producing a sufficiently large volume of oxygen deficient gases and steam for purging said matter of other gases flowing therewith and maintaining the deficient oxygen level in said non-condensible gases for creating an anaerobic condition in said vessel.

An improved method of conditioning matter wherein said matter is exposed to steam within a conditioning vessel, the improvement comprising the steps of:

• producing steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gaes with a direct fired vapor generator;
• producing an anaerobic, oxygen deficient environment within said vessel by the introduction of said steam and non-condensible gases therein;
• providing means for imparting a homogeneous interaction between said matter and said steam and non-condensible gases within said vessel;
• providing said steam and non-condensible gases in sufficient volume and with sufficient enthalpy for substantially purging the system of all other oxygen laden gases for anaerobic pasteurization of matter passing therethrough;
• and
• issuing the anaerobically pasteurized matter from said vessel.

An improved method of conditioning matter wherein said matter is exposed to steam within a conditioning vessel, the improvement comprising the steps of:

• producing steam and oxygen deficient non-condensible gases with a direct fired vapor generator;
• adjusting the combustion conditions of said direct fired vapor generator to produce a selected value of oxygen deficient non-condensible gases;
• introducing said steam and non-condensible gases into said vessel to produce an anaerobic, oxygen deficient environment within said vessel;
• providing means for imparting a homogeneous interaction between said matter and said steam and non-condensible gases within said vessel;
• and
• providing said steam and non-condensible gases in sufficient volume and with sufficient enthalpy for substantially purging the system of all oxygen laden gases to produce anaerobic pasteurization of matter passing therethrough.