High pulsed voltage systems for extending the shelf life of pumpable food products

Pulsed electric field treatment apparatus for preservation of a pumpable foodstuff comprising:

• an electric field treatment chamber comprising a first electrode means including a non-metallic inert conductor for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed adjacent said first electrode means in said treatment chamber, and a second electrode means spaced apart from said first electrode means, said second electrode means including a non-metallic inert conductor for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed in said treatment chamber between said first electrode means and said second electrode means;
• inlet conduit means for introducing a pumpable foodstuff to be treated into said electric field treatment chamber and outlet conduit means for discharging food product which has passed through said treatment chamber;
• means for applying high voltage electrical pulses to said first and second electrode means at a predetermined rate to provide an electric field between said electrodes through a pumpable foodstuff located therebetween in said treatment chamber of at least about 25,000 volts per centimeter;
• and
• means for pumping a pumpable foodstuff through said inlet conduit means at a rate such that all of said pumpable foodstuff is subjected to at least one pulse in transit through said treatment chamber before it is conducted from the treatment chamber through said outlet conduit means.

Pulsed electric field treatment apparatus for preservation of a pumpable foodstuff comprising:

• an electric field treatment chamber comprising a first electrode means having a hollow elongated aperture therein for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed adjacent said first electrode means in said treatment chamber, and a second electrode means disposed within said aperture and spaced apart from said first electrode means for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed in said treatment chamber between said first electrode means and said second electrode means;
• inlet conduit means for introducing a pumpable foodstuff to be treated into said electric field treatment chamber, and outlet conduit means for discharging food product which has passed through said treatment chamber;
• means for applying high voltage electrical pulses to said first and second electrode means at a predetermined rate to provide an electric field between said electrodes through a pumpable foodstuff located therebetween in said treatment chamber of at least about 25,000 volts per centimeter;
• and
• means for pumping a pumpable foodstuff through said inlet conduit means at a rate such that all of said pumpable foodstuff is subjected to at least one pulse in transit through said treatment chamber before it is conducted from the treatment chamber through said outlet conduit means.

Pulsed electric field treatment apparatus for preservation of pumpable foodstuff comprising:

• an electric field treatment chamber comprising a first electrode means having a hollow elongated cavity therein of substantially circular transverse cross-section for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed adjacent said first electrode means in said treatment chamber, and a second electrode means disposed within and spaced apart from said first electrode means by a substantially uniform distance for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed in said treatment chamber between said first electrode means and said second electrode means;
• inlet conduit means for introducing a pumpable foodstuff to be treated into said electric field treatment chamber, and outlet conduit means for discharging food product which has passed through said treatment chamber;
• means for applying high voltage electrical pulses to said first and second electrode means at a predetermined rate to provide an electric field between said electrodes through a pumpable foodstuff located therebetween in said treatment chamber of at least about 10,000 volts per centimeter;
• and
• means for pumping a pumpable foodstuff through said inlet conduit means at a rate such that all of said pumpable foodstuff is subjected to at least one pulse in transit through said treatment chamber before it is conducted from the treatment chamber through said outlet conduit means.

Pulsed electric field treatment apparatus for preservation of pumpable foodstuff comprising:

• an electric field treatment chamber comprising a first electrode means for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed adjacent said first electrode means in said treatment chamber, and a second electrode means spaced apart from said first electrode means for making electrical contact with pumpable foodstuff disposed in said treatment chamber between said first electrode means and said second electrode means;
• inlet conduit means for introducing a pumpable foodstuff to be treated into said electric field treatment chamber, and outlet conduit means for discharging food product which has passed through said treatment chamber;
• means for applying high voltage electrical pulses to said first and second electrode means at a predetermined rate to provide an electric field between said electrodes through a pumpable foodstuff located therebetween in said treatment chamber of at least about 10,000 volts per centimeter;
• means for preventing the formation of gas bubbles in the pumpable foodstuff while in said electric field treatment chamber;
• and
• means for pumping a pumpable foodstuff through said inlet conduit means at a rate such that all of said pumpable foodstuff is subjected to at least one pulse in transit through said treatment chamber before it is conducted from the treatment chamber through said outlet conduit means.