Method and apparatus for sterilization of a continuous liquid flow

A method for sterilizing and purifying a continuous flow of liquid comprising the steps of:

• pressurizing the liquid flow;
• passing the liquid through a fluid passage, said fluid passage defined by:
• a closed cylindrical chamber having a side wall and first and second opposing ends, the chamber having an inlet and an outlet through which the continuous flow of liquid enters and exits the chamber, the inlet being tangential to the chamber axis and adjacent to the first end to provide tangential flow within the chamber and to cause the liquid flow to be deflected at the first and second opposing ends two or more times for increasing sterilization time of the liquid before exiting the outlet axially disposed on the second end;
• and
• one or more projections partially protruding inside the chamber from the side wall for creating a high-pressure drop in the liquid flow behind the one or more projections and thereby creating high-pressure dynamic cavitation;
• regulating static pressure in the chamber;
• and
• releasing the sterilized liquid from the chamber.