Process for the thermal treatment of fluids
US4689237A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1984 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23B11/137
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for heating a fluid, such as a foodstuff, by passing a vapor at a high temperature and under pressure through an annular chamber extending around a perforated mixing chamber and injecting the vapor from the annular chamber into the mixing chamber perpendicularly to the fluid flowing through the mixing chamber. A stream of the fluid, vapor and vapor-fluid mixture thus obtained is passed through and out from the mixing chamber into the constricting means of an axial nozzle having a passage means. The stream is then passed through the passage means in axial extension with the constricting means for producing complete condensation of the vapor in the stream so as to increase the fluid temperature, thereby generating cavitation in the vicinity of a point of maximum constriction of the stream located inside the passage means to produce a critical flow therein. The stream existing from the passage means is conveyed into a pressure release enclosure under reduced pressure for abruptly evaporating the condensed vapor from the stream, thus separating the vapor from the stream and abruptly cooling the fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.