Apparatus and method for the sterilization, degassing and concentration of viscous products

Abstract

A device for the evaporative cooling of a viscous fluid, the device including a vacuum chamber wherein the viscous fluid is cooled. The vacuum chamber includes a lower part wherein the viscous fluid is collected by gravitational force, and an outlet pipe, located at the bottom of a lower part, through which the cooled down fluid is extracted. The device also includes an extraction device that itself includes a primary pump, fed with the cooled fluid from the lower part through the outlet pipe, and a feeding device, located inside the lower part, which pushes the cooled down fluid from the lower part towards the primary pump, through the outlet pipe. Also, an apparatus and method for the sterilization, degassing or water concentration of a viscous fluid including the evaporative cooling device.

1 . An evaporative cooling device for a viscous fluid, comprising:
 a vacuum chamber, having an upper part wherein the Viscous fluid is injected,   a lower part extending downwardly from the upper part wherein the viscous fluid is collected by gravitational force, and an outlet pipe located at bottom of lower part, through which the viscous fluid is extracted; and   an extraction device, comprising a primary pump, fed with viscous fluid from the lower part through the outlet pipe, and a feeding device, located inside the lower part of vacuum chamber, which pushes the viscous fluid from the lower part towards the primary pump, through the outlet pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary pump comprises a centrifugal pump having an impeller and a driveshaft, wherein the feeding device comprises a propeller located inside lower part, and wherein the driveshaft passes through the outlet pipe and is linked to the propeller so as to drive in rotation both the impeller and propeller. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the feeding device further comprises an endless screw linked to the driveshaft, located between the impeller and the propeller, and at least partially inside the outlet pipe, and wherein the driveshaft is able to drive in rotation the impeller, the endless screw and the propeller. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the lower part further comprises a concave surface of revolution around a substantially vertical axis, onto which surface the cooled down fluid accumulates. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the propeller comprises at least two blades. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the extraction device comprises a secondary pump located downstream the primary pump which ensures the viscous fluid transportation from the primary pump to a downstream circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the secondary pump comprises a positive displacement pump or a centrifugal pump. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for the sterilization of a viscous fluid, comprising:
 a direct heating device, wherein the viscous fluid is heated up to a temperature range of between approximately 120° C. and 155° C. by incorporating steam into the viscous fluid;   a high temperature circuitry, fed with heated fluid from the direct heating device, wherein the heated fluid is maintained in the temperature range of between approximately 120° C. and 155° C. for a predetermined residence time, configured to allow sterilization of the viscous fluid; and   an evaporative cooling device according to  claim 1 , fed with the heated fluid from the high temperature circuitry, wherein the heated fluid is cooled to a temperature of between approximately 40° C. and 90° C. by steam evaporation in the vacuum chamber set at a pressure of between approximately 0.05 and 1 bar (absolute pressure).   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the direct heating device comprises a steam infusion device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the direct heating device comprises a steam injection device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the high temperature circuitry comprises a centrifugal pump and a relief valve, configured to ensure a fluid pressure of between approximately 2 and 10 bars (absolute pressure) upstream of the relief valve. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the high temperature circuitry comprises a positive displacement pump, configured to ensure a fluid pressure of between approximately 2 and 10 bars (absolute pressure) upstream of the positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the high temperature circuitry comprises a holding tube configured to maintain the heated fluid in a temperature range of between approximately 120° C. and 155° C. for the predetermined residence time to allow for sterilization of the viscous fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the vacuum level of the vacuum chamber is between approximately 0.05 and 1 bar (absolute pressure). 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising an indirect heating device located upstream the direct heating device, configured to feed the direct heating device with the viscous fluid at a temperature range of between approximately 40° C. and 90° C. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for the degassing of a viscous fluid comprising an evaporative cooling device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for the concentration of water content of a viscous fluid comprising an evaporative cooling device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for the sterilization of a viscous fluid, wherein the viscous fluid circulates throughout a sterilization circuit comprising an evaporative cooling device comprising a vacuum chamber, having an upper part wherein the viscous fluid is injected, a lower part extending downwardly from the upper part wherein the viscous fluid is collected by gravitational force, and an outlet pipe located at bottom of lower part, through which the viscous fluid is extracted, and an extraction device, comprising a primary pump, fed with viscous fluid from the lower part through the outlet pipe, and a feeding device, located inside the lower part of vacuum chamber, which pushes the viscous fluid from the lower part towards the primary pump, through the outlet pipe, which method comprises the steps of:
 heating, in less than 1 second, the fluid by incorporation of steam in the fluid, to a temperature range of between approximately 120° C. and 155° C.;   maintaining fluid temperature in the range of between approximately 120° C. and 155° C. for a predetermined residence time, to allow sterilization of the fluid; and   cooling, in less than 1 second, the fluid by steam evaporation, down to a temperature range of between approximately 40° C. and 90° C., in the evaporative cooling device.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of preheating the fluid, using an indirect heating device, to a temperature of between approximately 40° C. and 90° C. 
     
     
         20 . An evaporative cooling device for a viscous fluid, comprising a vacuum chamber, having an upper part wherein the viscous fluid is injected, a lower part extending downwardly from the upper part wherein the viscous fluid is collected by gravitational force, and an outlet pipe located at bottom of lower part, through which the viscous fluid is extracted, and an extraction device, comprising a primary pump, fed with viscous fluid from the lower part through the outlet pipe, and a feeding device, located inside the lower part of vacuum chamber, which pushes the viscous fluid from the lower part towards the primary pump, through the outlet pipe, the device comprising:
 means for heating, in less than 1 second, the fluid by incorporation of steam in the fluid, to a temperature range of between approximately 120° C. and; 155° C.;   means for maintaining fluid temperature in the range of between approximately 120° C.; and 155° C. for a predetermined residence time, to allow sterilization of the fluid; and   means for cooling, in less than 1 second, the fluid by steam evaporation, down to a temperature range of between approximately 40° C. and 90° C., in the evaporative cooling device.