UV Light Treatment for Milk Decontamination
Conventional thermal pasteurization of milk operates at temperatures between 72-75°C, which can degrade nutritional components and affect taste. UV light treatment offers a non-thermal alternative, but faces the challenge of limited penetration depth in opaque liquids - typically less than 0.1mm in milk due to its turbidity and protein content.
The core engineering challenge lies in achieving uniform UV exposure throughout the milk volume while maintaining flow rates that are practical for industrial processing.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including spiral-wound photobioreactors that leverage centrifugal forces, integrated ultrasonic pre-treatment systems, and modular UV chambers with controlled flow dynamics. These and other approaches focus on ensuring consistent microbial reduction while preserving milk's nutritional and sensory qualities.
1. Modular Milk Processing System with Integrated UV and Ultrasonic Units for Preservation
Limited Liability Company Scientific and Production Center Blagzavod, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CENTER BLAGZAVOD, 2024
Decentralized milk processing system using UV light and ultrasound for long-term preservation without reducing taste. The system uses modular components like UV irradiation and ultrasonic processing units that can be connected together. The UV units contain built-in ultrasonic modules in separate pipes for liquid input/output. The system also has a main container with UV light and a cover with insulation. The UV and ultrasonic processing provides sanitization and preservation without requiring water or chemicals.
2. Photo Bioreactor with Coiled Spiral Tubes and UV-C Filter for Opaque Liquid Treatment
LYRAS DK APS, 2024
A photo bioreactor for cold pasteurization of opaque liquids like milk using UV-C light. The reactor has a design with coiled spiral-shaped tubes around a central pillar. This allows crossflows due to centrifugal force to treat opaque liquids. The reactor has a filter blocking UV above 300 nm to prevent oxidation. Airflow is separated from the liquid path. The coiled tubes and centrifugal force enable treatment of opaque liquids with UV-C light. The reactor can be used for cold pasteurization of liquid foods like milk to kill pathogens without heat or oxidation.
3. Device and Method for Milk Sterilization Using UV-C Irradiation with Integrated Ultrasound and Ohmic Heating Pre-Treatment
CALVEX AS, 2024
Sterilizing milk using a method and device that minimally destroys important milk components while effectively killing bacteria. The method involves UV-C irradiation after pre-treating the milk with ultrasound and ohmic heating. The device has an elongated UV-C light source wound around a hose through which the milk flows. This ensures uniform irradiation of the milk as it circulates. Electrodes provide ohmic heating and ultrasound transducers provide cavitation. The device maintains a specific temperature. The pre-treatments prepare the milk for optimal UV-C sterilization.
4. Spiral Tube Reactor for Cold Pasteurization of Opaque Liquids Using UV Light with Hydraulic Crossflow Design
LYRAS DK APS, 2024
Cold pasteurization of liquid foods like milk using UV light without heating. The system uses a specialized reactor with spiral-shaped tubes and a pillar core. The tubes have a hydraulic design with crossflows to treat opaque liquids. The reactor blocks UV above 300nm and channels airflow around the lights. This prevents light reaching the product. The spiral shape and centrifugal force pasteurize without heating. The reactor also has features like reflective surfaces, air cooling, modular housing, and control for optimized cold pasteurization.
5. Photobioreactor with Spiral Tubes for UV-C Light Exposure of Opaque Liquids
LILAS DENMARK AS, 2023
A photobioreactor for cold pasteurization of opaque liquids like milk using UV-C light. The reactor has spiral-shaped tubes that create a fluid path for the liquid to flow through. The spiral shape allows cross-flow due to centrifugal forces, enabling pasteurization of opaque liquids that can't be treated with linear tubes. The reactor uses UV-C light sources with filters to prevent higher wavelengths from reaching the liquid. The reactor design enables cold pasteurization by minimizing energy requirements and preventing overheating of the liquid.
6. UV Sterilization System with Spiral-Wound PFA Tube for Turbid Liquid Milk Processing
JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY, Jiangnan University, 2023
Ultraviolet (UV) sterilization system for producing highly active liquid milk. The system uses a spiral-wound PFA tube surrounding the UV lamps to sterilize turbid milk. The tube allows full mixing of the milk as it flows. The UV dose can be adjusted by changing the milk flow rate or length of tube segments. Multiple parallel UV sterilization units can be used in parallel to scale capacity. This allows customizing the UV sterilization intensity, dose, and processing volume for milk.
7. Tubular Sterilizer with Rotating Applicator and Permeable Plate for Uniform Milk Sterilization
Anhui Dano Dairy Co., Ltd., ANHUI DANUO DAIRY CO LTD, 2023
A tubular sterilizer for condensed milk production that uniformly sterilizes the milk using a rotating applicator and multiple sterilization steps. The sterilizer has a fixed permeable plate inside an enclosure that can be heated to sterilization temperature. The plate has holes for liquid penetration when pressure differs. A rotating applicator box with a feeding port feeds milk onto the plate. A piston below the plate closes holes. As the box rotates, milk moves down. UV lamps sterilize milk exiting holes. A transfer plate with sloped surfaces further exposes milk to inner walls. The rotating applicator, piston, and transfer plate enable uniform sterilization by fully contacting the milk with sterilizing surfaces.
8. Rotating Closed-Loop Yak Milk Sterilization System with Ultraviolet Chamber Passage
HENAN QILONG RANCH QINGHAI QILONG COMMERCE AND TRADE CO LTD, Qinghai Qilong Trading Co., Ltd. Henan County Qilong Ranch, 2023
Yak milk sterilization equipment and method that provides a closed-loop, automated system for sterilizing yak milk without open flame heating and pollution. The system uses a rotating mechanism to move a sterilization tank filled with milk through a series of fixed chambers containing ultraviolet lamps. This allows thorough sterilization without overheating or burning the milk. The milk is pumped through the chambers as the tank rotates. The system also has features like flippable frames and removable components for maintenance and cleaning.
9. Milk Processing Device with Telescopic Stirring Rod and Dual Chamber UV Sterilization System
Xinjiang Haozi Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., XINJIANG HAOZI RAISE LIVESTOCK CO LTD, 2023
An environment-friendly milk processing and sterilization device that allows efficient, gentle disinfection and sterilization of milk without losing nutrients or affecting taste. The device has an adjustable telescopic rod that extends and retracts to fully stir and heat the milk. This prevents hot spots and ensures even disinfection. The rod drives a primary disinfection chamber and secondary sterilization chamber with UV lights. A control center manages heating, pressure, and UV levels. The adjustable rod allows customizable processing based on milk volume.
10. Milk Sterilization System with Pulsed Ozone Injection and UV Irradiation Featuring Microbial Contamination Sensing and Ozone Concentration Control
FEDERALNOE GOSUDARSTVENNOE BYUDZHETNOE OBRAZOVATELNOE UCHREZHDENIE VYSSHEGO OBRAZOVANIYA ROSSIJSKIJ GOSUDARSTVENNYJ AGRARNYJ UNIVERSITET - MSKHA IMENI KA TIMIRYAZEVA, FEDERAL STATE BUDGETARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION RUSSIAN STATE AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY - MOSCOW AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY NAMED AFTER KA TIMIRYAZEV, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 2023
Device for sterilizing milk using pulsed ozone and UV irradiation to improve quality compared to traditional pasteurization. The device has a pipeline, ozonizer, UV chamber, and separator. The ozone generation chamber is sealed and the ozone concentration is regulated during pulsed ozone injection into the milk based on sensed microbial contamination levels. This provides targeted ozone sterilization instead of continuous saturation. The UV chamber irradiates the milk after ozonation to further improve sterility.
11. Narrow Cylindrical UV Lamp with Axial Conductors and Central LED for Sterilization
LED IBOND INTERNATIONAL AS, 2022
A compact, flexible UV lamp for sterilizing hard-to-reach surfaces like the inside of teat cups between milkings. The lamp has a narrow, cylindrical shape with two axial conductors separated by insulation and a central LED. The LED emits UV light through the outer surface. The lamp can be inserted into the teat cup and irradiated for sterilization. A flushing arrangement allows liquid to be pumped into the lamp to clean the inside. The lamp's compact shape enables sterilizing tight spaces.
12. Milk Processing Device with Telescoping Stirring Rod and Integrated UV Sterilization System
XINJIANG HAOZI RAISE LIVESTOCK CO LTD, 2022
Environmentally friendly milk processing and sterilizing device and method that enables efficient, even sterilization without overheating and burning the milk. The device has an adjustable telescoping rod that extends and contracts to stir the milk during processing. This ensures thorough heating and sterilization without hotspots. The rod connects to a disinfection chamber and a sterilization chamber with UV lamps. It has a rotating mechanism driven by gears that moves the telescoping rod. This enables adjusting the rod length to stir the milk while it's heated. The chambers have sensors for temperature, pressure, and ultraviolet irradiation. The method involves preliminary disinfection at high temps, then secondary UV sterilization. The device is controlled electronically with switches for heating, valves, and lamp activation.
13. Photobioreactor System with Spiral Coiled Tubes and Short-Wavelength UV Filtration for Cold Pasteurization of Opaque Liquids
LYRAS DK APS, LIRAS DK APS, LIRAS DC APS, 2022
Cold pasteurization of opaque liquids like milk using UV radiation without significant oxidation. The system has a photobioreactor containing spirally coiled tubes, filters to block longer wavelengths, and UV lamps. The coiled tubes provide increased surface area for radiation exposure. The centrifugal flow and tube shape enhances mixing and radiation penetration. The shorter wavelengths kill pathogens without oxidizing the liquid.
14. Method for Producing Milk Using Combined Ultraviolet Sterilization and Microfiltration Techniques
Jiangnan University, JIANGNAN UNIVERSITY, 2022
A method for producing highly active and extended shelf life milk by combining ultraviolet sterilization and microfiltration. The method involves centrifuging the milk to remove fat, followed by microfiltration to remove bacteria. The milk is then ultraviolet sterilized at room temperature with doses of 13-40 mJ/cm2. This provides extended shelf life without denaturing proteins like heat treatment does. The ultraviolet sterilization is combined with microfiltration to prevent bacterial regrowth. The ultraviolet dosage is critical for preventing spoilage without affecting protein activity. The final product has higher protein content and activity compared to pasteurized milk, and an extended shelf life of at least 20 days at refrigerated temperatures.
15. Human Milk Pasteurization via UV Light with Vortical Flow for Contaminant Reduction
CARAG AG, 2022
Pasteurizing human milk to reduce contaminants without degrading important bioactive components. The method involves exposing human milk to ultraviolet (UV) light at wavelengths of 250-270nm while applying a vortical flow to the milk. The UV inactivates contaminants like bacteria and viruses while the flow ensures uniform exposure. This prevents loss of bioactives like immune factors and enzymes compared to thermal pasteurization. The UV dose can be adjusted based on milk solids.
16. Photobioreactor with Spiral Tubes and UV-Filtered Cassettes for Opaque Liquid Treatment
LYRAS DK APS, 2022
A photobioreactor for cold pasteurization of opaque liquid food products like milk using UV light. The reactor has multiple spiral-shaped tubes, cassettes with filters, and ventilation chambers to enable germicidal treatment of highly opaque liquids. The cassettes hold UV light sources and have openings for insertion/removal. The spiral tubes form a fluidic pathway. The filters block UV above 270nm. The vent chambers draw air from the cassettes. This design allows cross-flow pasteurization of opaque liquids without obstruction.
17. Photobioreactor with Spiral Tube and Cassette System for UV-C Treatment of Opaque Liquids
LYRAS DK APS, 2022
A photobioreactor for pasteurizing opaque liquid foods like milk using UV-C light without oxidation. The reactor has a unique spiral tube design and cassette system to enable germicidal treatment of highly opaque liquids. The reactor has filters to block UV above 300nm, preventing it from reaching the liquid. Spiral tubes allow cross-flows to treat opaque liquids. Cassettes channel air over light sources for cooling without exposing them to the liquid. This prevents oxidation. The spiral tubes, cassettes, and filters enable pasteurization of opaque liquids like milk using UV-C light without oxidation.
18. Photo Bioreactor with Removable Cassettes and Spiral Tubes for UV-C Cold Pasteurization
LYRAS DK APS, 2022
Photo bioreactor for cold pasteurization of liquid food products using UV-C light to kill microorganisms without heating. The bioreactor has removable cassettes with UV lamps inside spiral-shaped tubes. Filters block UV above 300nm. The cassettes have ventilation chambers to cool the lamps. The spiral tubes allow crossflow of opaque liquids. The bioreactor design enables cold pasteurization of milks and other foods using UV-C without heating or oxidation.
19. Yak Milk Sterilization System with Rotating Rod and Integrated UV Lamp
HENAN QILONG RANCH QINGHAI QILONG COMMERCE AND TRADE CO LTD, 2022
A yak milk sterilization system and method that uses a rotating rod inside a sterilization tank to sterilize yak milk without using open flames or heating elements. The system has a base plate, support columns, a sterilization tank, a driving box, a motor, and a rotating rod. The rod extends through the tank and linkage grooves to a threaded barrel. A sliding block inside the barrel moves as the rod turns. This moves a chute plate to drain the milk. The rod rotation sterilizes the milk using UV light from a UV lamp in the barrel. The rod can be rotated to sterilize, then removed for cleaning.
20. Apparatus and Method for UV Pasteurization of Human Milk Using Flake Formation and Swirling Exposure
CARAG AG, 2022
Method and apparatus for pasteurizing human milk to prevent contamination without degrading its bioactive components. The method involves treating human milk to inactivate bacteria, freezing it into small flakes, and storing the flakes. The flaking allows thorough UV pasteurization without pumping large volumes. The apparatus has a treatment chamber with UV lights and a freezing chamber with flaking. A swirling stream inside the container exposes milk to UV.
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