DUAL BLADDER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT AND REDUCTION OF MICROBIAL CONTENT IN FLUIDS BY MEANS OF HIGH PRESSURE

• US 20130095225A1
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elend S. Lebaron
• Original Assignee: Elend S. Lebaron
• Inventors: LeBaron, Elend S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,997,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/665
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/0155 using sub- or super-atmospheric pressures, or pressure variations transmitted by a liquid or gas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86187 Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow

Abstract

A system for treating edible fluids under high pressure to reduce microorganisms. The system comprises a high pressure housing having an interior chamber containing two parallel flexible bladders adapted to hold the fluid to be treated under high pressure within the confines of the chamber. A pressurizing fluid fills the interior chamber outside the bladders. When one bladder is filled the other bladder is collapsed. In operation pressure is exerted throughout the interior chamber by means of the pressurizing fluid for a period sufficient to reduce microorganisms in the fluid within the filled bladder. Pressure will be released and the collapsed bladder will then be filled with an edible fluid causing treated fluid to be removed from the first bladder due to expansion caused by the filling of the second bladder such that the first bladder is collapsed. The process can then be repeated.

Claims

1. A dual bladder high pressure fluid processing system comprising:

(a) a rigid housing capable of withstanding internal pressures, said housing having an interior space;

(b) a port in said housing for introducing or removing a pressurizing fluid into or from said interior space;

(c) open and closable pressure valve controlling said port to allow the introduction of fluid under high pressure into said interior space, to maintain said fluid under high pressure in said interior space and to allow the release of fluid pressure from said interior space; and

(d) dual inflatable pressure resistant flexible bladders for containing fluids to be treated located in said interior space in a parallel relationship each bladder containing a fill line and drain line in fluid communication with said bladder;

said lines extending through bladder ports in said housing in a fluid tight manner, each of said fill and drain lines outside of said housing being connected to valve means to open and close said lines to allow introduction and removal of treatment fluids from each bladder.

2. The system according to claim 1 further connected to a fluid reservoir and high pressure pump for introducing fluid into said interior space through said pressure valve and port.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said high pressure pump can introduce and maintain said fluid in said interior space under pressures of between about 30,000 and 150,000 psi for a period of time.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said fluid is maintained under pressure in said interior space under essentially ambient conditions.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein one bladder contains fluid to be treated the other bladder will be collapsed.

6. A method for reducing microbial content in fluids comprising:

(a) filling a first bladder with a first contaminated fluid;

(b) pressurizing the first contaminated fluid to a first pressure using an external pressurization fluid sufficient to reduce microbial content therein and form a first treated fluid;

(c) filling a second bladder which is moveably engageable with the first bladder and releasing the first treated fluid from the first bladder sufficient to allow ingress of a second contaminated fluid into the second bladder and egress of the first treated fluid from the first bladder; and

(d) pressurizing the second bladder to a second pressure using the external pressurization fluid sufficient to reduce microbial content therein and form a second treated fluid.