Distribution/retention plate for minimizing off-gassing
First Claim
1. An apparatus for promoting the efficient use of gases dissolved in a liquid by limiting the amount of off-gassing from the liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- a treatment chamber;
a liquid reservoir; and
a distribution/retention plate separating the treatment chamber from the liquid reservoir, wherein the distribution/retention plate comprises at least one downward flow passage to promote the flow of liquid from the treatment chamber to the liquid reservoir and a pressure relief device to maximize pressure in the liquid reservoir and limit off-gassing from liquid in the liquid reservoir.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a unique apparatus and method for promoting the efficient use of gases dissolved in a liquid by limiting the amount of off-gassing or evaporation from the liquid. The apparatus and method is a distribution/retention plate, shown in a preferred embodiment as installed in a portable food washing system. The food washing system is a portable unit having a treatment chamber with an access door for the placement of food products on a loading plate. A food product is placed in the chamber and sprayed with ozonated water containing diffuse concentrations of ozone which reacts with and destroys organic contaminants on the food product. The apparatus of the present invention is a distribution/retention plate located at the bottom of the treatment chamber. The distribution/retention plate divides the treatment chamber from a reservoir and controls the rate of ozone off-gassing from the reservoir, thereby maximizing ozone concentration in the water in the reservoir. In alternative embodiments, the distribution/retention plate of the present invention is utilized in automatic ice-making systems, a cooling tower, a commercial conveyor-driven perishable food washing system, and a process water treatment system. By reducing the amount of ozone and water that is necessary to achieve the desired results, the apparatus of the present invention enables the same types and quantities of materials to be treated as other ozone-treatment systems, but at a lower cost and physical size.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus for promoting the efficient use of gases dissolved in a liquid by limiting the amount of off-gassing from the liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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a treatment chamber;
a liquid reservoir; and
a distribution/retention plate separating the treatment chamber from the liquid reservoir, wherein the distribution/retention plate comprises at least one downward flow passage to promote the flow of liquid from the treatment chamber to the liquid reservoir and a pressure relief device to maximize pressure in the liquid reservoir and limit off-gassing from liquid in the liquid reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19)
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16. A method for reducing microorganisms on the surface of a material comprising the steps of:
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producing ozonated water by generating ozone and injecting it into water in a liquid reservoir;
exposing the surface of a material to molecules of ozone in a treatment chamber by spraying the ozonated water onto the surface of the material; and
recycling the water while utilizing a distribution/retention plate located between the treatment chamber and the liquid reservoir, wherein the distribution/retention plate has at least one downward flow passage to promote the flow of liquid from the treatment chamber to the liquid reservoir and a pressure relief device to maximize pressure in the liquid reservoir and limit off-gassing from liquid in the liquid reservoir.
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20. An apparatus for promoting the efficient use of gases dissolved in a liquid by limiting the amount of off-gassing from the liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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a treatment chamber;
a liquid reservoir;
a distribution/retention plate separating the treatment chamber from the liquid reservoir; and
a pressure relief device to maximize pressure in the liquid reservoir and limit off-gassing from liquid in the liquid reservoir, wherein the distribution/retention plate comprises at least one downward flow passage to promote the flow of liquid from the treatment chamber to the liquid reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for reducing microorganisms on the surface of a material comprising the steps of:
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producing ozonated water by generating ozone and injecting it into water in a liquid reservoir;
exposing the surface of a material to molecules of ozone in a treatment chamber by spraying the ozonated water onto the surface of the material; and
recycling the water while utilizing a distribution/retention plate located between the treatment chamber and the liquid reservoir, wherein the distribution/retention plate has at least one downward flow passage to promote the flow of liquid from the treatment chamber to the liquid reservoir, and the liquid reservoir has at least one pressure relief device to maximize pressure in the liquid reservoir and limit off-gassing from liquid in the liquid reservoir.
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Specification