CN212678252U

CN212678252U - Food sterilization device based on plasma technology

Info

Publication number: CN212678252U
Application number: CN202021484760.1U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张振涛; 越云凯; 杨俊玲; 张钰; 张化福
Original assignee: Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of CAS
Current assignee: Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of CAS
Priority date: 2020-07-24
Filing date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2021-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-24

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique, include: the sterilizing chamber is provided with a feeding hole and a discharging hole on the wall; the plasma generator is arranged in the sterilizing chamber; vaporization means for vaporizing the liquid used for sterilization of the food in the sterilization chamber from a liquid state to a gaseous state; the input end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the feeding hole, and the output end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the discharging hole; the utility model discloses combine plasma generator and vapourizing unit, to being used for the liquid that food disinfected, can vaporize and plasmatize it in same sterilizing chamber to fully contact and disinfect with the food in carrying, not only the simple operation does not receive external environment factor to influence, has effectively improved the utilization ratio to the liquid of disinfecting, has guaranteed the concentration of the required plasma of sterilization moreover, has reached better food bactericidal effect.

Description

Food sterilization device based on plasma technology

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a food sterilization technical field especially relates to a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique.

Background

Food sterilization is performed on food raw materials and processed products, and main factors (microorganisms) causing food deterioration are sterilized and sterilized, so that the quality of food is stabilized, the quality guarantee period of the food is effectively prolonged, the survival number of harmful bacteria in the food is reduced, human body infection caused by ingestion of live bacteria is avoided, and the threat of bacterial toxins reserved in the food to the safety of a human body is prevented.

The sterilization method adopted for the food and the raw materials thereof mainly comprises the following steps: thermal sterilization, radiation sterilization, ultrasonic sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization, low-temperature formaldehyde steam sterilization, soaking sterilization and the like, wherein sterilizing agents adopted during soaking sterilization comprise glutaraldehyde, chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and the like. The sterilization methods have many limitations, and in practical application, the sterilization methods often cause harm to the environment, and the sterilization time is too long, and the sterilization temperature is too high, so that the nutrition loss of the food occurs, and the quality of the food is difficult to ensure.

Plasma (plasma), also called plasma, is an ionized gaseous substance consisting of positive and negative ions generated by ionizing atoms and radicals, from which part of electrons are deprived. Under the plasma state, a series of physical and chemical changes, such as electron exchange, electron energy conversion, molecular collision, chemical dissociation and recombination, occur to the substances, and the changes enable electrons, ions and neutrals generated by the ionized gas cloud to synthesize charged cloud-like substances, wherein the charged cloud-like substances contain molecules, excited-state atoms, metastable-state atoms, particles such as free radicals, ultraviolet rays, gamma rays, beta rays and the like. The plasma technology is widely applied in the field of air purification based on the physical characteristics of plasma, and when the plasma technology is used for food sterilization, the liquid for sterilization needs to be vaporized and plasmatized, so that the operation is complicated, the environment is limited, the utilization rate of the liquid for sterilization is difficult to ensure, and the sterilization effect on food is ensured, and the plasma technology is not widely applied in the field of food sterilization.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An embodiment of the utility model provides a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique for solve current plasma technique when disinfecting as food, be difficult to ensure the utilization ratio of the liquid that disinfects, and ensure the problem to food bactericidal effect.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique, include: the sterilization chamber is provided with a feeding hole and a discharging hole on the wall; a plasma generator disposed within the sterilization chamber; vaporizing means for vaporizing the liquid used for food sterilization in the sterilization chamber from a liquid state to a gaseous state; and the input end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the feeding hole, and the output end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the discharging hole.

According to the food sterilization device based on the plasma technology, the vaporization device comprises a vacuum-pumping device which is used for vacuumizing the sterilization chamber; the liquid used for food sterilization in the sterilization chamber comprises hydrogen peroxide liquid, and correspondingly, the sterilization chamber is connected with a hydrogen peroxide supply device.

According to the utility model discloses a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique of an embodiment, hydrogen peroxide feeding mechanism includes: the liquid receiving disc is arranged in the sterilizing chamber; the liquid storage tank is used for storing hydrogen peroxide liquid; and the liquid injection pump is used for pumping the hydrogen peroxide liquid in the liquid storage tank to the liquid receiving disc.

According to the utility model discloses a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique, still be provided with temperature control device in the sterilization chamber, the temperature control device communication is connected evacuating device.

According to the utility model discloses a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique of embodiment, still be equipped with the interface of ventilating on the locular wall of sterilization room, control valve and filter equipment are equipped with to the interface of ventilating.

According to the utility model discloses a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique of embodiment, plasma generator includes: the electrode rings are arranged on the inner side wall of the sterilization chamber at preset intervals; and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the radio frequency power supply are correspondingly connected with the two wiring terminals on the electrode ring.

According to the utility model discloses a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique, continuous conveyor is the mesh belt conveyor.

According to the utility model discloses a food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique, continuous conveyor includes many, and from last down layering in proper order arranges in the sterilization chamber, is located the superiors continuous conveyor's input is connected the feed inlet is located the lower floor continuous conveyor's output is connected the discharge gate is adjacent two-layer continuous conveyor corresponds end to end connection.

According to the food sterilization device based on the plasma technology, the feed inlet is provided with a first automatic door, and the discharge outlet is provided with a second automatic door; and/or, further comprising: and the output port of the hoister is correspondingly connected with the feed port.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a pair of food sterilizing equipment based on plasma technique, through combining plasma generator and vapourizing unit organically, to the liquid that is used for food sterilization, can vaporize and plasmatize it in same sterilization chamber, so that fully contact and disinfect with the food in carrying, not only the simple operation, do not receive the influence of external environment factor, effectively improved the utilization ratio to the liquid of disinfecting, and guaranteed the concentration of the required plasma of sterilization, better food bactericidal effect has been reached, whole bactericidal treatment need not artifical the intervention, can effectively prevent to bring secondary pollution to food.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a food sterilization device based on plasma technology according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of a hydrogen peroxide supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1, a sterilization chamber; 2. a first automatic door; 3. a second automatic door; 4. a hoist; 5. a mesh belt conveyor; 6. a material receiving bin; 7. a plasma generator; 8. a hydrogen peroxide supply device; 81. a liquid receiving disc; 82. a liquid injection pump; 83. a liquid storage tank; 9. a vacuum pumping device; 10. a vent interface; 11. a temperature control device; 12. and (4) an air conveying device.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.

Referring to fig. 1, the present embodiment provides a food sterilization apparatus based on plasma technology, a sterilization chamber 1; the plasma generator 7, the plasma generator 7 is set up in the sterilization chamber 1; vaporizing means for vaporizing the liquid used for sterilizing the food in the sterilization chamber 1 from a liquid state to a gaseous state.

Specifically, the food sterilizing equipment that this embodiment provided through combining plasma generator 7 with vaporizing device, to the liquid that is used for food sterilization, can vaporize it and plasmatize in same sterilizing chamber to fully contact and disinfect with food, not only the simple operation does not receive external environment factor to influence, has effectively improved the utilization ratio to sterilizing liquid, has guaranteed the concentration of the required plasma of sterilization moreover, has reached better food bactericidal effect.

It should be noted that the plasma generator 7 shown in the present embodiment may directly adopt a plasma electrode assembly known in the art, and the plasma electrode assembly may be designed as an anode plate and a cathode probe bundle oppositely arranged, wherein the cathode probe bundle comprises a plurality of cathode probes and is vertically arranged opposite to the end surface of the anode plate, so that the food can be sterilized and disinfected based on the plasma generated by the interaction between the plasma electrode assembly and the environment.

The liquid used for food sterilization shown in this embodiment includes hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, peracetic acid, and the like. Because the hydrogen peroxide has low cost and directly generates nontoxic and pollution-free oxygen and water after the food is sterilized, the liquid is preferably the hydrogen peroxide liquid in the implementation, and the sterilization chamber is connected with the hydrogen peroxide supply device, so that the hydrogen peroxide plasma can be directly generated under the action of the plasma generator 7 after the hydrogen peroxide liquid is vaporized into gaseous state in the sterilization chamber 1 to sterilize and disinfect the food.

As shown in fig. 1, the vaporizing device shown in this embodiment includes a vacuum pumping device 9, the vacuum pumping device 9 is used for vacuum pumping the sterilization chamber 1, after the vacuum pumping device 9 performs vacuum pumping treatment on the sterilization chamber 1, the internal space of the sterilization chamber 1 can form a low pressure, even a negative pressure environment, under the action of the low pressure, the liquid hydrogen peroxide delivered to the sterilization chamber 1 by the hydrogen peroxide supply device 8 can be vaporized into hydrogen peroxide gas and diffused to the sterilization chamber 1, so that after the plasma generator 7 is started, the plasma generator 7 can generate a discharge interval in the sterilization chamber 1 to discharge the hydrogen peroxide gas, thereby generating hydrogen peroxide plasma, and sterilizing and disinfecting the food through the hydrogen peroxide plasma.

Further, the vacuum pumping device 9 shown in this embodiment includes a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump can be communicated with the sterilization chamber 1 through a vacuum pumping pipeline, a third control valve is installed on the vacuum pumping pipeline on the suction side of the vacuum pump, and a filtering device is also installed on the air outlet side of the vacuum pump. Wherein, for the working state of the third control valve and the vacuum pump, both can be controlled in real time by the air pressure control module corresponding to the vacuum pumping device 9.

As shown in fig. 1, based on the improvement of the above embodiment, in the present embodiment, a temperature control device 11 is further disposed in the sterilization chamber 1, wherein the temperature control device 11 may adopt an electric heater known in the art, the temperature control device 11 may further include a temperature sensor and a corresponding temperature control module, the temperature sensor may acquire the temperature in the sterilization chamber 1 in real time, and the temperature control module may control the heating power of the electric heater in a closed-loop adjustment manner based on the temperature feedback of the temperature sensor, so as to maintain the internal environment of the sterilization chamber 1 at a preset temperature.

Here, can be connected with the corresponding atmospheric pressure control module communication of the corresponding temperature control module of temperature control device 11 and evacuating device 9 to the temperature and atmospheric pressure in to going on synthesizing the regulation and control to sterilization room 1, based on temperature control device 11 to the temperature control in sterilization room 1 and evacuating device 9 to the combined action that sterilization room 1 carries out the evacuation, can impel hydrogen peroxide solution to vaporize into hydrogen peroxide gas more efficiently. Because the vaporization and the plasmatization of the hydrogen peroxide liquid are both carried out in the sterilization chamber 1, the hydrogen peroxide in the liquid state can provide the hydrogen peroxide plasma required by the sterilization of the sterilization chamber 1 only by one-time vaporization, thereby greatly improving the utilization rate of the hydrogen peroxide and ensuring the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide plasma required by the sterilization.

Further, the present embodiment may install a ventilation interface 10 on the chamber wall of the sterilization chamber 1, and the first control valve and the filtering device are installed at the ventilation interface 10. So, accomplish the disinfection back of disinfecting when food in sterilization chamber 1, can open first control valve, outside air can be in sterilization chamber 1, under the effect of outer pressure differential, behind filter equipment's filtration treatment, directly enter into sterilization chamber 1 through the interface 10 of ventilating in, restore standard atmospheric pressure in the sterilization chamber 1 until, at this moment, hydrogen peroxide plasma is after disinfecting food, turn into the water and the oxygen of the clean environmental protection that can directly discharge, the sterilization is ended, can follow the discharge gate output of sterilization chamber 1 with food.

Further, the plasma generator 7 shown in the present embodiment includes: the electrode rings are arranged on the inner side wall of the sterilization chamber 1 at preset intervals; and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the radio frequency power supply are correspondingly connected with the two wiring terminals on the electrode ring.

Specifically, the electrode ring shown in this embodiment is of an annular structure and is adapted to an inner side wall of the sterilization chamber 1 corresponding to one of the vertical cross-section and the horizontal cross-section. The electrode ring is made of metal net with mesh diameter of 5-8 mm. The electrode ring is insulated from the inner side wall of the sterilization chamber 1, and the distance between the electrode ring and the inner side wall of the sterilization chamber 1 can be set to 10-20 mm. The electrode ring is provided with a plurality of wiring terminals, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the radio frequency power supply can be correspondingly connected with two wiring terminals on the electrode ring. Based on the high-voltage pulse voltage output by the radio frequency power supply, a discharge interval can be formed between the electrode ring and the inner side wall of the sterilization chamber 1 so as to ionize hydrogen peroxide gas and generate hydrogen peroxide plasma.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, the hydrogen peroxide supply device 8 of the present embodiment includes: the liquid receiving plate 81 is arranged in the sterilization chamber 1, and the liquid receiving plate 81 is positioned in a discharge region of the plasma generator 7; the liquid storage tank 83, the liquid storage tank 83 is used for storing hydrogen peroxide liquid; and the liquid injection pump 82 is used for pumping the hydrogen peroxide liquid in the liquid storage tank 83 to the liquid receiving plate 81, wherein the liquid storage tank 83 and the liquid injection pump 82 are both arranged outside the sterilization room 1.

Specifically, this embodiment is through will connecing the liquid dish to set up in plasma generator 7's the section of discharging for the hydrogen peroxide liquid in connecing the liquid dish after the vaporization is hydrogen peroxide gas, the hydrogen peroxide gas of being convenient for directly produces hydrogen peroxide plasma under the effect of the corresponding high voltage electric field in the section of discharging. Herein, meshes can be uniformly distributed in the liquid receiving disc so as to greatly improve the vaporization efficiency of the hydrogen peroxide liquid. Meanwhile, the liquid storage tank, the liquid injection pump and the liquid receiving disc can be sequentially communicated through the liquid infusion pipeline, and a second control valve can be arranged on the liquid infusion pipeline to control the hydrogen peroxide liquid to be delivered to the liquid receiving disc.

As shown in FIG. 1, based on the modification of the above embodiment, the sterilization chamber 1 of the present embodiment has a feed port and a discharge port formed on the chamber wall; the sterilization chamber 1 is internally provided with a continuous conveying device, the input end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the feed inlet, and the output end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the discharge outlet.

Specifically, the continuous conveying device shown in this embodiment may be any one or a combination of belt conveyors, chain plate conveyors and mesh belt conveyors known in the art to convey the food. In view of ensuring the food to contact with the plasma in all directions without dead angles during the sterilization process of the food, on one hand, the continuous conveying device can be designed to have various spatial arrangements to ensure the food to roll or transfer for many times during the conveying process so as to effectively contact with the plasma, and on the other hand, the continuous conveying device can be further preferably a mesh belt conveyor 5 to ensure that the food is not shielded by excessive foreign matters in all directions stored in the food during the conveying process so as to effectively contact with the plasma.

Meanwhile, the input end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the feed inlet, the output end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the discharge port, so that the food can be sterilized under the conveying of the continuous conveying device after entering the sterilization chamber 1 from the feed inlet, and the food can be directly output from the discharge port.

In a further preferred embodiment, the continuous conveying device shown in this embodiment is a mesh belt conveyor 5, the mesh belt conveyor 5 includes a plurality of mesh belt conveyors 5, and the mesh belt conveyors 5 are sequentially arranged in layers from top to bottom in the sterilization chamber 1, an input end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located at the uppermost layer is connected with a feed port, an output end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located at the lowermost layer is connected with a discharge port, and the mesh belt conveyors 5 at two adjacent layers are correspondingly connected end to end.

Specifically, the feeding hole is located at the top of the sterilization chamber 1, and the discharging hole is located at the bottom of the sterilization chamber 1. Meanwhile, the mesh belt conveyor 5 shown in this embodiment is provided with three belts, and the three belts are sequentially distributed in the sterilization chamber 1, and the mesh belt conveyor 5 may be arranged horizontally or obliquely, and is not specifically limited herein, wherein the input end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located on the upper layer is correspondingly arranged on the lower side of the feed port, the output end thereof is close to the upper side of the input end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located on the middle layer, the output end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located on the middle layer is close to the upper side of the input end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located on the lower layer, the output end of the mesh belt conveyor 5 located on the lower layer is connected with the receiving bin 6, and the receiving bin 6 corresponds to the discharge port of the sterilization chamber 1.

As shown in fig. 1, based on the modification of the above embodiment, the feeding port of the sterilization chamber 1 in this embodiment is provided with a first automatic door 2, and the discharging port of the sterilization chamber 1 is provided with a second automatic door 3; and/or, further comprising: the output port of the lifting machine 4 is correspondingly connected with the feed port of the sterilizing chamber 1.

Specifically, the first automatic door 2 and the second automatic door 3 shown in this embodiment can both be composed of a door plate, a guiding mechanism and a telescopic driving mechanism, the door plate is matched with the guiding mechanism and can move along the guiding direction of the guiding mechanism, the fixed end of the telescopic driving mechanism is connected with the outer chamber wall of the sterilization chamber 1, and the telescopic end of the telescopic driving mechanism is connected with the door plate, so that the door plate can be driven to move along the preset direction based on the telescopic action of the telescopic driving mechanism.

Meanwhile, the elevator 4 shown in this embodiment is disposed at one side of the sterilization chamber 1, and the elevator 4 can lift the food to the upper side of the sterilization chamber 1, and directly feed the food from the feeding port to the mesh belt conveyor 5 in the sterilization chamber 1 at the output port of the elevator 4.

In addition, it should be pointed out that, this embodiment can also set up air supply device 12 in sterilization chamber 1, through the air supply effect of air supply device 12, can accelerate the flow of air current in sterilization chamber 1, so not only guaranteed vaporization and the plasmatization of hydrogen peroxide liquid in sterilization chamber 1, but also guaranteed that hydrogen peroxide plasma fully contacts with food for the sterilization is more thorough, reaches better sterilizing effect.

In summary, the specific operation process of the food sterilization apparatus shown in this embodiment can refer to the following steps:

first, the first automatic door 2 of the sterilization chamber 1 is opened, the elevator 4 is opened, and the articles or food to be sterilized are placed on the conveyor belt of the elevator 4 and conveyed to the mesh belt conveyor 5 in the sterilization chamber 1 by the elevator 4.

Then, the temperature control device 11 in the sterilization chamber 1 is started so that the temperature in the sterilization chamber 1 reaches the preset temperature range.

And then, opening the third control valve, starting the vacuum pump, vacuumizing the sterilization chamber 1, opening the second control valve when the air pressure in the sterilization chamber 1 reaches a set pressure, starting the liquid injection pump to convey hydrogen peroxide liquid to a liquid receiving disc in the sterilization chamber 1, wherein the hydrogen peroxide liquid is vaporized into hydrogen peroxide gas under the combined action of the ambient temperature and the low pressure in the sterilization chamber 1 and is diffused into the whole sterilization chamber 1.

Then, after a preset time, the plasma generator 7 is started to discharge hydrogen peroxide gas in the sterilization chamber 1 to generate hydrogen peroxide plasma, the mesh belt conveyor 5 is started at the same time, the food sequentially passes through the upper, middle and lower mesh belt conveyors 5 and is conveyed to the receiving bin 6, and in the process, the food is uniformly and omnidirectionally contacted with a sterilization medium (hydrogen peroxide plasma) and is sterilized.

And finally, after the preset sterilization time, opening the first control valve to enable the outside air to enter the sterilization chamber 1 through the filtering device until the pressure in the sterilization chamber 1 is restored to the atmospheric pressure, converting the sterilized hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, and ending the sterilization work, and at the moment, opening the second automatic door 3 to take out the sterilized food or articles.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and should not be taken as limiting the invention, and any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A food sterilization device based on plasma technology is characterized by comprising:

the sterilization chamber is provided with a feeding hole and a discharging hole on the wall;

a plasma generator disposed within the sterilization chamber;

vaporizing means for vaporizing liquid used as food sterilization within the sterilization chamber from a liquid state to a gaseous state;

and the input end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the feeding hole, and the output end of the continuous conveying device is connected with the discharging hole.

2. The plasma technology based food sterilization device of claim 1, wherein the vaporizing device comprises a vacuum evacuation device for evacuating the sterilization chamber;

the liquid used for food sterilization in the sterilization chamber comprises hydrogen peroxide liquid, and correspondingly, the sterilization chamber is connected with a hydrogen peroxide supply device.

3. The plasma technology-based food sterilization apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hydrogen peroxide supply means comprises:

the liquid receiving disc is arranged in the sterilizing chamber;

the liquid storage tank is used for storing hydrogen peroxide liquid;

and the liquid injection pump is used for pumping the hydrogen peroxide liquid in the liquid storage tank to the liquid receiving disc.

4. The food sterilization device based on plasma technology as claimed in claim 2, wherein a temperature control device is further disposed in the sterilization chamber, and the temperature control device is communicatively connected to the vacuum pumping device.

5. The food sterilization apparatus based on plasma technology as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sterilization chamber further comprises a ventilation interface on the chamber wall, and the ventilation interface comprises a control valve and a filtering device.

6. The plasma technology based food sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plasma generator comprises:

the electrode rings are arranged on the inner side wall of the sterilization chamber at preset intervals;

and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the radio frequency power supply are correspondingly connected with the two wiring terminals on the electrode ring.

7. The plasma technology-based food sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the continuous conveyor is a mesh belt conveyor.

8. The plasma technology-based food sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the continuous conveying device comprises a plurality of continuous conveying devices, the continuous conveying devices are sequentially arranged in layers from top to bottom in the sterilization chamber, the input end of the continuous conveying device positioned at the uppermost layer is connected with the feeding hole, the output end of the continuous conveying device positioned at the lowermost layer is connected with the discharging hole, and the continuous conveying devices at two adjacent layers are correspondingly connected end to end.

9. The plasma technology-based food sterilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the feed inlet is provided with a first automatic door, and the discharge outlet is provided with a second automatic door; and/or, further comprising: and the output port of the hoister is correspondingly connected with the feed port.