FR3062990A1 - INSTALLATION FOR CONTINUOUS DECONTAMINATION OF ANIMAL CARCASSES - Google Patents

Abstract

Installation (1) for continuous decontamination of animal carcasses (2) (2), remarkable in that it comprises: - a hermetic tunnel (3) through which the carcasses (2) are intended to circulate, the tunnel (3) ) successively comprises a sealed airlock (5), a treatment chamber (4) in communication with the airlock (5), and an airlock (6) sealed in communication with the treatment chamber ( 4), the inlet (5) and outlet (6) chambers each comprise an entry door (10) and an exit door (11), said entry doors (10) being able to open only when the exit doors (11) are closed, and vice versa; conveying means (7) enabling the carcasses (2) to traverse the tunnel (3) continuously; saturated steam distribution means (14) inside the treatment chamber (4) for decontaminating the carcasses (2) with steam.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the technical sector of installations allowing the decontamination of carcasses and meats (beef, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, poultry ...), and more particularly relates to a continuous decontamination installation of such animal carcasses.

Prior art

Faced with the current reality of the contamination of butchery meats, and in order to secure production chains, it is known today to include a process of decontamination of meat in the slaughter process.

In the European Union, and unlike many countries such as the United States, Canada or Japan, no decontamination treatment with chemical or biological substances is authorized, only water and water vapor can be used for such purposes. We then proceed to thermal decontamination.

To this end, it is known from the state of the art the French patent published under the number FR 2 977 764, in the name of the Applicant. This document describes an installation for the overall decontamination of carcasses of slaughter animals by steam, remarkable in that it comprises a sealed scalding tank, held in an elevated position and inverted on a support frame, defining a perfectly horizontal lower opening. . The container is able to receive inside and entirely, at least one animal carcass, by means of means making it possible to suspend, completely introduce into said container, to hold in position for a determined period and then to extract the said carcass (s).

The installation also includes means for spraying saturated steam intended to fill the tank with saturated steam maintained at constant temperature to carry out the scalding decontamination operation.

This installation has been successfully tested in industrial conditions on ovine carcasses and large parts of bovine carcasses with abatement rates of the total flora of the order of -1 to - 2 log (CFU / g) at the surface and at all points of the carcasses, without persistence and without alteration of the organoleptic qualities of the meat.

However, this installation can be improved in terms of industrialization and industrial rates.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to provide an installation making it possible to control, industrially and continuously, the microbiological quality of animal carcasses at the end of the slaughter line.

The present invention also aims to improve the microbiological qualities of the carcasses and to carry out a decontamination without impact on their color, their appearance and their fat, while remaining competitive compared to the prior techniques both economically and environmentally.

To solve the aforementioned problems, a continuous decontamination installation for animal carcasses has been developed, remarkable in that it comprises:

- an airtight tunnel through which the carcasses are intended to circulate, the tunnel successively comprises a sealed entry airlock, a treatment enclosure in communication with the entry airlock, and a sealed exit airlock in communication with the enclosure processing, the entry and exit locks each comprise an entry door and an exit door, said entry doors being capable of opening only when the exit doors are closed, and vice versa;

- conveying means allowing the carcasses to pass continuously through the tunnel;

- means for distributing saturated steam inside the processing enclosure to decontaminate the carcasses with steam.

In this way, the carcasses are routed continuously inside the sealed tunnel. In order for a carcass to enter the entry airlock, the entry door to the entry airlock opens, while the exit door to the entry airlock remains sealed so as not to cause loss of steam and temperature in the treatment chamber. When the carcass is in the entry airlock, the entry door to the entry airlock closes and the exit door opens to allow the carcass to enter the processing enclosure. The length of the treatment chamber and the circulation speed are controlled and adapted to the treatment times. In the same way, the carcass leaves the treatment enclosure through an exit airlock, the entry and exit doors of which open successively to avoid heat losses from the treatment enclosure.

This technique makes it possible to effectively and homogeneously reduce the contamination of the surface of the carcasses, by scalding in a saturated steam bath for a determined period.

Compared to the scalding devices of the state of the art, the invention makes it possible to guarantee and control, industrially, that is to say continuously with a certain rate, a bacteriological quality of the carcasses at the end slaughter line, without persistence and without alteration of the organoleptic qualities of the meats.

According to a particular embodiment, the entry and exit doors of each airlock are pivoted about the same axis of rotation and are angularly offset by 90 °. The tunnel comprises, facing each axis of rotation, an inner wall portion having a quarter-cylinder profile whose axis of revolution corresponds to the axis of rotation of the doors, so that on part of the pivoting of the doors, these remain in sealed contact along the internal wall.

Thus, the entry and exit doors of each airlock can pivot together in one direction to allow a carcass to enter the airlock and then let it exit from said airlock, while keeping the seal with the treatment enclosure. In this embodiment, the doors then pivot in the opposite direction to return to their initial position and repeat the cycle with another carcass. The carcasses therefore pass through the airlocks, being confined between the entry and exit doors of each airlock.

According to another embodiment, the entry and exit doors of each airlock can pivot independently of one another. In this last configuration, when the carcass enters an airlock, the entry door closes, and the exit door then pivots alone to open.

According to another embodiment, the axis of rotation of the doors of each airlock is centered relative to the width of the tunnel, and each airlock comprises four doors pivotally mounted around the axis of rotation to form a turnstile, the tunnel comprises portions of internal walls in quarter-cylinder profile arranged on either side of the axes of rotation.

In this way, the installation uses the same principle as before, with a turnstile in each airlock. Thus, the tunnel can accept successive carcasses separated by a shorter distance. Indeed, it is no longer necessary to wait for the entry and exit doors of each airlock to return to the initial position. The carcasses are admitted one by one inside the tunnel. The progress is fluid and continuous, the rates are optimal.

Preferably, the conveyor means comprise a conveyor rail arranged outside and along the ceiling of the tunnel, the rail comprises elements for attaching carcasses, such as hooks, sealingly passing through the ceiling of the tunnel. The conveyor is adapted to circulate the carcasses at a speed adapted to the processing times.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the means for distributing saturated steam comprise steam distribution ramps disposed at ground level of the tunnel and releasing steam into the treatment enclosure.

Advantageously, the ramps also distribute steam in the entry and exit airlocks when said airlocks are in communication with the treatment enclosure.

Preferably, the ramps are supplied with steam via a flow control valve subject to a sensor measuring the temperature in the treatment enclosure and adapting the steam flow so as to regulate said temperature to a value between 50 ° C and 100 ° C, and preferably at a value of 55 ° C.

In the configuration where the temperature inside the treatment enclosure is regulated at 55 ° C., the installation comprises projection means, such as nozzles, ensuring a shower of the carcass with lactic acid or diffusion into the treatment enclosure of a lactic acid mist, the lactic acid having a concentration of between 2 and 5%.

Finally, the tunnel is made of composite material because it has the advantage of ensuring thermal insulation of the internal wall, of being light and of having a coefficient of expansion much lower than that of stainless steel. The composite material also allows the various modules to be assembled directly on site, which facilitates its installation in an industrial environment. Finally, the composite material is resistant to chemical attack and has a very high level of corrosion resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the installation according to the invention, the tunnel being shown in transparency to reveal the entry and exit doors that include the entry and exit airlocks;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the installation, illustrating a carcass suspended by the conveying means;

Figures 3 to 10 are views in longitudinal section of the installation, illustrating the successive stages of the crossing of the tunnel by an animal carcass;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a step which can replace that of Figure 6;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of a step which can replace that of Figure 8;

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention, implementing turnstiles inside the entry and exit airlocks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 13, the invention relates to an installation (1) for decontaminating animal carcasses (2), continuously and by steam bath maintained at a stable temperature of between 50 ° C and 100 ° C, for example 90 ° C.

To this end, the installation (1) comprises a hermetic tunnel (3) through which the carcasses (2) are routed continuously. The tunnel (3) internally comprises an enclosure for treatment (4) by the vapor of the carcasses (2), in communication, on either side, with a sealed entry airlock (5) and an exit airlock (6 ) waterproof.

Referring to Figure 2, the carcasses (2) are routed through the tunnel (3) by conveyor means (7) comprising, for example, a conveyor rail (8) disposed outside and along the tunnel ceiling (3). The rail (8) comprises hooking elements (9) of the carcasses (2), such as hooks, sealingly passing through the ceiling of the tunnel (3). The conveying means are adapted to circulate the carcasses (2) at a speed, preferably constant, adapted to the treatment times.

The carcasses (2) enter the tunnel (3) through the entry airlock (5), then are conveyed in a sealed manner in the treatment enclosure (4), and are then evacuated from the tunnel (3), always from sealingly, through the exit airlock (6).

In practice, and according to a preferred example of implementation, the entry (5) and exit (6) airlocks each comprise an entry door (10) and an exit door (11), both mounted pivoting about the same axis of rotation (12) disposed at a lateral internal wall of the tunnel (3). Of course, a center distance between the doors can be seen, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The entry (10) and exit (11) doors define an angle between them, preferably fixed, of 90 °, and their free flank is able, when the doors (10, 11) pivot, to come into contact watertight with a portion of curved internal wall (13), opposite the axis of rotation (12), having a quarter-cylinder profile whose axis of revolution corresponds to the axis of rotation (12) of the doors (10 , 11). In this way, during the pivoting of the doors (10, 11), there is always at least one door which is in leaktight contact with the curved internal wall (13), to alternately ensure the seal between the airlocks (5, 6) and outside the tunnel (3), or between the airlocks (5, 6) and the treatment chamber (4). This configuration makes it possible to avoid temperature drops inside the tunnel (3) and therefore to stabilize the temperature of the treatment chamber (4), for example at 90 ° C.

In practice, the doors (10, 11) can pivot together around the axis of rotation (12) keeping between them the angle of 90 ° to adopt a so-called initial position in which the entry doors (10) and outlet (11) are closed, a position in which the airlocks (5, 6) communicate with the outside of the tunnel (3) while ensuring the seal between the airlocks (5, 6) and the treatment enclosure ( 4), and a position in which the airlocks (5, 6) communicate with the treatment enclosure (4), while keeping the seal between the airlocks (5, 6) and the outside of the tunnel (3). In other words, for each airlock (5, 6), the entry door (10) is capable of opening only when the exit door (11) is closed, and vice versa.

The doors (10, 11) thus make it possible to limit the entry of cold air into the treatment enclosure (4) as well as the heat loss during the exit of the carcasses (2), with the objective of preserving a stable treatment temperature of 90 ° C for example. The pivoting doors (10, 11) allow the carcasses (2) to enter and exit the tunnel relatively quickly.

For the steam treatment of the carcasses (2), means for distributing saturated steam (14), for example in the form of distribution ramps, are arranged inside the treatment enclosure (4). The ramps are, for example, connected to an electric boiler for the production of steam, via pipes and a flow control valve which is suitable, in combination with sensors measuring the temperature in the treatment enclosure (4) , to adapt the steam flow so as to regulate said temperature to a value between 50 ° C and 100 ° C, and preferably 55 ° C. Steam can be supplied through nozzles.

The steam distribution ramps are preferably arranged at ground level of the tunnel (3). The saturated vapor having a density lower than the ambient air, then rises to occupy the entire volume of the treatment enclosure (4).

Preferably, the ramps can be arranged directly in the airlocks (5, 6), or else are oriented to also distribute steam in the entry (5) and exit airlocks, when these are open and in communication with the treatment chamber (4) to avoid any loss of heat when the airlocks (5, 6) open on the treatment chamber (4).

The installation (1) is also equipped to carry out a treatment of the carcasses (2) with a chemical agent, such as lactic acid having a concentration of between 2% and 5%. To this end, with reference to FIG. 2, the installation (1) comprises means for projecting a shower of lactic acid onto the carcass, or for spraying a mist of lactic acid into the enclosure of treatment (4).

Preferably, the tunnel (3) is made of composite material because it has the advantage of ensuring thermal insulation of the internal wall, of being light and of having a coefficient of expansion much lower than that of stainless steel. . The composite material also allows the various modules to be assembled directly on site, which facilitates its installation in an industrial environment. Finally, the composite material is resistant to chemical attack and has a very high level of corrosion resistance. To guarantee safety in use, the outer wall of the tunnel (3) is also thermally insulated.

Advantageously, the installation (1) may include a system for extracting steam leaks at the entrance to the entry airlock (5) and the exit from the exit airlock (6) to avoid impacting the temperature and humidity of the slaughterhouse in which the installation is located (1). The installation (1) also includes a condensate drainage system at the bottom of the tunnel (3). In addition, the installation (1) may include a fume extraction system, integrated into the tunnel (3) at the airlocks (5, 6), for example by means of the establishment of a zone connected to an Air Treatment Plant (CTA) of the plant in which the installation (1) is located.

In practice, the control of the installation (1) is provided automatically in order to control the conveying speed and therefore the advance of the carcasses (2), the pivoting of the doors (10, 11), the setting in steam production on and off. In addition, input and output sensors are provided on the conveyor means (7) so that the passage of the hooks supporting the carcasses (2) trigger the different stages of a treatment cycle, in particular the openings and closings of the airlock doors (10, 11) (5, 6)

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 10, it is described below, step by step, the treatment of an animal carcass (2), or of a half-carcass according to the dimensions of the installation (1).

The carcass (2) is routed in front of the entrance to the entrance airlock (5) of the tunnel (3) (Fig. 3). The entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the entry airlock (5) pivot together to pass into the open position of the entry airlock (5), while ensuring sealing between the airlock inlet (5) and the processing enclosure (4). For this purpose, as indicated above, the exit door (11) of the entry airlock (5) remains in sealed contact, during pivoting, with the curved internal wall (13). The carcass (2) is advanced between the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the entry airlock (5) (Fig. 4).

The conveying means (7) continue to advance the carcass (2), while the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the entry airlock (5) pivot progressively to pass, successively, in the position in which the airlock communicates neither with the outside, nor with the treatment enclosure (4) (Fig. 5), then in the position in which the entry airlock (5) communicates with the 'treatment enclosure (4), while ensuring sealing with the outside of the tunnel (3) (Fig. 6).

The steam distribution means (14) distribute steam as soon as the entry airlock (5) is in communication with the treatment enclosure (4). The steam is directed inside the airlock (5), as well as inside the treatment enclosure (4). The temperature is maintained at 90 ° C. In a particular example of implementation, the saturated vapor is distributed and maintained at a temperature of 55 ° C., in combination with a chemical treatment with concentrated lactic acid between 2% and 5%, via a showering or spraying with a lactic acid mist, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 101/2013 on the use of lactic acid to reduce microbiological contamination of carcass surface (2).

FIG. 11 illustrates a step of replacing that illustrated in FIG. 6. Indeed, with reference to FIG. 11, the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the entry airlock (5) can each be motorized and pivot independently of each other. In this way, when the carcass (2) is in the entry airlock (5), between the two doors (10, 11), only the exit door (11) of the entry airlock (5) can pivot to let the carcass (2) enter the treatment chamber (4).

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Then, with reference to FIG. 7, the carcass (2) is conveyed in the direction of the exit airlock (6). During its stay in the treatment chamber (4), the carcass (2) is decontaminated with steam, and advantageously with lactic acid. The length of the treatment chamber (4) and the speed of conveying the carcass (2) are adapted to the recommended treatment time. The carcass (2) is advantageously never stopped and continues through the tunnel (3). The pace is optimal.

With reference to FIG. 8, the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the entry airlock (5) are pivoted in opposite directions to return to their initial position in which the airlock (5) neither communicates nor with the outside, nor with the treatment enclosure (4). In the same way, the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the exit airlock (6) pivot to allow the carcass (2) to penetrate into the exit airlock (6). The steam release ramps release steam inside the outlet airlock (6) to limit heat loss.

Then, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the exit airlock (6) pivot in opposite directions to cause the carcass (2) to be removed from the tunnel (3), while ensuring the tightness of the treatment chamber (4).

FIG. 12 illustrates a step of replacing that illustrated in FIG. 8. In fact, with reference to FIG. 12, the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of the exit airlock (6) can each be motorized and pivot independently of each other. In this way, when the carcass (2) is in the treatment enclosure (4), only the entry door (10) of the exit airlock (6) can pivot to allow the carcass (2) to enter said exit airlock (6), between the two doors (10, 11).

Finally, FIG. 13 illustrates another possible embodiment of the invention, presenting a higher yield and a higher rate because the doors require no turning back. In this embodiment, the entry (5) and exit (6) airlocks each comprise four doors (15) pivotally mounted about an axis (12), in the manner of a turnstile. The free sides of the doors (15) cooperate in a sealed manner with curved lateral internal walls (13) located on either side of the axis of rotation (12) of the turnstiles.

In this latter configuration, several successive carcasses (2) can enter the tunnel (3) with a higher rate. Of course, a person skilled in the art will know how to adapt the trajectory of the conveying means (7) so that the carcasses (2) follow the path imposed by the turnstiles.

From the above, the invention does indeed provide an installation (1) making it possible to control, industrially and continuously, the microbiological quality of animal carcasses (2) (2) at the end of the slaughter line.

Claims (11)

1. Installation (1) for continuous decontamination of animal carcasses (2) (2), characterized in that it comprises: 5 - a hermetic tunnel (3) through which the carcasses (2) are intended to circulate, the tunnel (3) successively comprises a sealed airlock (5), a treatment enclosure (4) in communication with the airlock entry (5), and a sealed exit airlock (6) in communication with the treatment enclosure (4), the entry (5) and exit airlock (6) each include an entry door ( 10) and a door 10 exit (11), said entry doors (10) being able to open only when the exit doors (11) are closed, and vice versa; - conveying means (7) allowing the carcasses (2) to pass continuously through the tunnel (3); - means for distributing saturated steam (14) inside the enclosure of 15 treatment (4) to decontaminate the carcasses (2) with steam. 2. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the entry (10) and exit (11) doors of each airlock (5, 6) are pivotally mounted about a same axis of rotation (12 ) and are angularly offset by 90 °, and in that the tunnel (3) 20 comprises, facing each axis of rotation (12), a portion of curved internal wall (13) having a quarter-cylinder profile whose axis of revolution corresponds to the axis of rotation (12) of the doors (10, 11), so that on part of the pivoting of the doors (10, 11), the latter remain in sealed contact along the curved internal wall (13). 3. Installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the entry doors (10) and exit (11) of each airlock (5, 6) can pivot independently of one another. 30 4. Installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the axis of rotation (12) of the doors (10, 11) of each airlock (5, 6) is centered relative to the width of the tunnel (3) , and each airlock (5, 6) comprises four doors (15) pivotally mounted around the axis of rotation (12) to form a turnstile, the tunnel (3) comprises portions of curved internal walls (13) in profile quarter cylinder arranged on the side and 35 on the other axes of rotation (12). 5. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (7) comprise a conveying rail (8) disposed outside and along the tunnel ceiling (3), the rail (8 ) comprises hooking elements (9) of the carcasses (2) sealingly passing through the ceiling of the tunnel (3). 6. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of 5 saturated steam distribution (14) comprise steam distribution ramps arranged at the level of the tunnel floor (3) and releasing steam into the treatment enclosure (4). 7. Installation (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the ramps distribute 10 also steam in the entry (5) and exit (6) locks when said locks (5, 6) are in communication with the processing enclosure (4). 8. Installation (1) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the ramps are supplied with steam via a regulating valve of 15 flow rate subject to a sensor measuring the temperature in the treatment enclosure (4) to adapt the steam flow rate so as to regulate said temperature to a value between 50 ° C and 100 ° C. 9. Installation (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the valve 20 flow control adapts the steam flow to regulate the temperature inside the enclosure to a value of 55 ° C. 10. Installation (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises projection means (15) ensuring a shower of the carcass (2) with acid 25 lactic acid or diffusion in the treatment chamber (4) of a lactic acid mist, the lactic acid having a concentration of between 2 and 5%. 11. Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tunnel (3) is made of composite material. 1/4 2/4 3/4