GB667362A - Improvements in and relating to methods and systems of treating products with electrical currents or fields to produce more valuable products - Google Patents

Abstract

Alterations in biological processes are produced by treating substances with an electric field of above 20 volts per centimetre strength in pulses of less than 5m seconds so that the said field does not produce secondary processes to a detrimental extent either directly or indirectly by heating or by electrolysis. The field direction is alternated to prevent electrolysis and may be attained by two current impulses following quickly upon each other in opposite directions or by a condenser being charged and then discharged through the substance. An alternating current of rectangular shape or a modulated high-frequency alternating current is used and the fields may pass through the substance in different directions at right angles to each other. When a liquid is treated it may be led between a pair of electrodes giving a current in one direction then led through another pair of electrodes giving a current in the opposite direction, and cooling of the liquid may be effected between the pairs of electrodes. To increase the duty cycle the liquid velocity is increased. The high frequency generator is combined with contact means whereby the current produced is periodically interrupted or greatly decreased and the contact means may be a rotating disc, a vibratory contact, a relaxation-generator or a rotating or oscillating mercury jet. The generator may be controlled by a photo-electric system. A medium frequency generator may also control the high-frequency generator and is then connected through a modulation coupling. The high frequency generator is connected to distribution means which may be made up of a mercury jet or of an electron beam switch. For high tension current impulses the generator is built up of condensers discharged by thyratrons. Radiating dipoles and reflectors may be used. The method may be used in sterilization, and viruses, toxines, bacteria cultures, tissue cultures and milk may be treated. Specification 661,651 is referred to.