WO2016100997A1

WO2016100997A1 - Method and device for treating foods and/or containers by means of a process liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2016100997A1
Application number: PCT/AT2015/050327
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Concin; Harald EDER; Christian RINDERER; Matthias Rinderer; Volker VIECHTBAUER
Original assignee: Red Bull Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2015-12-22
Publication date: 2016-06-30

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for treating foods and/or containers for holding foods. The foods and/or containers are treated with a process liquid in at least one treatment zone, wherein the process liquid is at least partially recirculated into the treatment zone or the treatment zones after the foods and/or the container have been treated. At least one membrane filtration system and at least one UV irradiation apparatus are provided for cleaning and sterilizing the process liquid. An adsorption stage can also be provided.

Description

Method and device for treating food and / or containers by means of a process fluid

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of foods and / or containers for holding food, as well as a device for the treatment of food and / or containers for receiving food. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the treatment of luxury foods, in particular alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The foodstuffs or the containers for holding the foodstuffs are treated by means of a process liquid in at least one treatment zone, the process liquid being discharged from the treatment zone (s) for reuse at least partially in the process in the circle of the treatment zone (s). For cleaning and sterilization, at least a portion or the entire amount of the at least partially recirculated process liquid is used to form at least one stream of process liquid, and the at least one stream formed is filtered by at least one membrane filtration unit and / or by at least one Irradiated UV irradiation device. Methods and devices for the treatment of food and / or containers are known in various variants from the prior art. Frequently, the products, for example foods, and / or the containers are treated by means of a tempered process liquid, as is the case, for example, with pasteurizations of food products in so-called pasteurisers. In most cases, the process liquid used is water or an aqueous solution which acts indirectly on the products or directly on the containers.

In order to avoid large amounts of liquid waste or wastewater, the process liquid or the process water is often at least partially circulated through the device or the treatment zone (s), the process liquid is thus reused in a circulation process. However, this procedure requires an increased potential for contamination or contamination of the process fluid, in particular an increased risk of growth of germs or pathogenic microorganisms. Facilities for the Handling of products or containers are walkable in most cases, so it is by no means given conditions with controlled air circulation or the like. In addition to the ambient air, other sources of dirt and germs, such as the operating personnel or other persons, conveying elements for the containers or the products, any existing cooling devices for the process liquid, in particular air-cooled cooling towers, or the fresh in the process or the device introduced process liquid itself, available. Furthermore, contamination can be introduced by the treatment process itself, for example by damage to the containers and contamination of the process liquid by the product, or by detachment of particles, for example paint particles or the like, from the outside of the containers.

In the past, some methods have been proposed to remove contaminants from a process fluid. These are filtration measures to remove relatively coarse particles, such as broken glass, sand, gravel and the like. As an example, EP 2 722 089 AI called. In EP 2 722 089 AI a device for the thermal treatment of products in containers is described. The containers are sprinkled or sprayed with a process liquid, and the process liquid, for example water, is guided for at least partial reuse in a circulation circuit. To clean the process liquid, a gravity sedimentation device is used, by means of which coarse-grained or large particles, such as glass shards or sand can be deposited.

The methods known from the prior art describe, for example, filtration methods for the separation of relatively large particles from a process fluid, by means of deposition devices, for example conventional mesh screens, sieve belts or plug-in sieves, or else sedimentation devices.

However, these measures known from the prior art are not suitable for removing contaminants having a relatively small particle size from the process fluid. This particularly relates to particle contaminants, which can not be removed by conventional filter screens and other separation devices, or settle, for example, or only very slowly from a process water stream. Furthermore, microorganisms or pathogenic germs can not sufficiently be removed from the process liquid or the process water. In particular, these prior art measures are not an effective means to prevent or at least reduce an increase or growth of microorganisms or germ colonies. For this purpose, the far-reaching use of germ-deactivating acting chemicals such as chlorine or chlorinating agent is necessary, which chemicals can be largely harmful to health and the environment. In addition, the use of chemicals for disinfection is usually associated with high costs.

In such devices or systems for the treatment of products or foodstuffs conditions are also given at least in some areas, which

Growth or proliferation of microorganisms in the process liquid or the process water favor, for example, due to a particularly suitable, growth-promoting temperature. These microorganisms, for example bacteria, fungal spores, but also viruses, can be introduced into the device both with fresh process water or else by operating personnel or other persons. In principle, it can not be entirely ruled out that microorganisms reach the outside of the containers in the course of the treatment, and remain there at least partially even after the treatment process. Particularly problematic in terms of filtration using conventional screens unfavorable particle size distribution in a typical process water is considered. In particular, the use of chemicals such as surfactants favors very small particle sizes, which can not or only to an insufficient extent be removed from the process liquid with conventional separation devices. Ultimately, in presently known processes for treating products or containers in which the process liquid is at least partially recirculated, the production or treatment plant must be interrupted at relatively short intervals in order to clean and sterilize the treatment apparatus. Such cleaning and degermination operations are usually very expensive, and in particular lead to production losses, and thus to financial losses.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop an improved method and an improved device which remedy the deficiencies that are still present in the prior art capital. In particular, an improved method or an improved device for treating products, in particular food products, and / or containers should be provided in comparison with the prior art, in which method or device, the process liquid for reuse at least partially in the process in a circle can be performed, but the disadvantages associated with it are kept as far as possible by the continuously increasing contamination or contamination of the process liquid.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a method for treating foodstuffs or containers for holding foods by means of a process fluid in at least one treatment zone, in which method at least one membrane filtration system and at least one UV irradiation device for continuous cleaning and sterilization of the process liquid is provided. The food or the containers are thereby introduced into a treatment zone or conveyed through a treatment zone. At least one fluid stream of the process fluid is supplied to the treatment zone or the treatment zones for acting on the foodstuffs or the containers, and after treatment of the food products or containers is removed again from the treatment zone, the process fluid being used to treat the foodstuffs or the containers for reuse in the process, at least partially recirculated to the treatment zone or treatment zones.

In particular, in the continuous, ongoing treatment operation from the per process time unit through all existing treatment zones run process liquid per unit time at least a subset or the total amount of process liquid used to form at least one stream of process liquid, and the at least one formed stream of process liquid for cleaning and Sterilization of the process liquid is filtered by means of at least one membrane filtration system and / or irradiated by at least one UV irradiation device, and an irradiated and / or filtered stream after the filtration process at least partially fed back to a process liquid containing or leading element and / or a treatment zone. Under a process liquid containing or leading element, or guide element for the process liquid is here and below understood any element which is designed to contain the process fluid or for conducting a liquid flow of the process liquid. These can be, for example, pipelines, channels and the like, in which the process fluid is supplied, for example, to a treatment zone or removed from a treatment zone. Furthermore, the term "guide element" is understood as meaning, for example but not exclusively, reservoirs, tanks, or collecting devices for the process fluid or the like arranged in or outside the treatment zones.

A treatment zone is understood here and below to mean a zone in which the foodstuffs are preferably brought into contact indirectly and / or the containers are preferably brought into direct contact with the process liquid. In this case, the physical and / or chemical and / or other parameters of the process fluid can be adjusted specifically for the respective treatment purpose of the zone. The effect of the process fluid on the food or the containers for receiving food can be done in various ways. For example, in order to generate the desired interaction, the process fluid and a liquid food to be treated can be conducted in a materially separated manner in countercurrent or direct current or cross-current principle in respectively adjoining guide elements. The desired interaction can be achieved by heat transfer between food and process liquid in terms of a heat exchanger, as is customary, for example, in the pasteurization for preserving milk. Another frequently used method is the pasteurization of food products, in which the food is already in sealed containers, and the process liquid acts on the outside of the containers. In this case, the process liquid can be poured onto the outside of the containers, or the containers are sprinkled or sprayed with the process liquid. As a further example, however, immersion methods are also possible in which the containers containing a food are dipped into the process fluid. Of course, the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention can also be used for the treatment, for example for rinsing / cleaning empty containers. Ultimately, the term treatment zone thus at least in the broadest Therein also a process fluid-containing or leading element, or guide element for the process fluid to understand.

A liquid flow of the process liquid is understood here and below to mean any type of guided, moving process liquid, irrespective of how the liquid flow or its guidance is configured. That is, the term "liquid flow" includes, for example, a flow of moving process liquid in guide elements such as piping, channels, basins, tanks, etc., as well as, for example, an ambient air pressure free falling shower flow or spray flow of the process liquid in one Treatment zone or a stream of process liquid in a recooling device or the like.

By the measures specified in claim 1, a method can be provided, which is particularly suitable for the removal of contamination or contamination with very small particle size, such as bacterial colonies from the process liquid, as well as for sterilization of the process liquid. This makes it possible to achieve a substantial improvement over previously known methods, which are only very limited, or even ineffective, with regard to the removal of small particles, as well as viable or reproducible microorganisms from a process fluid that is at least partially circulated. The cleaning and sterilization of the process liquid can advantageously be carried out in the ongoing treatment operation, and is relatively efficient and energy-efficient.

Furthermore, membrane filtration per se is effective in removing microorganisms, thereby synergistically increasing the efficiency of reducing replicative microorganisms by combining membrane filtration and UV irradiation. In particular, when carrying out the membrane filtration as so-called 'ultrafiltration', ie filtration with membranes with pore diameters of about 0.2 m or less, both inorganic and organic small and very small particles, such as bacterial colonies, can be effectively removed from the process liquid. In principle, a UV irradiation device can be connected on the input side serially with a guide element which contains or guides the process fluid, for example a conduit. In this case, the entire liquid flow of the process liquid flowing through this guide element or conduit is guided and irradiated via the UV irradiation device. The same applies in principle to the connection of a membrane filtration system for the filtration of the process fluid.

Alternatively, a UV irradiation device and / or a membrane filtration system can also be fluidly connected in parallel to a guide element containing the process fluid, so that a subset of the process fluid can be used to form at least one flow of the process fluid per unit time from the fluid flow of the process fluid. In this connection, it can also be advantageous if, by means of at least one adjustable distribution means or a plurality of cooperating distribution means in a controlled manner per unit time, a definable amount of the process liquid is taken from at least one element containing or containing the process liquid and at least one is formed Stream of the process liquid is used, which stream can then be irradiated and / or filtered. As a result of this measure, the subset of process fluid withdrawn per unit of time from a liquid flow of the process fluid can be determined and controlled in a precise manner. It is advantageous, furthermore, that a subset of process fluid taken off per unit time can be adapted and varied to the respective current conditions. Thus, capacity bottlenecks can be avoided without having to compromise on the degree of contamination or germ content of the process fluid.

The exact number and type and location of the integration of the membrane filtration system (s) and UV irradiation device (s) or the attachment of a membrane filtration system and a UV irradiation device to the process liquid conducting guide elements and / or treatment zone (s), under Consideration of structural features or process parameters and the like can be set or made. However, in certain arrangement variants, advantages may result for the method for the treatment of foods or containers, which will be explained in more detail below. To remove large-particle impurities in the process fluid, for example, dirt traps or the like may additionally be arranged in the guide elements. For example, a gravity sedimentation device, as described in already cited EP 2 722 089 A1, can be used for the separation of large or large-particle particles.

By the measures specified in claim 1 is further achieved that costly and costly interruptions of the production or treatment operation for the purpose of cleaning the treatment device can be avoided as possible, or at least the time intervals between such cleaning processes can be significantly increased. In addition, microfiltration or ultrafiltration and UV irradiation can at least reduce the amount of chemical stabilizers for processing the process fluid, in particular the required amounts of surfactants and corrosion inhibitors, as well as disinfectants or biocides, or can the use be such. cleaning chemicals and disinfection chemicals are at least largely saved or minimized. Membrane filtration is effective in removing both microorganisms and other contaminants. UV irradiation can further increase the efficiency of the process with regard to sterilization. The membrane filtration can also significantly improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the UV irradiation device (s). Small and very small particles as well

Suspended matter can cause turbidity of the process fluid, which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of UV irradiation. By means of a membrane filtration system, the turbidity of the process fluid can be significantly reduced, and thus efficiency losses of UV irradiation by UV light absorption, scattering, etc. are kept. The turbidity of a liquid can be indicated, for example, by the unit NTU (Nephelometric haze value). The process fluid preferably has a turbidity of less than 5 NTU, in particular less than 1 NTU.

Small and very small particles or turbidity-causing substances can, among other things, be caused during the production of the containers by shaping or machining operations, such as cutting, milling, drilling or the like, or get through the containers into the process liquid. In this case, in typical devices for food and / or containers, in particular the formation of small and micro particles due to the use of chemicals such as surfactants.

In a further consequence, a substantial improvement with regard to environmental protection can be achieved, or the load on a device or device downstream of the method or device, such as a sewage treatment plant, can be minimized. In addition, irradiation with UV light is also effective in suppressing proliferation of at least most species of algae. In addition, olfactory factors can be improved by the measures according to the invention, since formation of undesirable or unpleasant odors can be obstructed. Various microorganisms, especially bacteria are known to generate foul-smelling perfumes as metabolites. By removing or killing these microorganisms, unpleasant odor pollution can largely be avoided.

Bacterial strains can become "used" to the biocides used, or bacterial strains that are resistant to the biocides used can be formed if biocides remain in the process liquid for a longer period of time with the simultaneous use of biocides, ie biocides for removing microorganisms from the process liquid over time Due to the continuous removal of the microorganisms from the process fluid and the additional UV irradiation of the process fluid, the formation of resistant germs can be obstructed or the use of biocides can be minimized altogether, since efficient and effective For example, the growth of biocide-resistant and / or chlorine-resistant bacteria can also be achieved by membrane filtration and UV irradiation strains are effectively arrested. Of course, other organic and inorganic small and very small particles can be removed from the process liquid by means of the at least one membrane filtration system. This also results in a further improvement in terms of microorganism growth or in terms of the growth rate of microorganisms in The process liquid, as organic and inorganic small and very small particles can often form good nutrient bases or "nutrient media", for example for bacteria By removing unwanted particle contamination by means of membrane filtration, the use of otherwise necessary chemicals to eliminate such impurities , such as surfactants, effectively lowered.

Furthermore, by the measures according to the invention also dust-like contaminants can be removed from the process liquid. Such contamination can be caused, for example, during the manufacture of containers by shaping or machining operations such as cutting, milling, drilling or the like. In the production of containers, for example, glass or metal dust, in particular aluminum dust can be obtained, which dusts can be introduced with the containers in the process for the treatment of food or containers. Finally, by the measures according to the invention also contamination or germ contamination of the outside of the containers, as well as the surfaces of the device for the treatment of food or containers by the process liquid itself can be effectively prevented. This brings further advantages in terms of any Nachbehandlungsbzw, additional cleaning measures, the extent of which can at least be reduced. Optionally, due to the measures according to the invention, a subsequent cleaning of the containers with cleaning and disinfecting chemicals and / or sterilization of the containers are unnecessary.

The continuing measure to fill the food to be treated before treatment in containers that close containers to temper a respective liquid flow of the process liquid before feeding into a treatment zone, and to carry out the treatment of the food in a treatment zone by heat transfer by means of a tempered process liquid by the Process liquid flows around the outside of the containers, on the one hand represents a particularly efficient measure for the treatment of food, since after the treatment of an already bottled commercial product can be provided. In addition, a direct contact of the food with the process liquid can be avoided. Furthermore, it may be expedient to adjust the temperatures of the respective liquid flows of the process liquid in a controlled manner before feeding into a treatment zone separately for each treatment zone, and to pasteurize the food products in at least one treatment zone by means of a heated process liquid. The pasteurization allows longer shelf life for the food. The specified measures for the controlled temperature control of the process liquid have the advantage that the entire process for the treatment of foods or containers is better controllable. In particular, such unwanted damage to the food and / or the containers can be kept behind due to rapid or too high temperature changes.

It may be useful, particularly with regard to pasteurization of the food, to heat the foods to be treated, in particular stimulants, in at least one treatment zone in succession, to passurize them in at least one treatment zone, and to cool them down in at least one treatment zone. On the one hand, a gentle heating of the food can be ensured by a slow heating in at least one heating zone. On the other hand, due to the active cooling in at least one cooling zone after pasteurization, a so-called "overpasteurization" can be effectively prevented for too long a period due to the high temperature of the food The process steps described for the sequential treatment of the foodstuffs, in particular semi-luxury products, enable a process which is easy to control and very gentle on the foodstuffs one or more treatment zones, the process liquid with a pasteurization temperature, for example, introduced 80 to 85 ° C, and then the process liquid in one or more cooling zones f in turn, the foodstuffs or containers are introduced in zones at a sequentially lower temperature for cooling the foodstuffs or containers.

As an alternative to the specified temperature ranges, which are given by way of example for pasteurization of foods, it is possible for other treatment processes to be used independently. Of course, other temperature ranges may be appropriate. As an additional example, superheated steam sterilization is mentioned at this point, in which temperatures of the process liquid or of a process water above 100 ° C. can also be used so that the process water acts on the containers at least in sterilization zones in the gaseous state.

It has proved particularly expedient if a liquid stream is fed to at least one treatment zone for heating the foodstuffs and / or containers at a temperature between 40 ° C. and 50 ° C. As a result, as gentle as possible preheating of the food is provided, and excessive temperature jumps in the course of heating of the food can be prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that at least one stream filtered by means of a membrane filtration system is fed and irradiated to a UV irradiation device immediately following the filtration process, and a filtered and irradiated stream of the process liquid at least one guiding element containing and / or guiding the process liquid and / or at least one treatment zone is supplied again. In this way, it can be ensured that a process fluid with particularly low turbidity can be irradiated by means of the UV irradiation device, whereby the efficiency of the UV irradiation can be increased again.

To provide a process fluid with low turbidity, it may also be useful if the formation of at least one stream to be filtered process liquid is used at a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C. At a process fluid temperature in this range, particularly good filtration results can be achieved by membrane filtration or ultrafiltration. The inter alia because in particular a blockage of filter membranes by lubricants such as paraffins or waxes, can be avoided in this temperature range. Such lubricants are often used in the course of the production of containers, remain partially stick to the containers after production, and can thus be introduced into the process liquid. By membrane filtration of the process fluid in the specified temperature range can turn a process fluid with particularly low turbidity for the UV irradiation are provided.

In this context, it can also be provided that the at least one stream is formed by removing the process liquid from a temperature-controlled flow container for the process liquid. As a result, the efficiency of the membrane filtration or the filtration performance can be increased again.

With regard to the cleaning efficiency for the process liquid in the continuous treatment operation, it may be expedient to select the process liquid quantities used in the continuous treatment operation from at least one guide element containing and / or leading the process liquid per unit time to form at least one stream of the process liquid such that through the Irradiation and / or filtration of the stream or streams a removal rate for microorganisms is greater, which is greater than the growth rate of these microorganisms in the process liquid in the same unit time. In this way, it can be achieved, in particular, that the total amount of viable and replicable microorganisms in the process fluid is minimized as far as possible and an increase in the total amount of microorganisms in the process fluid is effectively prevented in the course of the continuous treatment of the food and / or containers.

Surprisingly, it has been found that irradiation and membrane filtration of a relatively small subset of the process liquid per unit of time, based on the sum of the amounts of all fluid streams of the process fluid passed through the device or the treatment zones per unit time, is sufficient to produce a satisfactory result As a result, the structural size and / or the number of UV irradiation device (s) and membrane filtration system (s) can be kept comparatively low, without having to compromise on the degree of contamination and germ content or germ count of the process liquid. In addition, the amount of energy expended for cleaning and disinfecting the process fluid can be further reduced. By the measure, a UV-irradiated and / or micro- or ultrafiltered stream of the process liquid at ambient pressure or in free fall back into at least one process liquid containing or leading guide element and / or returned to a treatment zone, the advantage is achieved that an additional conveying means for introducing or returning an irradiated and / or filtered stream into the process liquid is not required.

It may be expedient for an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid to be supplied at least partially to a liquid stream, which is moved through a treatment zone, of the process liquid after it has acted on the food or the containers. This variant of the supply of a filtered stream into a treatment zone is particularly advantageous when a liquid flow of the process liquid is introduced under a certain admission pressure in the treatment zone. The pre-pressure may be necessary, for example, for spraying the process liquid in order to spray the containers in the treatment zone as evenly as possible. This variant of introducing a filtered and / or irradiated stream is also useful, for example, to avoid an undesirable influence of the filtered and / or irradiated stream on the food or containers in the treatment zone. This may be due, for example, to an inappropriate temperature level of the filtered and / or irradiated stream of process liquid.

It may also be expedient, at least partially, to supply an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid to a liquid stream of the process liquid moved through a treatment zone before it acts on the food or the containers. In particular, a process fluid with very high purity and with very low germ content can thus be provided for the treatment of the food or containers in a treatment zone.

Particularly advantageous is at least partial feeding of an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid of a treatment zone arranged in the process for treating foods or containers for holding the products at the end of the process, for rinsing or cleaning the outside of the food product be filled and sealed containers. Such a process step will be lent towards the end of a process for the treatment of foodstuffs or containers, followed at most by a drying step or other post-treatment step. In such a method step for rinsing or washing containers, contamination or microbial contamination of the process liquid is particularly critical, because under certain circumstances dirt and germ residues, such as bacteria or bacterial residues, may remain on the surface of the containers. Therefore, the supply of a UV-irradiated and / or filtered by a membrane filtration system or purified stream in such a treatment zone for rinsing containers is advantageous. Concerning the membrane filtration, it may further be expedient for a stream of the process liquid, after filtration, to be conducted into a feed tank by means of the membrane filtration plant, and again into at least one element containing the process liquid and / or via an overflow or equivalent element configured on the feed tank is returned to a treatment zone and / or a UV irradiation device. In particular, a supply of high purity process fluid is thus collected, which can be used for various purposes.

For example, an appropriate use of the collected in a storage tank filtrate process liquid in an embodiment of the method can be achieved that at fixed time intervals a membrane filtration plant for the purpose of cleaning the filter membranes during operation from the rest of the device for the treatment of food and / or containers fluidly separated and the filtrate of the process liquid collected in the receiver tank, by reversing the direction of flow across the filter membranes, is passed through a membrane filtration unit as compared to the filtration operation, the membrane filtration unit being cleaned by means of the filtrate with backwashing. In the course of the continuous filtration of partial streams of the process liquid, residues naturally form on the filter membranes or modules over time. At most, particularly small particles can also penetrate into a filter membrane or a pore channel of a filter membrane and remain there. Overall, coverings lead to the

Membrane surface and / or in a membrane penetrated and remaining particles or substances to blockages on and in a membrane, and thus to a decreasing flow capacity and to a reduction in the filtration performance of a filter membrane. By the specified, periodic cleaning of the filter membrane modules by means of the collected filtrate of the process liquid, reversing the flow direction blockages or the growth of pores of a membrane can be kept as far as possible. In this case, the backwashing can be additionally assisted by the introduction of gas, for example by introducing pressurized air into a filter membrane module.

In the course of a cleaning by reversing the flow direction through the filter membranes of the membrane filter system falls to a contaminated liquid waste. It may be expedient to remove this liquid waste directly from the device for the treatment of food or containers and to replace it with a corresponding amount of fresh process liquid.

In connection with a cleaning of the filter membranes of a membrane filtration plant by backwashing, it may also be expedient to arrange a UV irradiation device between a membrane filtration plant and a storage tank. As a result, a UV irradiation of the process liquid collected in the storage tank during a backwashing or cleaning process for a membrane filtration plant is enabled, and can be used for backwashing the filter membranes, a backwash liquid with a particularly low bacterial content. Alternatively, a backwashing of the filter membranes of a membrane filtration system can also be carried out by means of an externally supplied rinsing liquid, for example rinsing chemical-containing washing water or drinking water.

With regard to a membrane filtration system, it may additionally be advantageous, if necessary, both in the treatment mode or in filtration operation, as well as in the cleaning operation for the membrane filtration system, a stream of process liquid or a filtered stream or a process liquid collected in a storage tank by means of a metering device chemicals from one or more sources of chemicals. With a suitable arrangement of the metering device, for example in a discharge element for a filtered stream of the process liquid or a bypass or backwash line associated with the discharge element, admixing from the same chemical sources can take place both in the treatment mode and in the cleaning mode for the membrane filter system. The type and amount of chemicals to be used depends on the particular requirement, and the supply of chemicals can be performed by an operator of the direction, or an automatic control device for the device to be performed as needed. The fact that the supply of chemicals is possible both in the filtration operation, as well as in the cleaning operation, a flexible, targeted metered addition of chemicals from the same sources of chemicals can be carried out as needed. Examples of chemicals which are suitable in both cases are surfactants for general purification, or chlorine for disinfecting the filter membranes or other elements of the device for treating foods or containers. Other commonly used chemicals include, for example, organic acids for pH stabilization, chelating agents and corrosion inhibitors.

In addition to the treatment of the process fluid by UV irradiation and membrane filtration, it may be useful to carry out a removal or deposition of dissolved or suspended or dispersed substances via a Adso tion device. In particular, unwanted, non-coagulated constituents can also be removed from the process fluid in this way, which can not be removed by a membrane filtration system.

For the highest possible process reliability, it may be advantageous to continuously monitor the degree of contamination of the process liquid by means of suitable sensors which contain and / or guide the process liquid and / or arranged in treatment zones. In particular, measurements of the turbidity may be useful for the purpose of detecting the purity of the process fluid or the particle concentration in the process fluid. The measurement of the turbidity of the process liquid is important above all with regard to an assessment of the efficiency of the UV irradiation, since a turbidity of the process liquid can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the UV irradiation, as already explained above. Alternatively and / or additionally, measurements on samples of the process liquid are also useful, in particular in order to detect fluctuations in the content of bacterial cultures or to determine microorganism growth rates. By continuously monitoring the turbidity of the process fluid at different points or in different zones, it is also possible to localize sources of pollution and, where appropriate, initiate targeted countermeasures.

A further advantage results from the design variant that a stream of the process liquid to be irradiated and / or to be filtered depends on demand from different, the process fluid-containing or leading guide elements is formed, is filtered by means of at least one membrane filtration system and a filtered stream after the membrane filtration at least one process liquid containing or leading guide element and / or at least one treatment zone and / or at least one UV irradiation device is supplied. In particular, it may be advantageous to incorporate a membrane filtration system by means of fluidic switching and / or distributor elements into the device for treating products and / or containers in such a way that a membrane filtration system has different and / or several different guide elements for containing or guiding the process fluid and / or Treatment zones can be assigned. The possibility of switching the input side of a membrane filtration system to different sources of the process fluid to form a stream to be filtered can be reacted quickly and efficiently in a flexible manner to zonal fluctuations in the quality or degree of contamination of the process liquid, in particular fluctuations in the particle concentration , In principle, it is possible to switch from one process fluid source to another process fluid source, ie to use different fluid streams in different guide elements to form the stream to be filtered. Optionally, however, it is also possible to use a plurality of liquid streams of the process liquid at the same time to form a stream of the process liquid to be filtered. In this case, the formation of the stream to be filtered takes place by mixing the amounts used or withdrawn from the various liquid streams of the process liquid.

Furthermore, a variant embodiment may be expedient in which the flow of the process fluid for filtration by means of a membrane filtration system is formed by switching between or mixing different liquid flows of the process fluid from different guide elements as a function of measured values obtained in the course of inline measurements and / or random measurements. Likewise, it may be advantageous to recirculate a filtered stream of the process liquid as a function of measured values obtained in the course of inline measurements and / or random sample measurements, by introducing or distributing the filtered stream of the process liquid into different liquid streams of the process liquid in different guide elements or treatment zones. and / or to supply a UV irradiation device. However, the object of the invention is also achieved by providing a device for the treatment of foods and / or for the treatment of containers for holding food by means of a process liquid. The device comprises at least one treatment zone for treating the food and / or the containers , Transport means for transporting the food and / or containers through the treatment zone (s), as well as containing and / or guiding process elements for supplying liquid streams of the process liquid into a treatment zone and guide elements for discharging liquid streams of the process liquid from a treatment zone. Furthermore, the device comprises further guide elements for containing and / or guiding the process liquid in the device and at least one conveying means for conveying liquid streams of the process liquid in the guide elements, wherein the guide elements are configured and arranged such that the process liquid for treating the food at least partially in Circle can be returned to the treatment zone or in the treatment zones.

In particular, the device comprises at least one UV irradiation device and at least one membrane filtration system for cleaning and sterilizing the process fluid by membrane filtration and UV irradiation. The at least one UV irradiation device and the at least one membrane filtration system are fluidically connected to the guide elements and / or to the treatment zones in such a way that at least one subset or the total amount of process fluid passed through all existing treatment zones per unit time forms at least one Stream of the process liquid used, the formed stream or streams formed by means of at least one membrane filtration system irradiated and / or irradiated by the at least one UV irradiation device, and fed a filtered and / or irradiated stream of the process liquid at least one guide element and / or at least one treatment zone can be. Such a device is particularly suitable for the cleaning and sterilization of the process liquid. This can be a significant improvement over prior art devices reach, which in terms of removal of small and very small particles and viable or replicative microorganisms or Kei- Men from an at least partially circulated process fluid only very limited, or not at all effective. The cleaning and sterilization by means of the UV irradiation device (s) and the membrane filtration system (s) can advantageously be carried out during the ongoing treatment operation, and is also comparatively efficient and energy-saving.

The additional treatment or purification of the process liquid by means of a membrane filtration system, the effectiveness or efficiency of the UV irradiation device (s) can be significantly improved, since the turbidity of the process liquid can be significantly reduced speed, and thus efficiency losses of UV irradiation by UV -Light- From sorption, scattering, etc. are kept. Furthermore, a membrane filtration system per se is effective in removing microorganisms, thereby synergistically increasing the efficiency of reducing microbial growth by combining membrane filtration and UV irradiation. Especially when using so-called 'ultrafiltration plants', ie membrane filtration plants with filter membranes with pore diameters of about 0.2 m or smaller, both inorganic and organic small and very small particles, for example, bacterial colonies can be effectively removed from the process liquid. Both a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system can in principle be line-connected on the input side both serially and in parallel with a guide element which contains or guides the process fluid. In the case of a parallel line connection, it may be advantageous on the input side of a UV irradiation device and / or a membrane filtration system at least one adjustable distribution means and / or a plurality of cooperating distribution means for the controlled removal of a definable amount of process liquid per unit time from at least one guiding element containing the process liquid and to arrange for the formation of a stream of process liquid to be irradiated and / or filtered. By means of this design feature, the subset taken from a liquid flow of the process liquid per unit of time can be very precisely controlled and adapted to the respective current conditions. Further advantages resulting from the features of the device have already been explained in greater detail above with reference to the description of the method which can be carried out by means of the device, which is why a further explanation can be dispensed with here. In an expedient development of the device, this comprises at least one

Heating means for heating the process liquid, and a coolant for cooling the process liquid. As a result, the foods or containers can be heated and cooled in a targeted manner by means of appropriately tempered liquid streams of the process liquid.

The further feature that at least one treatment zone for application of the process liquid is configured on an outer side of sealed containers, wherein the process liquid flows around the outside of a sealed container, represents a particularly efficient structural feature for the treatment of food, as already after the treatment ready-filled commercial product can be provided. In addition, the risk of recontamination of the food in a filling zone adjoining the treatment zone (s) can thus be ruled out, or a filling zone downstream of the treatment zones is unnecessary. In addition, it may be advantageous to arrange at least one treatment zone for heating the food and / or containers, at least one treatment zone for pasteurization of the food and at least one treatment zone for cooling the food and / or containers in succession along a transport direction of the food or containers , By this embodiment, a device for the treatment of food or containers can be provided, by means of which the food can be pasteurized particularly gently and damage to the pasteurized food can be effectively prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, it can be provided that at least one UV irradiation device is arranged fluidically immediately following a membrane filtration system, so that a filtered stream of the process fluid can be irradiated immediately after membrane filtration by means of a UV irradiation device. As a result, the efficiency of the UV irradiation can be further increased, because a process fluid with particularly low turbidity can be provided for the UV irradiation.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a supply element of a Membranfiltrationsan- läge with a temperature-controlled flow container for the process fluid is line connected. Thus, the temperature of a stream of process liquid to be filtered can be adjusted in a targeted manner, and the filtration efficiency can be optimized.

In addition, it may be expedient to design the device in such a way that the number and irradiation power of the UV irradiation device (s) and the number and filtration capacity of the membrane filtration system (s) are determined in such a way that at least one of the process fluids in the continuous treatment operation including and / or leading element per unit of time used to form at least one stream of the process liquid process liquid amount can be selected so that by the filtration and irradiation of the stream or streams, a removal rate for

Microorganisms which is greater than the growth rate of the microorganisms in the process liquid in the same time unit can be achieved. These features provide a device in which the total amount of microorganisms capable of living or reproducing in the process liquid can be kept as low as possible by the UV irradiation device (s) and the membrane filtration system (s) and an increase in the total amount Microorganisms in the process liquid in the course of the continuous treatment of food and / or containers is effectively prevented.

Another advantage may be an embodiment of the device, in which for the return of an irradiated and / or filtered stream of process liquid discharge elements of at least one UV irradiation device and / or at least one membrane filtration system with at least one guide element and / or at least one treatment zone are so line connected in that an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid can be supplied to the guide element (s) and / or the treatment zone or zones under the influence of gravity in free fall.

It can thereby be achieved that an additional conveying means for introducing or returning an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid is superfluous, which represents a structurally easy to implement variant and operational and cost-effective variant of the device.

In this case, for example, at least one UV irradiation device and / or a membrane filtration system can be flow-connected on the output side to an opening in a treatment zone, so that an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid can flow into the treatment zone. The opening in a treatment zone can be arranged, for example, at an upper end of the treatment zone, so that an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid can be fed at least partially to a liquid stream of the process liquid moved through a treatment zone before it acts on the food or the containers , On the other hand, it may also be expedient to arrange such an opening at a lower end of the treatment zone in order to avoid an undesired, for example thermal influence of an irradiated and / or filtered stream on the food or containers in the treatment zone.

A further advantageous embodiment of the device can be provided in that at least one treatment zone for flushing the outside of containers filled with food and sealed, which at least one treatment zone, based on a transport direction of the containers through the treatment zones, at the end of the treatment zone section is arranged and which is connected to the rinsing of the containers by supplying an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid with at least one dissipation element of a UV irradiation device and / or a derivative element of a membrane filtration system. This provides a treatment zone for the final cleaning of the outside of the containers by means of an irradiated and / or filtered stream of the process liquid, in which the outside of the containers can be rinsed by means of a process liquid having a very high purity and low germ content. With regard to the membrane filtration system (s) may also be an embodiment variant be advantageous in which in a discharge element of a membrane filtration plant, a storage tank is designed with overflow. This may result in a supply of process fluid be collected or provided, which can be used for various purposes.

For the purpose of cleaning a membrane filtration system, it may be expedient, for example, to arrange blocking means in the feed elements and the discharge elements for the fluidic separation of the at least one membrane filtration system from the rest of the device and in the feed tank and / or between the feed tank and the discharge element of the membrane filtration plant extending backwash at least one conveying means, which is designed to promote the collected in the storage tank filtrate of the process liquid in - compared with the flow direction over the filter membranes in the filtration operation - opposite direction through the at least one membrane filtration plant. As a result, in the course of the treatment operation of the device for treating the foodstuffs or containers, a membrane filtration system can be cleaned by means of the process liquid collected in the storage container with backwashing. For example, blockages in a membrane or the growth of pores in a membrane can be kept as far as possible without interrupting the treatment operation of the device. In connection with cleaning the filter membranes of a membrane filtration plant by backwashing, it may also be expedient to use a membrane filtration system To arrange UV irradiation device between a membrane filtration plant and a storage container. As a result, a UV irradiation of the process liquid collected in the storage container during a backwashing or. Cleaning process for a membrane filtration plant allows, and can be used to backwash the filter membranes, a backwash liquid with a particularly low germ content.

It may also be expedient to allocate at least one closable liquid waste line to the membrane filtration system for discharging the liquid waste arising during the cleaning by reversing the flow direction over the filter membranes of the membrane filtration system and at least one closable feed device for replacing the discharged liquid waste by fresh water To arrange process liquid. This makes it possible to remove the liquid waste directly from the device for the treatment of food or containers and to replace it with a corresponding amount of fresh process liquid. In addition, it may be expedient for a metering device to be arranged in a discharge element and / or in the backwash line of the at least one membrane filtration system, by means of which the process liquid or a process liquid collected in a feed tank both in the filtration operation and in the cleaning operation for the membrane filtration plant Chemicals can be added from one or more sources of chemicals. When arranging a metering device which is line-connected to the or the chemical source (s), chemicals such as chlorine, surfactants and other effective chemicals can be added to the membrane filtration system in the filtration operation as well as in the cleaning operation.

In addition to the arrangement of at least one UV irradiation device and / or a membrane filtration device, an embodiment of the device may be advantageous in which an adsorption device is arranged. Thus, unwanted, non-coagulated constituents can also be removed from the process fluid, which are not removable by a membrane filtration system. For example, carbon compounds can be removed from the process liquid by means of activated carbon in such an adder device. With regard to improved process reliability, it may be sensible for sensors for continuous monitoring of the degree of contamination, in particular by measuring the turbidity of the process fluid, to be arranged in guide elements and / or in treatment zones. Thus, the degree of contamination of the process fluid can be detected at least in sections and continuously monitored. The arrangement of such sensors is helpful, inter alia, for evaluating the efficiency of the UV irradiation device (s). By continuously monitoring the turbidity of the process fluid at different points or in different zones of the device for the treatment of food and / or containers, also sources of pollution can be localized, and if appropriate, targeted countermeasures can be initiated.

A further, advantageous embodiment can be formed by assigning at least one switch-over means to a supply element of a membrane filtration system, which is equipped with at least two different guide means containing the process liquid. is fluidically connected in such a manner that a formation of the stream to be filtered of the process liquid can be carried out selectively from one of the liquid streams or a plurality of liquid streams of the process liquid in the guide elements or from several liquid streams of the process liquid. As a result, an input-side switching of a membrane filtration system to different sources of the process fluid to form a stream to be filtered is made possible. For example, it is possible to react quickly and efficiently in a flexible manner to zone-wise fluctuations in the quality or degree of contamination of the process fluid, in particular fluctuations in the particle concentration.

Furthermore, an embodiment may be advantageous in which a feed element of a membrane filtration system is associated with at least one mixing means which is conductively connected to at least two different process elements containing the process liquid, such that formation of a stream of process liquid to be filtered optionally from one of the liquid streams or more Liquid flow of the process liquid can take place in the guide elements, or the formation of a stream to be filtered of the process liquid through the membrane filtration system by removing and mixing settable subsets can be made from several liquid streams of the process liquid. As a result, a simultaneous removal of partial amounts of process fluid from different guide elements and the formation of a stream of the process fluid to be filtered by mixing the withdrawn partial amounts of process fluid is made possible.

However, it can also be expedient to associate with a discharge element of a membrane filtration system at least one switching element which is conductively connected to at least one guide element containing the process liquid and / or at least one treatment zone and / or one UV irradiation device in such a way that the supply of a filtered stream the process fluid into the at least one guide element and / or the at least one treatment zone and / or the irradiation device can be fixed in a controlled manner. In this way, a filtered stream of the process liquid can be supplied as needed to one or more guide elements and / or one or more treatment zones and / or one or more UV irradiation devices. This may be expedient, for example, in sections targeted Adjust temperatures for the process liquid in the device for the treatment of food or containers.

But can also be an embodiment variant in which a derivation element of a membrane filtration system is associated with at least one distribution element which is fluidly connected to at least one process liquid-containing guide element and / or at least one treatment zone and / or a UV irradiation device such that a supply of a filtered stream of the process liquid into the at least one guide element and / or the at least one treatment zone and / or the at least one UV irradiation device can be defined, or definable quantities of the filtered stream of the process liquid into the at least one guide element and / or the at least one treatment zone and / or the at least one UV irradiation device can be supplied. Finally, the object of the invention is also achieved by the use of a membrane filtration system and a UV irradiation device for the continuous cleaning and sterilization of a process liquid in a device for treating foods or containers for holding food by means of the process liquid. By means of this measure, the process liquid in the device for treating foods or containers for holding foods can be continuously cleaned and sterilized in a particularly efficient manner.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

In each case, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a known device for the treatment of

Food and / or containers with treatment zones, in a highly simplified, schematic and not to scale representation; 2 is a R & I diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a device for treating food and / or containers, in a highly simplified representation; Fig. 3 shows a partial partial scheme of an embodiment of a device with

UV irradiation device and membrane filtration system, in a highly simplified representation;

Fig. 4 shows a partial partial scheme of an embodiment of a device with

UV irradiation device and membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified

Presentation;

5 shows a detail of a further sub-scheme of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified representation;

6 shows a detail of a further sub-scheme of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified representation;

7 shows a detail of a further sub-scheme of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified representation; FIG. 8 shows a detail of a further part of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified representation; FIG.

9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a membrane filtration system with a downstream UV irradiation device, schematically and in a greatly simplified representation; FIG. 10 shows a detail of a further part of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified representation; FIG.

11 shows a detail of a further sub-scheme of an embodiment of a device with a UV irradiation device and a membrane filtration system, in a greatly simplified representation.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or component names. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and these position information in a change in position mutatis mutandis to transfer to the new location.

1 shows an example of an arrangement of treatment zones of a device 1 for the treatment of food and / or for the treatment of containers 2 for holding food, in a schematic and greatly simplified manner of representation. In this case, the foodstuffs or the containers 2 are treated by means of a process liquid 3 in at least one treatment zone 4. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the foodstuffs to be treated are located in sealed containers 2, and are treated by means of the process liquid 3 in that the outside 6 of the containers 2 is flowed around by a liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3. The liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 through a treatment zone 4 is generated in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 by distributing the process liquid 3 at the top of a treatment zone 4 by means of distribution devices, such as spray nozzles 7, and the liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 the treatment zones 4 passes from top to bottom. A treatment zone 4 is supplied with a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 by means of structurally suitable guide elements 8, such as, for example, the spray nozzles 7 of line-connected pipelines. In an analogous manner, a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 after passing through a treatment zone 4 by means of further, associated to a lower portion of a treatment zone 4 Führungsele- 8, again removed from a treatment zone 4. The guide elements 8 provided for deriving a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 from a treatment zone 4 can be formed, for example, by collecting troughs 9 which collect the liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3 trickling through a treatment zone 4 at the lower end of the treatment zone 4. The process liquid 3 collected by means of the collecting troughs 8, 9 can then be removed from a treatment zone 4 by means of guide elements 8, or conduits 8, connected to the collecting troughs 8, 9, as is indicated schematically in FIG. The containers 2 can be transported through the treatment zones 4 by means of suitable transport means 10, such as conveyor belts or the like, for example in two planes from left to right, as in FIG. 1 by the arrows 26, which indicate a transport direction 26 for the containers 2 illustrate, is indicated. As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a treatment zone for treating the foodstuffs by means of a process fluid can, of course, also be embodied in other ways. For example, a treatment zone for the treatment of a liquid food may be formed as a heat exchanger in which the liquid food and the process liquid are separated from each other materially, as is customary for example for the pasteurization of milk. In the following, the description of the device 1 according to the invention is continued with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it being pointed out at this point, however, that the invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments specifically shown below, but also includes alternative embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the two can be used on the treatment zones 4 shown on the left in FIG. 1, for example for the successive heating of the containers 2 or in the containers located in the containers. As a further consequence, the treatment zone 4 shown in the middle in FIG. 1 can be used, for example, for pasteurizing the food, and the two treatment zones 4 shown in FIG. 1 on the right can be used for the sequential cooling of the food or containers. The corresponding treatment steps for heating, pasteurization and cooling can be achieved by the supply of a suitable temperature-controlled liquid sigkeitsstromes 5 of the process liquid 3 in the respective treatment zone 4 take place. It may be expedient that a liquid stream 5 is supplied to at least one treatment zone 4 for heating the food and / or containers at a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C.

For the purpose of supplying a liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 into the respective treatment zone 4, the treatment zones 4 can each be assigned conveying means 11, as can be seen from the flow chart shown in FIG. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the same reference numerals or component designations are used in FIG. 2 for the same parts as in the preceding FIG. 1, wherein only three treatment zones 4 are shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. The treatment zone 4 shown on the left in FIG. 2 can, for example, in turn be used for heating the containers or foodstuffs, while the treatment zone 4 shown in FIG. 2 in the middle for pasteurization and the treatment zones 4 on the right in FIG Cooling of the containers or food can be provided.

2, a heating means 12 for heating the process liquid 3, and a coolant 13 for cooling the process liquid 3. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the process liquid 3 is the heating means 12 supplied by means of a further conveyor 11 from a designed as a liquid tank 14 guide member 8 via designed as pipes or the like guide elements 8, or passed through the heating means 12. The heating of the process liquid 3 in the heating means 12 can take place in various ways, for example by heat transfer to the process liquid through a heating medium, for example saturated steam. In principle, any heat source can be used for heating the process liquid 3, it being expedient for the purpose of pasteurization of foods that the heating means 12 for heating the process liquid 3 to a temperature of at least 80 ° C is formed. The thus heated liquid stream 5 of the process liquid 3, after passing through the heating means 12, can be supplied to the treatment zones 4 via guide elements 8, for example pipelines. Alternatively or in addition to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, other methods for treating the food or containers are also conceivable. For example, a process liquid, in particular process water for the treatment of foods and / or containers can also be heated above the boiling point of the process water, ie to a temperature above 100 ° C., and fed to a treatment zone as superheated steam. This is useful, for example, for the purpose of sterilization. As a further example, however, immersion methods are also possible in which the containers containing a food are dipped into the process fluid. For cooling the process liquid 3, the process liquid 3 can be supplied to the coolant 13 as shown in FIG. 2, for example from a liquid tank 15. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coolant 13 is conductively connected to the liquid tank, for example a cold water tank 15, via guide elements 8 such that a liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 can be removed from the liquid tank 15 by means of a conveying means 11 and, after cooling, the Liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 is traceable back into the liquid tank 15. The coolant 13 can be embodied, for example, as a cooling tower or heat exchanger, in which the process liquid 3 is cooled by air flowing in the opposite direction or another cooling medium.

As can be seen further from FIG. 2, the guide elements 8 for holding or guiding the process liquid 3 or liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 in the device 1 are configured or arranged in such a way that the process liquid 3 at least partially recirculates into the treatment zones 4 can be returned. For a better illustration, the flow directions for the liquid flows 5 in FIG

Process liquid 3 for the treatment operation of the device 1 indicated by the arrows. To discharge a subset of the process liquid 3 lockable emptying devices 16 are provided and for supplying fresh process liquid 3 is at least one lockable, designed as a supply device 17, guide element 8 is arranged. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, flow control devices 18 are provided in the guide elements 8 arranged on the input side of the treatment zones 4, by means of which flow control devices 18 the liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 can be mixed in different temperature levels in a controlled manner. As a result, a specific adjustment of the temperature of the liquid streams 5 of the process liquid 3 can be carried out separately for each treatment zone 4. Instead of the illustrated flow control devices 18, three-way mixing valves or other suitable means for the controlled mixing or adjustment of the temperature of a liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 can be arranged.

Of course, the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 only one embodiment of a device 1 for the treatment of products or containers. For example, it is common in some embodiments for devices for the treatment of food and / or containers, a liquid stream after discharge from a Supply treatment zone directly to another treatment zone. This is expedient, for example, when a liquid stream of the process liquid derived from a treatment zone has a temperature level suitable for treating the food and / or containers in another treatment zone. Such alternative or complementary embodiments to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can be made as required by a person skilled in the relevant field, or are well known from the prior art, so that it is possible to dispense with further embodiments at this point , 3 shows a schematic of a device 1 for treating foodstuffs and / or containers, wherein at least one membrane filtration system 19 and at least one UV irradiation device 47 for cleaning and sterilizing the process liquid are provided in the device 1. In Fig. 3, the same reference numerals and component names are used for the same parts, as in the preceding Figs. 1 and 2. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in or to the preceding Figs.

The UV irradiation device 47 and membrane filtration system 19 illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3 are fluidically connected in line with the guide elements 8 and / or with the treatment zones 4 in such a way that at least a subset or the total amount of the treatment zones 4 present per unit time overall guided process liquid for forming at least one to be filtered and / or irradiated stream 20, 20 of the process liquid can be used, the current 20 formed or the streams 20, 20 formed are filtered by means of the at least one membrane filtration system 19 and / or irradiated by the at least one UV irradiation device 47, and a filtered and / or irradiated stream 46, 48 of the process liquid at least partially a guide element 8 and / or a treatment zone 4 can be returned. The formation of a stream to be filtered and / or irradiated by taking the entire amount of a circulating in one cycle over one or more treatment zone (s) process liquid can be useful, especially in small-sized devices for the treatment of food and / or containers. In principle, any liquid stream 5 of the process liquid can be used to form a stream 20 of the process liquid to be filtered and / or irradiated, or partial quantities of the process liquid can be taken from any liquid stream 5 to form a stream 20. Likewise, the return of a filtered and / or irradiated stream 46, 48 of the process liquid can in principle be carried out in any desired guide element 8 for the process liquid and / or in any treatment zone 4. However, in certain arrangement variants, the integration of one or more membrane filtration system (s) 19 or UV irradiation devices (s) 47 results in advantages which will be explained in more detail below on the basis of further embodiments illustrated by means of figures.

3, a formed stream 20 is fed to a membrane filtration plant 19 (on the left in FIG. 3), and a formed stream 20 is fed to a UV irradiation device 47 (on the right in FIG. 3). The membrane filtration system 19 shown by way of example in FIG. 3 is arranged in a bypass manner between a guide element 8 guiding a liquid flow 5 and a treatment zone 4. The exemplified UV irradiation device 47 is arranged in a bypass between two guide elements 8. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a filtered stream 46 is fed to a treatment zone 4, and an irradiated stream 48 is fed to a guide element 8. Of course, it would also be possible to supply a filtered stream to a guide element 8 and an irradiated stream 48 to a treatment zone 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a subset of a liquid stream 5 of the process liquid is removed by means of suitable distribution means 21 per unit of time for forming a stream 20 to be filtered or irradiated. For controlled or controllable removal of a subset of the liquid stream 5 to form a stream 20 may be arranged in a supply element 22 to a membrane filtration system 19 or to a UV irradiation device 47, for example, designed as a flow control device 18 distribution means 21, as shown on the left Side is shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, for example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 3, a three-way distribution valve 23 may also be used as the distribution means 21. In this case, a further distribution means 21 cooperating with a valve 18, 23 may also be configured in the form of a conveying means 11 or a pump, in order to allow a controlled removal of a subset of the process fluid from the guide element 8. However, preference is given to disposition of an additional conveying means 11 in a feed element 22 of a UV irradiation device 47 or a membrane filtration system 19 and, as shown on the left side in FIG. 3, the removal of a subset of the process liquid by means of only one in a guide element 8 of the device 1 arranged conveying means 11 accomplished.

The treatment zone 4 shown in FIG. 3 on the left side can for example be designed as a heating zone for the foodstuffs or containers, the treatment zone 4 shown in FIG. 3 for the pasteurization of the food and the treatment zone shown on the right in FIG 4 serve to cool the food or containers. Accordingly, in the course of the treatment operation of the apparatus 1, a liquid stream 5 of high temperature would be supplied to the process chamber 3 for the centrally arranged pasteurization zone 4, whereas liquid streams 5 of comparatively low temperature would be supplied to the treatment zones 4 for heating or cooling the food or containers ,

As indicated in FIG. 3, to protect a membrane filtration system 19, a liquid stream 5 having a relatively low temperature can be used to form a stream 20 of the process liquid to be filtered. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, therefore, supply elements 22 of the illustrated membrane filtration system 19 are connected to the heating treatment zone, that is to say to the left in FIG. 3. treatment zone 4, leading guide elements 8 flow-related line connected. These guide elements 8 include a fluid stream 5 with a relatively low temperature of the process fluid. Preferably, the at least one membrane filtration system 19 is fluidically connected in line with guide elements 8 of the device 1 to form a stream 20 of process fluid to be filtered, such that process fluid having a temperature between 40 ° C. and 50 ° C. is formed to form at least one stream 20 to be filtered is used. As has been shown, the membrane filtration or the filtration performance of a stream 20 of a process liquid in this temperature range is particularly efficient.

As further shown in FIG. 3, it may additionally be provided in this case that a supply element 22 of a membrane filtration system 19 is conductively connected to a temperature-controlled flow container 50 for the process fluid. Such a flow container 50 may be formed, for example, as a buffer memory with integrated heat exchanger or as a buffer memory with electric heating, etc. In this way, a stream 20 can be formed by removing the process liquid from the temperature-controlled flow container 50 for the process liquid.

As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an entire liquid stream 5 of the process liquid can be used to form a stream 20 of the process liquid, as shown schematically in FIG. 4. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a membrane filtration system 19 and a UV irradiation device 47 are arranged fluidically in series in a guide element 8 leading to a treatment zone 4. Therefore, the entire guided through the guide member 8 liquid flow 5 of the process liquid 3 is passed through the illustrated membrane filtration unit 19 and the illustrated UV irradiation device 47 and fed in the example shown in Fig. 4 after membrane filtration and UV irradiation of a treatment zone 4. As shown in Fig. 4, in such an arrangement due to the pressure loss through the membrane filtration system 19 and the UV irradiation device 47 may be necessary to arrange an additional conveyor 11 for introducing the process liquid 3 into a treatment zone 4 after membrane filtration and UV irradiation. A suitable for carrying out the method or for use in the device UV irradiation device can basically be configured in various ways. As is well known in this case, it is assumed that UV irradiation devices with radiation sources which emit or comprise UV light having a wavelength of less than or equal to 254 nm are particularly effective. In particular, molecular bonds in the DNA of microorganisms are broken up by this so-called UVC light, as a result of which the microorganisms can be killed or at least converted into a harmless, non-reproducible state. As UVC radiation source (s), mercury vapor lamps or amalgam lamps are frequently used.

UV irradiation devices are preferably arranged in the device, which are provided for flowing through the liquid to be irradiated or to be sterilized, that is to say as flow-through devices. Such UV irradiation devices may comprise, for example, a chemical-resistant sheath, for example of stainless steel, within which the UVC radiation source (s) are arranged. The

In this case, the sheathing may comprise at least one feed element and at least one discharge element, so that the liquid to be sterilized can be conducted and irradiated through the interior of the UV irradiation device or the interior defined by the sheathing. The radiation source (s), for example medium pressure mercury vapor lamp (s), can or can be arranged, for example, in a quartz glass sleeve in the interior of the UV irradiation device defined by the sheathing, so that the liquid to be irradiated flows around the radiation source (s). Alternatively, it can also be provided that the liquid to be irradiated in the interior of a UV irradiation device is guided in one or more UV-transparent guides and is irradiated from the outside by the radiation source (s). Such UV irradiation devices are known in principle from the prior art.

It is important here that the irradiation power of a UV irradiation device is selected such that an effective, germ-reducing dose of the UVC radiation can be introduced into the liquid to be irradiated. The effectiveness of a UV irradiation device with respect to germ-reducing effect is directly dependent on the introduced UV dose. The UV light dose is the product of UV light intensity and irradiation time. Thus, the UV dose of a UV irradiation device is among other things Depending on factors such as flow rate or speed of the liquid through the UV irradiation device and UV light transmission, as well as turbidity of the liquid. With regard to the long-term effect, however, the formation of deposits at the radiation source as well as the decreasing radiation intensity with increasing lamp age must also be taken into account. Therefore, it may be expedient for the UV irradiation device to comprise monitoring devices which monitor the radiation power or intensity of the radiation source (s) so that a radiation source can be replaced when the radiation intensity is no longer sufficient. With regard to the penetration depth of the UVC radiation into the liquid to be irradiated, elements may be provided in the interior of the sheath of a UV irradiation device, for example, by means of which a current conducted through the UV irradiation device can be manipulated. For example, a division of a current conducted by a UV irradiation device may be expedient, or else a specific guidance by deflecting elements in the interior of the jacket of the UV irradiation device. Furthermore, reflection elements may be expedient for a better distribution of the UV radiation in the liquid flowing through.

5 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 for the treatment of food and / or containers, again with the same parts

Reference numerals or component designations, as used in the preceding Figs. 1 to 4. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 4 or reference. In FIG. 5, a UV irradiation device 47 is arranged fluidically immediately following a membrane filtration system 19. In this way, a filtered stream 46 immediately following the filtration process of a UV irradiation device 47 are supplied and irradiated. A filtered and irradiated stream 49 of the process liquid can subsequently be fed back to at least one guide element 8 containing and / or guiding the process liquid and / or at least one treatment zone 4. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, a filtered and irradiated stream 49 is fed to a treatment zone 4. The number and irradiation power of the UV irradiation device (s) 47 and the number and filtration capacity of the membrane filtration system (s) 19 in the device 1 are preferably set or configured in such a way that they comprise at least one process fluid containing and / or leading in the continuous treatment operation Guide element 8 per unit time total for the formation of at least one stream 20 of the process liquid 3 used process liquid amount can be selected so that by the filtration and UV irradiation of the stream 20 or the streams 20, a removal rate for microorganisms is greater than the growth rate of these microorganisms in the process liquid 3 in the same time interval or the same time unit.

Preferably, a supply of an irradiated and / or filtered stream 46, 48, 49 of the process liquid into a treatment zone 4 and / or a guide element 8 without conveying means 11 is accomplished. For this purpose, it may be expedient that derivation elements 24 of a UV irradiation device 47 and / or a membrane filtration system 19 are conductively connected to a treatment zone 4 such that at least one filtered and / or irradiated stream 46, 48, 49 of the process liquid of the treatment zone 4 below Influence of gravity, can be fed in free fall. Such an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6 by way of example for the supply of a filtered and irradiated stream 49 into a treatment zone 4. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals or component designations are again used for the same parts as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 5 in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions.

6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a line connection of a UV irradiation device 47 with a treatment zone 4, in which a discharge element 24 leading from the UV irradiation device 47 to the treatment zone 4 is arranged in such a way that a continuous gradient from top to bottom in FIG Direction of the UV irradiation device 47 is formed to the treatment zone 4, whereby the guided and irradiated by the UV irradiation device 47 to the treatment zone 4, irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 can flow under the action of gravity. In order to introduce the irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 into the treatment zone 4, one or more openings (or openings) 25 can easily be formed in the treatment zone 4 Treatment zone 4 configured, or be conductively connected to the discharge elements 24, so that the irradiated and filtered stream 49 can flow into the treatment zone 4.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, instead of the fluidically successive combination of a membrane filtration system 19 and a UV irradiation device 47, only one membrane filtration system or only one UV irradiation device may be provided at this point in device 1. Therefore, it is also possible for an only directly filtered stream or a stream only directly irradiated to be fed to at least one treatment zone 4. For this purpose, discharge elements of a membrane filtration system or discharge elements of a UV irradiation device would be line-connected with at least one treatment zone.

In Fig. 7 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the device 1 is shown in fragmentary detail, wherein again for the same parts the same reference numerals or component designations, as in the preceding Figs. 1 to 6 are used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 6 or reference. FIG. 7 shows an arrangement for feeding an irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 into a guide element 8 for the process liquid 3, for example a liquid tank 15. The discharge elements 24 in turn extend in a continuous gradient from top to bottom in the direction of the UV irradiation device 47 to the liquid tank 8, 15, so that the irradiated and filtered stream 49 through the opening (s) 25 in the liquid tank 8, 15 can flow.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, instead of the fluidically successive combination of a membrane filtration system 19 and a UV irradiation device 47, only one membrane filtration system or only one UV irradiation device may again be provided in the device 1. In this way, it is again possible for an only directly filtered current or a current that is only directly irradiated to be supplied to at least one guide element 8. For this purpose, derivation elements of a membrane filtration system or derivation elements would be one UV irradiation device with a guide element fluidically conduction connected.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of another embodiment of the device 1, which may be independent of itself, wherein the same reference numerals or component designations are again used for the same parts as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 7. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 7 or reference. In Fig. 8, a treatment zone 4 for flushing the outside 6 of filled with the food and sealed containers 2 is configured, which at least one treatment zone 4 based on the

Transport direction 26 of the containers 2 through the treatment zones 4, arranged at the end of the treatment zone section. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8, this treatment zone 4 is supplied with an irradiated and filtered stream 49 of the process liquid 3 for the purpose of cleaning the containers 2. For this purpose, the treatment zone 4 is again fluidically connected to a discharge element 24 of a UV irradiation device 47. Furthermore, the treatment zone 4 may for example be associated with a fan 27 for drying the containers 2 by means of drying air, or another drying device may be provided. Also to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 may alternatively be provided at this point again in the device 1 instead of the flow-sequential combination of a membrane filtration system 19 and a UV irradiation device 47, only a membrane filtration system or only a UV irradiation device. In this way, it is possible that an only directly filtered stream or only directly irradiated stream of the treatment zone 4 is supplied to rinse the containers 2. For this purpose, derivation elements of a membrane filtration system or derivation elements of a UV irradiation device with at least one treatment zone and / or a guide element would be flow-connected. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of an embodiment of a membrane filtration system 19. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is again made to the detailed description in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 8, or reference is made, or the same reference numerals or component parts are used for the same parts. drawings, as used in the preceding Figs. 1 to 8. It should be noted at this point that the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is merely exemplary for a membrane filtration plant, and in principle also embodiments of a membrane filtration plant designed differently for the process or the device for treating foodstuffs or containers may be suitable.

In the filtration operation, as already described in detail, the membrane filtration system 19 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 9 is supplied with an educated stream 20 of the process liquid 3 through the supply elements 22, wherein a subset supplied per unit time can be fixed, for example, by means of a flow control device 18. The stream 20 of the process liquid 3 to be filtered can be introduced, for example, via a three-way valve 29 into a pressure vessel 30, in which filter membrane modules 31 are arranged for filtration of the process liquid 3. The filter membrane modules 31 shown in FIG. 9 may comprise membranes of various types. The membranes may be homogeneous or inhomogeneous in their structure and have different symmetries in cross-section. In particular, porous membranes in capillary or hollow fiber design and / or flat membranes can be used. The membranes can be constructed of various materials. Examples of suitable membrane materials are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethersulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), polyurethane or cellulose acetate. Preference is given to using membrane materials in hydrophilic form. Alternatively and / or in addition to plastic membranes, ceramic materials may also be used to form the membranes of the filter membrane modules 31. In particular, chlorine-resistant membrane materials are suitable which are resistant to a chlorine load of more than 200,000 ppm * h, and preferably more than 2,000,000 ppm * h.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 shows an operation of the device 1 or the membrane filtration system (s) 19 in overpressure operation. Alternatively or additionally, negative-pressure zones may also be formed in the device 1 at least in sections, in particular a vacuum operation of a membrane filtration system 19 is conceivable. In this case, suction devices (not shown), for example, may be arranged in the discharge elements 24, by means of which a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 is formed from a filter. termembranmodul 31 can be deducted. Therefore, the filter membranes of the filter membrane modules 31 are preferably designed resistant to overpressure and underpressure and suitable for transmembrane pressures or pressure differences of at least 1,000 mbar, without causing permanent blocking of the membrane during continuous operation of the membrane filtration system 19. Depending on requirements, it is also possible to use membranes which are suitable for pressures of, for example, 2,000 mbar and up to 5,000 mbar via the respective membrane. In filtration operation, the transmembrane pressure difference is preferably less than 5 bar, in particular less than 2 bar, and particularly preferably 1 bar or less. Porous membranes are preferably used, wherein the effective pore diameter of a respective membrane can be in a range between 0.01 m and 1 m, in particular membranes with effective pore diameters between 0.05 m and 0.5 m for the filter membrane modules 31 Membrane filtration system (s) 19 suitable.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a so-called outside-in operation of the membrane filtration system 19 is shown, in which the stream 20 of the process liquid 3 to be filtered enters the filter membrane modules 31 from the outside during filtration operation, filtered through the filter membranes of the filter membrane modules 31, and a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 is discharged by means of discharge elements 24 from the interior of the filter membrane modules 31. As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a so-called inside-out operation is possible, in which a stream 20 of the process liquid 3 to be filtered is conducted into the interior of the filter membrane modules 31 in filtration operation and a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 on the outside the filter membrane modules 31 emerges. Furthermore, with regard to the flow of the stream 20 of the process liquid 3 in a filter membrane modules 31, both a so-called ^' cross-flow ^' operation and a cyclic 'dead-end' shading are possible. Finally, submerged membrane configurations in which a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 is sucked off by means of negative pressure are also possible. In particular, in the case of an embodiment of a membrane filtration system 19 in a submerged configuration, a cyclical or a-cyclic air bubble purge or air turbulence may also be provided or carried out to counteract the formation of the cover layer on the membrane surfaces.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 after passing through the process liquid 3 through the filter membrane modules 31 and made Filtration via the discharge elements 24 again discharged from the membrane filtration system 19. It may be expedient, as shown in FIG. 9, to arrange a feed tank 32 with overflow in the discharge line 24, which is configured as a function of its dimensions for the temporary storage of a certain volume of the filtered process liquid 3 or a filtrate 33. In particular, this filtrate 33 of the process fluid 3 can be used for cleaning by backwashing, reversing the flow direction via the filter membrane modules 31.

In order to carry out a cleaning operation for the filter membrane modules 31, blocking elements 34 are arranged in the supply lines 22 and the discharge elements 24, which allow a fluidic separation of the membrane filtration system 19 from the further structural elements of the device for treating foods or containers. Furthermore, at least one conveying means 11 is arranged in the feed tank 32 and / or a backwash line 35 extending between the feed tank 32 and the discharge element 24 of the membrane filtration plant 19. Thus, by corresponding switching of the three-way valves 29, the flow direction in the membrane filtration system 19 can be reversed so that the process liquid 3 flows in the direction opposite to the filtration operation 36 via the filter membrane modules 31. For discharging the liquid waste arising in the course of the cleaning by reversing the flow direction over the filter membranes of the membrane filter system 19, the membrane filtration system 19 is assigned at least one closable liquid waste line 37. An amount of fresh process liquid 3 corresponding to the amount of liquid waste discharged can be effected, for example, by the fresh process liquid supply device 3 shown in FIG. As further illustrated in FIG. 9, a metering device 38 can be disposed in a discharge element 24 or in the backwash line 35 of a membrane filtration system 19, by means of which the process liquid 3 or the filtrate 33 of the process liquid 3 both in the filtration mode and in the cleaning mode For the membrane filtration system 19 chemicals from one or more sources of chemicals 39 can be added. A mixing of chemicals can take place in the filtration operation via the three-way valve 29 arranged in the discharge line 24. In the discharge line 24 of the membrane filtration system 19 may further be arranged an adsorption device 40, by means of which a removal or separation of in a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 dissolved or suspended or dispersed substances is possible.

In connection with a cleaning of the filter membranes of a membrane filtration system 19 by backwashing, it may also be expedient to arrange a UV irradiation device 47 between a membrane filtration system 19 and a storage container 32, as also exemplified in FIG. As a result, UV irradiation of the process liquid 3 collected in the storage tank 32 during a backwashing or cleaning process for a membrane filtration plant 19 is made possible, and a backwashing liquid having a particularly low germ content can be used for backwashing the filter membranes.

In Fig. 10 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the device 1 is shown in fragmentary form, again chen for the same parts Bezugszei- chen or component designations, as in the previous Fig. 1 to 9 are used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 9 or reference. In Fig. 10 sensors 41 are shown, which are designed for continuous monitoring of the degree of contamination, in particular by measuring the turbidity of the process liquid. Sensors 41 for measuring or monitoring the turbidity of the process fluid can be arranged, for example, in the guide elements 8 and / or in the treatment zones 4 of the device 1.

The measured values of the sensors 41 can be used to assign a UV irradiation device 47 and / or a membrane filtration system 19 by means of switching elements and line elements to different treatment zones 4 or guide elements 8 for liquid flows of the process liquid, as shown by way of example in FIG. Of course, switching between guide elements 8 and / or treatment zones 4 can also take place as a function of measurements on the basis of samples taken from the device 1.

For the purpose of switching a membrane filtration system 19 or UV irradiation device 47 to different guide elements 8, the supply line 22, a UV irradiation device 47 and / or a membrane filtration system 19 may be associated with two switching means 42, 42, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The two switching means 42, 42 respectively shown are fluidically connected to two different, the process liquid-containing, guide elements 8, 8 such that a formation of a stream 20 of the process liquid optionally from one of the two liquid streams 5, 5 of the process liquid in the guide elements 8, 8, or from both liquid streams 5, 5 can take place. For this purpose, the respective two switching means 42, 42 may be designed as so-called open / close valves, so that each of the two switching means 42, 42 opens the supply of process fluid into a UV irradiation device 47 and / or a membrane filtration system 19 in terms of flow or can lock. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the membrane filtration system 19 shown on the left-hand side is additionally followed directly by a UV irradiation device 47 in terms of flow technology. As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10, of course, one switching means 42 each designed as a 3-way switching means (not shown in FIG. 10) would also be provided for switching the supply elements 22 of the UV irradiation device 47 shown on the right Membrane filtration system 19 shown on the left of one of the two guide elements 8 suitable. The switching means 42 embodied as 3-way switching means 42 would in turn be assigned on the one hand to the supply elements 22 of the UV irradiation device 47 or those of the membrane filtration system 19, and on the other hand to two different guide elements 8, 8.

In FIG. 10 and in the following, the presentation and description by means of two-way Umschalzmittel is maintained for better understanding, it being noted at this point that the arrangement of a input or output side ver switchable UV irradiation device 47 and / or membrane filtration system 19 can be formed in numerous ways and is not limited to the embodiments shown in Fig. 10 and shown below.

Instead of switching means 42, a feed element 22 of a UV irradiation device 47 and / or a membrane filtration system 19 can also be assigned two mixing means 43, 43, as indicated in FIG. The mixing means 43, 43 are like in turn with two different, the process liquid-containing, guide elements 8, 8 fluidly connected in such a line that a formation of the flow 20 of the process liquid in turn, either from one of the two liquid streams 5, 5 of the process liquid, or from both liquid streams 5, 5 in the guide elements , 8, or can be made by removing and mixing determinable subsets of the two liquid streams 5, 5 of the process liquid. For this purpose, the mixing means 43, 43 may for example be designed as flow control valves.

Of course, more than two switching means 42 and / or mixing means 43 can be assigned to a UV irradiation device 47 and / or a membrane filtration system 19, which accordingly can be line-connected to more than two guide elements 8. The measured values of the turbidity measuring sensors 41 can be used, for example, to supply a process liquid with a relatively low turbidity directly to a UV irradiation device 47. On the other hand, based on the turbidity monitoring, a relatively heavily polluted or turbid process liquid can also be supplied to a membrane filtration plant 19.

In Fig. 11 a further and possibly independent embodiment of the device 1 is shown in fragmentary form, in turn, for the same parts Chen same reference or component names, as used in the preceding Fig. 1 to 10. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 10 or reference. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, a diverter 24 of a membrane filtration system 19 is assigned three switching elements 44, 44. A switching element 44 is fluidly connected to a line formed as a liquid tank 15 guide member 8 fluidly. Another switching element 44 is fluidically connected to a treatment zone 4. A third switching element 44 is conductively connected to a UV irradiation device 47. By means of this exemplary embodiment of the device 1, a feed of a filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 can optionally be introduced into the guide element 8 formed as a liquid tank 15 or the treatment zone 4 or the UV irradiation device 47, or into the guide element 8 the treatment zone 4, as well as in the UV irradiation device 47. For this purpose, the three switching elements 44, 44, 44 in Fig. 11 in turn be designed as so-called "open / close" valves, so that each of the three switching elements 44, 44, 44, the discharge of a filtered stream 46 from the membrane filtration system 19 in the treatment zone 4 and / or in the at least one guide element 8 and / or the at least one UV irradiation device 47 can open or block fluidically.

Instead of switching elements 44, a discharge element 24 of a membrane filtration system 19 can also be assigned three distributor elements 45, 45, 45, as indicated in FIG. 11. In turn, a distributor element 45 is fluidically connected in line with a guide element 8 designed as a liquid tank 15. A second distributor element 45 is fluidically connected to a treatment zone 4. A third distributor element 45 is finally conductively connected to the illustrated UV irradiation device 47. As a result of this embodiment, the filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 can again be fed optionally into the guide element 8 formed as a liquid tank 15 and / or the treatment zone 4 and / or the UV irradiation device 47. Alternatively, definable subsets of the filtered stream 46 of the process liquid 3 can be supplied to the liquid tank 15 and / or the treatment zone 4 and / or the UV irradiation device 47, respectively. For this purpose, the distributor elements 45, 45, 45 can again be designed as flow control valves, for example. Again, more than three switching elements 44 and / or distributor elements 45 can be assigned to a membrane filtration system 19, which accordingly can be line-connected to a plurality of guide elements 8 and / or a plurality of treatment zones 4 and / or a plurality of UV irradiation devices 47. The UV irradiation device 47 shown in FIG. 11 is connected on the output side via switching elements 44 and / or distributor elements 45 with at least one treatment zone 4 and / or with at least one guide element 8, 15 to a filtered and irradiated stream 49 of the treatment zone 4 and / or to be able to supply the guide element 8.

The exemplary embodiments show possible variants of the method and / or the device for the treatment of foods and / or containers, wherein it should be noted at this point that the invention does not apply to the specifically illustrated embodiments of the invention. The same is restricted, but rather also various combinations of the individual variants are possible with each other and this possibility of variation due to the doctrine of technical action by objective invention in the skill of those working in this technical field.

Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions. The task underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.

All statements on value ranges in the description of the present description should be understood to include any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the indication 1 to 10 should be understood to include all partial areas, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i. e. all sub-areas begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7 or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10. Above all, the individual embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 can form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The relevant objects and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that for a better understanding of the structure of the device for the treatment of foods and / or containers, these or their components have been shown partly unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device 31 filter membrane module

2 container 32 storage container

J _^ process liquid 33 filtrate

4 treatment zone 34 blocking agent

5 liquid flow 35 backwash line

6 outside 36 direction

7 Spray nozzle 37 Liquid waste line

8 guide element 38 metering device

9 sump 39 source of chemicals

10 transport 40 adsorption

11 conveyor 41 sensor

12 heating means 42 switching means

13 Coolant 43 Mixing agent

14 liquid tank 44 switching element

15 liquid tank 45 distributor element

16 emptying device 46 electricity

17 Infeed 47 UV irradiation facility

18 Flow regulation 48 Electricity

19 Membrane Filtration System 49 Electricity

20 power 50 flow tanks

21 distribution means

22 supply element

23 three-way distribution 1 erventi 1

24 derivation element

25 opening

26 transport direction

27 blowers

28 inside

29 three-way valve

30 pressure vessels

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for treating food and / or containers (2) for receiving food by means of a process liquid (3) in at least one treatment zone (4), wherein the food and / or the containers (2) in a treatment zone (4 ) and / or are conveyed through a treatment zone (4), and wherein the treatment zone (4) or the treatment zones (4) each have at least one liquid flow (5) of the process liquid (3) for acting on the food and / or the containers ( 2) is supplied and the process liquid (3) after treatment of the food and / or the containers (2) from the or the treatment zone (s) (4) is discharged again, and wherein the process liquid (3) for the treatment of food and For the purpose of reuse in the method, the container (2) is at least partially recirculated to the treatment zone (4) or into the treatment zones (4), characterized in that s from the process unit (3) per unit time, at least a subset or the total amount of the process liquid (3) is used to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid (3) per unit time; at least one formed stream (20) of the process liquid (3) is filtered by means of at least one membrane filtration system (19) and / or irradiated by at least one UV irradiation device (47), an irradiated stream and / or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process fluid (3) is led back into at least one guide element (8) containing and / or guiding the process fluid and / or into at least one treatment zone (4).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the food to be treated before the treatment in containers (2) are filled, the containers (2) are closed, a respective liquid flow (5) of the process liquid (3) before being fed into a treatment zone (4) is tempered, and the treatment of food in a treatment zone (4) by heat transfer by means of a tempered process liquid (3) is performed by the process liquid (3) flows around an outer side (6) of the containers (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temperatures of the respective liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) in a controlled manner and

Prior to feeding into a treatment zone (4) are set separately for each treatment zone (4), and the food in at least one treatment zone (4) are pasteurized.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the to be treated

Foods are successively heated in at least one treatment zone (4), in at least one treatment zone (4) are pasteurized and cooled in at least one treatment zone (4).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that a liquid flow

(5) the process liquid (3) at least one treatment zone (4) for heating the food and / or containers (2) at a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C is supplied.

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one filtered stream (46) of the process liquid (3) immediately following a filtration process of a UV irradiation device (47) is supplied and irradiated, and a filtered and irradiated stream (49) the process liquid (3) at least one of the process fluid containing and / or leading guide element (8) and / or at least one treatment zone (4) is supplied again.

7. The method according to one or more of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that for forming at least one stream to be filtered (20) of the process liquid speed, process liquid (3) with a temperature between 40 ° C and 50 ° C is used.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one stream (20) by removal of the process liquid (3) from a temperature-controlled flow container (50) for the process liquid (3) is formed.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the continuous treatment operation from at least one process liquid containing and / or leading guide element (8) per unit of time used to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid (3) Process liquid quantity is selected so that by the irradiation and / or filtration of the stream (20) or the streams (20) a removal rate for microorganisms is greater, which is greater than the growth rate of the microorganisms in the process liquid (3) in the same time unit ,

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an irradiated and / or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid (3) at least approximately ambient pressure in free gradient in at least one process liquid containing and / or leading guide element (8) and / or in at least one treatment zone (4) is returned.

11. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an irradiated and / or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid (3) at least partially a in the process for the treatment of food and / or containers ( 2) for receiving the food arranged at the end of the process treatment zone (4) for flushing the outside (6) of food-filled and sealed containers (2) is supplied.

12. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the degree of contamination of the process liquid (3) in particular by measuring the turbidity of the process liquid by means of guide elements (8) and / or in treatment zones (4) arranged sensors (41) continuously monitors becomes.

13. The method according to one or more of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that a stream (20) of the process liquid (3) depends on demand from different, the process liquid-containing and / or leading guide elements (8) is formed det, by means of at least one Membrane filtration system (19) is filtered, and a filtered stream (46) after the membrane filtration at least one process liquid containing and / or leading guide element (8) and / or at least one treatment zone (4) and / or at least one UV irradiation device (47) is supplied.

14. Device (1) for the treatment of foods and / or for the treatment of containers (2) for holding foods by means of a process fluid (3), comprising at least one treatment zone (4) for treating the food and / or the containers ( 2), transport means (10) for transporting the food and / or containers (2) through the treatment zone (s) (4), as well as the process fluid-containing and / or leading guide elements (8) for supplying liquid streams (5) Process fluid (3) in a treatment zone (4) and guide elements (8) for discharging liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) from the or the treatment zone (s) (4), further guide elements (8) for containment and / or leadership the process liquid (3) in the device (1) and at least one conveying means (11) for conveying liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) in the guide elements (8), wherein the guide Selemente (8) are configured and arranged such that the process liquid (3) at least partially in the circle again in the treatment zone (4) or in the treatment zones (4) can be performed, characterized in that the device (1) at least one UV Irradiation device (47) and at least one membrane filtration system (19), wherein the at least one UV irradiation device (47) and the at least one membrane filtration system (19) with the guide elements (8) and / or with the treatment zones (4) fluidly connected line, that at least a subset or the total amount of per unit time through all existing treatment zones (4) guided process liquid (3) used to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid, the formed stream (20) or the generated currents ( 20) by means of the at least one Membranfilt- rationsanlage (19) filtered and / or irradiated by the at least one UV irradiation device (47), and a filtered and / or irradiated stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid at least one guide element (8 ) and / or at least one treatment zone (4) can be supplied.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that they at least one

Heating means (12) for heating the process liquid (3) and at least one coolant (13) for cooling the process liquid (3).

16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, characterized in that at least one treatment zone (4) for application of the process liquid (3) on an outer side (6) of sealed containers (2) is configured, wherein the process liquid (3) the outside ( 6) flows around the sealed containers (2).

17. The device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that successively along a transport direction (26) of the food or containers (2) at least one treatment zone (4) for heating the food and / or containers (2), at least one treatment zone (4) for pasteurizing the food, and at least one treatment zone (4) for cooling the food and / or containers (2) are provided.

18. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that at least one UV irradiation device (47) is arranged fluidically immediately following a membrane filtration system (19), so that a filtered stream (46) of the process liquid immediately after filtration can be irradiated by the UV irradiation device (47).

19. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that a feed element (22) of a membrane filtration system (19) with a temperature-controlled flow container (50) for the process fluid (3) is conductively connected.

20. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the number and irradiation power of the UV irradiation device (s) (47) and the number and the filtration capacity of the membrane filtration system (s) (19) are set such that in the continuous treatment operation of at least one of the process liquid containing and / or leading guide element (8) per unit of time used to form at least one stream (20) of the process liquid process liquid quantity can be selected so that by the filtration and irradiation of the stream (20) or the streams (20) a removal rate for microorganisms is achievable, which is greater than the growth rate of the microorganisms in the process liquid in the same time unit.

21. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that for returning an irradiated and / or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid discharge elements (24) of at least one UV irradiation device (47) and / / or at least one membrane filtration system (19) with at least one guide element (8) and / or at least one treatment zone (4) are conductively connected such that an irradiated and / or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid or the guide element (s ) (8) and / or the treatment zone (s) (4) can be supplied under gravity by free fall.

22. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that at least one treatment zone (4) for flushing the outside (6) of food-filled and sealed containers (2) is configured, which with respect to a transport direction (26 ) of the containers (2) through the treatment zones (4) is arranged at the end of the treatment zone section and which treatment zone (4) for rinsing the containers by supplying an irradiated and / or filtered stream (46, 48, 49) of the process liquid with at least a derivation element (24) of a UV irradiation device (47) and / or a discharge element (24) of a membrane filtration system (19) is conductively connected.

23. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that in guide elements (8) and / or in treatment zones (4) sensors (41) for continuously monitoring the degree of contamination of the process liquid (3), in particular by measuring the turbidity the process liquid (3) are arranged.

24. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that a feed element (22) of a membrane filtration system (19) at least one switching means (42) is assigned, which with at least two different, the process liquid-containing, guide elements (8). is fluidically connected in such a manner that a formation of the stream (20) of the process liquid to be filtered depends on demand from one of the liquid streams (5) or several liquid streams (5) of the process liquid (3) in the guide elements (8), or of several liquid streams ( 5) can take place.

25. The device according to one or more of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that a feed element (22) of a membrane filtration system (19) is associated with at least one mixing means (43), which with at least two different process fluid-containing guide elements (8) fluidly such is conductively connected that a formation of the current to be filtered (20) of the process liquid can optionally be made of one of the liquid streams (5) or more liquid streams (5) of the process liquid in the guide elements (8) or the formation of a current to be filtered (20 ) of the process fluid through the membrane filtration system (19) by removing and mixing settable subsets of several liquid streams (5) of the process liquid can be done.

26. Use of a membrane filtration system (19) and a UV irradiation device (47) for the continuous cleaning and sterilization of a process liquid (3) in a device (1) for pasteurizing foods or foodstuffs in containers (2).