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Title: Condensation induced water hammer driven sterilization

Abstract

A method and apparatus (10) for treating a fluid or materials therein with acoustic energy has a vessel (14) for receiving the fluid with inner walls shaped to focus acoustic energy to a target zone within the vessel. One or more nozzles (26) are directed into the vessel (14) for injecting a condensable vapor, such as steam, into the vessel (14). The system may include a steam source (18) for providing steam as the condensable vapor from an industrial waste heat source. Steam drums (88) are disposed between the steam source (18) and nozzles (26) to equalize and distribute the vapor pressure. A cooling source (30) provides a secondary fluid for maintaining the liquid in the vessel (14) in subcooled conditions. A heating jacket (32) surrounds the vessel (14) to heat the walls of the vessel (14) and prevent biological growth thereon. A pressurizer (33) may operate the system at elevated pressures.

Inventors:
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1174838
Patent Number(s):
6733727
Application Number:
09/719,890
Assignee:
Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A23 - FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS A23L - FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A23B - A23J
A - HUMAN NECESSITIES A61 - MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE A61L - METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-94ID13223
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Citation Formats

Kullberg, Craig M. Condensation induced water hammer driven sterilization. United States: N. p., 2004. Web.
Kullberg, Craig M. Condensation induced water hammer driven sterilization. United States.
Kullberg, Craig M. Tue . "Condensation induced water hammer driven sterilization". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1174838.
@article{osti_1174838,
title = {Condensation induced water hammer driven sterilization},
author = {Kullberg, Craig M.},
abstractNote = {A method and apparatus (10) for treating a fluid or materials therein with acoustic energy has a vessel (14) for receiving the fluid with inner walls shaped to focus acoustic energy to a target zone within the vessel. One or more nozzles (26) are directed into the vessel (14) for injecting a condensable vapor, such as steam, into the vessel (14). The system may include a steam source (18) for providing steam as the condensable vapor from an industrial waste heat source. Steam drums (88) are disposed between the steam source (18) and nozzles (26) to equalize and distribute the vapor pressure. A cooling source (30) provides a secondary fluid for maintaining the liquid in the vessel (14) in subcooled conditions. A heating jacket (32) surrounds the vessel (14) to heat the walls of the vessel (14) and prevent biological growth thereon. A pressurizer (33) may operate the system at elevated pressures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 11 00:00:00 EDT 2004},
month = {Tue May 11 00:00:00 EDT 2004}
}