International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET)

Volume 1 Issue7 pp 009-011 October 2012 www.ijsret.org ISSN 2278 - 0882

Microcontroller Based High Voltage Pulse Electric Field Generator for Pasteurization
1

Sudhir Kumar Singh, 2Vinayak Yadav

kavsud220607@gmail.com, Vinayaky126@gmail.com 1,2 Electronics & Communication Engineering Babu Banarasi Das Institute of Engineering Technology & Research Centre, Jahangirabad Bulandshahr, U.P

ABSTRACT
In This paper describes the design and implementation of Microcontroller based High Voltage pulse electric field generator for Liquid food pasteurization. It generates a high voltage (15 kV) approximately in the frequency range from 250 Hz to 30 kHz. This high voltage applied for food pasteurization, which is placed between two electrodes. Keywords: Fly back transformer, Microcontroller, Pulsed electric field, Treatment Chamber, milk, Juice, water.

Square waveform is the most efficient and effective waveform in the PEF application [6], and frequency can be varied from 250 Hz to 30 k Hz.

II.

PROPOSED PULSE GENERATOR SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

I.

INTRODUCTION

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) is a technology used for nonthermal pasteurization of foods. PEF involves the application of pulses of high voltage to foods placed between 2 electrodes. For food quality attributes, PEF technology is considered superior to traditional heat treatment of foods because it avoids or greatly reduces the detrimental changes of the sensory and physical properties of foods, like color, flavor, texture and nutrients [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Using PEF, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms are inactivated. Pulse waveforms commonly used in PEF technology.

The elements of the PEF system1. Battery /AC power supply 2. Microcontroller Atmel AT89S52 3. Push Button Switch 4. Displays 5. Regulated Voltage Circuit 6. Switching Circuitry 7. High Voltage Fly back Transformer 8. Treatment Chamber

Fig 2. Functional block diagram of proposed high voltage pulse generator

III.

FLY BACK TRANSFORMER

Fig 1. (a) Oscillatory Decay Pulse (ODP)(b) Exponential Decay Pulse (c) Square Pulse

The transformer consists of two windings and couple of U type ferrite cores with air gaps, as shown in Fig. The two windings were wound to the one side of the core. The secondary circuit was fitted on the lower part and right side of the step-up transformer.

IJSRET @ 2012

International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET)

Volume 1 Issue7 pp 009-011 October 2012 www.ijsret.org ISSN 2278 - 0882

Fly back transformers, however, not only transfer energy to their secondary, but they also store energy for a Considerable amount of time. In fact, fly back transformers act as pure inductors during one first half cycle, and Then acts as a pure transformer in the other half cycle. This behavior is made possible by an air gap in the ferrite Core. This air gap increases the reluctance of the core, which thereby increases its ability to store magnetic Energy.

permeability and results in either reversible or irreversible breakdown of the cell [7].

Fig 5. Electroporation of a cell membrane

IV.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Fig 4 and Fig 5 shows 250 Hz and 30 kHz voltage wave on a 10 k final load, respectively. It can be seen, the pulse generated is a square wave in both cases. These signals were used in the treatment chamber to inactivate microbes in juice.

Fig 3. Cross section of Fly Back Transformer Treatment Chamber The Treatment chamber is used determined electric field strength generated by high voltage generator, in which liquid food flow. The raw material for treatment chamber is stainless steel plate; it was safe for all food products. The treatment chamber shapes is in the form of cylindrical and cover on the top.

Fig 6.1. High voltage pulse at 250 Hz

Fig 4. Types of treatment chambers for inactivation of microorganisms by pulsed power: (a) perpendicular flow, (b) parallel flow Fig 6.2. High voltage pulse at 30 kHz Electroporation The application of PEF results in the accumulation of charges on the cell membrane and eventually a change in the voltage across the membrane. This increases the cell

V.

CONCLUSIONS

Microcontroller based high voltage pulse electric field generator has been presented. A variable frequency from 250 Hz to 30 kHz can be generated for the high voltage

IJSRET @ 2012

International Journal of Scientific Research Engineering & Technology (IJSRET)

Volume 1 Issue7 pp 009-011 October 2012 www.ijsret.org ISSN 2278 - 0882

(15 kV) approximately. Solid state semiconductor technology has been used to generate pulses of high voltage with a variable frequency. It can be used to pasteurize fluids such as juices, milk and soups without using Additives. This technology can substitute for conventional heat Pasteurization. It is restricted to food products with no air bubbles and with low electrical Conductivity. It has no detrimental effects on product quality found. The PEF method is not suitable for most of the solid food products containing Air bubbles when placed in the treatment chamber. It is not suitable for solid food products which are not Pump able. This process has a number of advantages over conventional techniques: Simple and practical to construct, continuous flow of water, no expensive. High voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) has been recognized as the world's most popular and most advanced techniques sterilization.

[7] K. H. Schoenbach, R. P. Joshi, R. H. Stark, F. C. Dobbs, and F. J. Beebe, Bacterial decontamination of liquids with pulsed electric fields, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul., vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 637645, Oct. 2000.

REFERENCES
[1] Quass, D. W. Pulse Electric Field processing in the food industry. A status report on PEF. Palo Alto CA. Electric Power Research Institute. CR- 109742. 1997. [2] LEWIS, M. y Heppell, N. (2000). Continuous Thermal Processing of Foods: Pasteurization and UHT Sterilization. Gaithersburg, Maryland: An Aspen Publication. [3] BARBOSA-CNOVAS, G.V. (1998). Nonthermal Preservation of Foods. New York: Marcel Dekker. [4] http://www.fao.org/ag/ags/agsi/Nonthermal/ nonthermal_1.htm (Seen 10/03/2009). [5] http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/iftpef. html (Seen 15/04/2008). [6] B. Qin, Q. Zhang, G. V. Barbosa-Canovas, B. G. Swanson and P. D. Pedrow, "Inactivation of microorganisms by pulsed electric fields of different voltage waveforms, " Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions, vol. 1, pp. 1047- 1057, 1994.

IJSRET @ 2012