DEVELOPMENT OF PROCESS EQUIPMENT TO SEPARATE NONTHERMAL AND THERMAL EFFECTS OF RF ENERGY ON MICROORGANISMS

摘要

We developed a modified radio frequency (RF) dielectric heater, as a component of a continuous process, for isolating thermal and nonthermal effects of RF energy on microorganisms in liquid foods. The concept combines instantaneous input of RF energy to the food system with rapid removal of thermal energy. We used a double tube heat exchanger as an integral part of the RF heater. The outer tube was Teflon.