Egg sterilizer for eliminating viruses and bacteria from whole eggs or foodstuffs subjects them to an electromagnetic discharge, generated by a high voltage generator, providing a suitable intensity and frequency range

摘要

Poultry eggs (7) and foodstuffs presenting high risk of intestinal infection, including from Salmonella, are loaded on a carrier (6) filled with a material (4) having dielectric properties matched to egg and subjected to a defined range of high voltage, wave-form, electromagnetic discharge impulses within a coaxial conductor, to effect sterilization without heat treatment : The generator (1) comprising a plate induction capacitor (8), non-linear resistor (9) and charge device (10) sets up a high tension field in a coaxial conductor through which the eggs, surrounded by dielectric material, are passed or contained. The field is maintained by a charge transmitter (3) and solenoid (5). The field is chosen on the basis that the bacteria and viruses have dielectric properties sensitizing them to a range of discharge strength and frequency not affecting egg white and egg yolk quality. A preferred embodiment incorporates coupled drive, continuous motion through the field with automatic loading and unloading of the eggs using slatted conveyor belts and is fitted with dielectric brushes inside the treatment space.