Food and Wastewater Processing

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) processing uses a high-energy pulsed electric field to break open vegetative cell walls in a process called 'electroporation'. PEF processing can destroy pathogens in liquid food and wastewater; increase yields in starch and sugar extraction from plants such as sugar beets; and aid the dewatering digestion of biomass, enabling its conversion to alternative fuels.

In PEF processing, liquids pass through processing chambers and are "pulsed" rapidly with very high voltage electric pulses generated by DTI's PowerMod™ electronics. The voltage, duration, and frequency of the pulses can be varied independently, so that optimum PEF parameters are applied for each application.

PEF processing is a "non-thermal" technology, meaning the substance being treated is not significantly heated. When used for food sterilization, PEF processing maintains the taste, color, anti-oxidant content, and consistency of fresh food, and eliminates the need for chemical or radiation treatment.

Below is a list of publications relating to DTI's technology in Pulsed Electric Field processing.

Removing Barriers to Commercialization or PEF Systems and Processes (2016) - A six page paper describing the barriers to commercial adoption of pulsed electric fields for the sterilization of foods. Presented at 3rd School on Pulsed Electric Field Processing of Food, March. (576 kb)

Improving Food Quality with Novel Food Processing Technologies (2014) - A book purchasable online in which DTI which has written a chapter explaining the details of pulsed electric field processing.

Enhancing Industrial Processes by Pulsed Electric Fields (2012) - A four page paper describing the application of large scale pulsed electric fields to the sterilization of foods, treatment of wastewater and extraction processes. Presented at the 2012 Euro-Asian Pulsed Power Conference. (239 kb)

Scaleup of PEF Systems for Food and Waste Streams (2006) - A four page paper describing the application of large scale pulsed electric fields to the sterilization of foods and treatment of wastewater. Presented at the 3rd Innovative Food Centre Conference, October 2006. (140 kb)

Pulsed Electric Field Processing (2006)-A two page article appearing in the January 2006 issue of Food Technology magazine provides an overview of the current status of PEF processing. .You can read more about food technology at the website of the Institute of Food Technologists or by purchasing the book Case Studies in Novel Food Processing Technologies: Innovations in Processing, Packaging, and Predictive Modeling , in which DTI has written a chapter explaining the details of pulsed electric field processing.

Solid-State Power Systems for Pulsed Electric Field Processing (2005) - A four page paper presented at the 2005 Pulsed Power Conference describing pulsed electric field processing systems, including their pulsed power electronics and treatment chambers. (574 kb)

Pulsed Power Systems for Food and Wastewater Processing (2002)-A four page paper presented at the 2002 European Pulsed Power Conference describing the use of Pulsed Electric Fields in the sterilization of liquid foods and bacterial reduction in wastewater. (387 kb)