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Processing Facilities (processing + facility)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Chemistry	64%
Humanities and Social Sciences	14%

Distribution within Chemistry

General & Introductory Food Science & Technology	78%
Chemical Engineering	21%

Selected Abstracts

ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS PRESENT ON VACUUM LOADERS IN SHELL EGG PROCESSING FACILITIES

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2008
D.R. JONES
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine the pathogen prevalence on vacuum loader cup surfaces. An off-line (birds housed off-site) and a mixed (birds housed on-site and eggs brought from outside production) operation shell egg processing facility were sampled three times each. Twenty vacuum loader cups were randomly rinsed with sterile saline per visit. Total aerobic microorganisms and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated, and the prevalence of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria was determined. Aerobic microorganisms were ,5 log cfu/mL, with higher levels noted in the mixed operation. Enterobacteriaceae levels averaged 2.5 log cfu/mL but were higher in the off-line facility. Campylobacter was detected in 1.6% of the samples. Salmonella was detected in 3.3% of the samples with isolates serotyped as Salmonella anatum and Salmonella heidelberg. There was a high prevalence of Listeria (72%). Confirmed isolates were identified as Listeria innocua (98.8%) and Listeria monocytogenes (1.2%). Identification of the populations present on the cup surfaces will allow for the development of more effective cleaning and disinfection programs. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Vacuum loaders have previously been determined to be reservoirs for microorganisms in shell egg processing plants. Assessing the prevalence of prominent foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria) on the vacuum loader cup surface would allow for more targeted approaches to cleaning and sanitation. High levels of aerobic organisms and Enterobacteriaceae were detected (,5 and 2.5 log cfu/mL, respectively). Furthermore, Campylobacter and Salmonella were also found, but at low prevalence. Listeria was detected in 72% of the samples. Cleaning and sanitation programs currently utilized in shell egg processing facilities need to be reassessed, and new technologies need to be developed to address the presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria. [source]

Biofilm Formation and Control in Food Processing Facilities

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2003
R.A.N. Chmielewski
ABSTRACT Microorganisms on wet surfaces have the ability to aggregate, grow into microcolonies, and produce biofilm. Growth of biofilms in food processing environments leads to increased opportunity for microbial contamination of the processed product. These biofilms may contain spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Microorganisms within biofilms are protected from sanitizers increasing the likelihood of survival and subsequent contamination of food. This increases the risk of reduced shelf life and disease transmission. Extracellular polymeric substances associated with biofilm that are not removed by cleaning provide attachment sites for microorganisms newly arrived to the cleaned system. Biofilm formation can also cause the impairment of heat transfer and corrosion to metal surfaces. Some of the methods used to control biofilm formation include mechanical and manual cleaning, chemical cleaning and sanitation, and application of hot water. [source]

Performance of a full-scale biotrickling filter treating H2S at a gas contact time of 1.6 to 2.2 seconds

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 2 2003
David Gabriel
Emission of objectionable odors is a major problem for wastewater treatment and other processing facilities. Biological treatment is a promising alternative to conventional control methods, such as chemical scrubbing, but historically, biotreatment has always required significantly larger reactor volumes than chemical scrubbers. In this paper, we present several aspects of the operation and performance of a chemical scrubber, retrofitted to operate as a biotrickling filter treating 16,000 m3 h,1 of foul air with the original gas contact time of 1.6 to 2.2 seconds. In continuous operation for more than a year, the biotrickling filter has shown stable performance and robust behavior for H2S treatment, with pollutant removal performance comparable to using a chemical scrubber. Reclaimed water was used as a nutrient source for the process, and to maintain the pH in the biotrickling filter between 1.5 and 2.2. At a gas contact time of 1.6 seconds, H2S removal was in excess of 95% for sustained inlet H2S concentrations as high as 30 ppmv. This corresponds to volumetric elimination rates of 95 to 105 g H2S m,3 h,1. Efficiencies of about 90% were observed under transient conditions at 2.2 seconds gas contact time for inlet concentration peaks up to 60 ppmv. The biotrickling filter also removed significant amounts of reduced sulfur compounds, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds present in traces in the air, which is important in practical applications. Selected experiments, such as intermittent trickling operation and a one-month operation period at neutral pH, are also presented. Results indicate that the intermittent trickling operation does not have a significant effect on H2S removal. However, when operated at neutral pH, biotrickling filter performance clearly decreased, probably due to an excessive chlorine supply to the reactor through the make-up water. The study demonstrates that biotrickling filters can replace chemical scrubbers as a safer, more economical technique for odor control. [source]

Cryogenic condensation: A cost-effective technology for controlling VOC emissions

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 2 2002
Robert J. Davis
Cryogenic condensation is an extremely cost-effective technology for controlling emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from chemical processing facilities under certain conditions. This paper describes the technology and provides the case history of an application in the pharmaceutical industry, in which its cost effectiveness was compared with a range of alternative technologies, including thermal oxidation, catalytic oxidation, flaring, carbon adsorption, and scrubbing. Because the facility already used significant quantities of liquid and gaseous nitrogen for inerting, blanketing, and purging, a very convenient cold source for cryogenic condensation was already present. On a lifetime cost basis, cryogenic condensation was significantly less costly than all other technologies evaluated. [source]

DETERMINATION OF AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN OLIVES BY IMMUNOAFFINITY COLUMN USING HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 2 2006
CAVIT BIRCAN
ABSTRACT Eighty-two whole black olive samples gathered from six different olive oil processing facilities were surveyed to determine levels of aflatoxins using immunoaffinity column extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Two different analytical procedures adopted for the analysis of aflatoxins were investigated for their suitability by spiking the blank olive samples with five different known levels of aflatoxins to determine which one had higher recovery rates. Although some of the olive samples had been exposed to adverse conditions, such as rain and high temperatures, none were found to contain aflatoxins at the determined detection limit. Although the samples were kept in high relative humidity (75%) and high temperature (30C) for 3 months and were tested at 1-month intervals, no aflatoxins were detected. In addition, the olives were inoculated on a potato dextrose agar medium and incubated for 7 days at 25C to characterize the microflora. Because there is no evidence of aflatoxins in fresh whole olives, the next step of processing the contaminated olives into olive oils and testing them for the aflatoxins was not pursued. [source]

REDUCTIONS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI, COLIFORMS, AEROBIC PLATE COUNTS AND CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI BY A SMALL-SCALE, HIGH-PRESSURE SYSTEM DEVISED TO CLEAN A MINIATURIZED POULTRY GIBLETS TRANSPORT SYSTEM

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2009
OMAR A. OYARZABAL
ABSTRACT The efficacy of using direct high-pressure hot water (60C, 140F) and a quaternary ammonium compound to clean the inside of stainless steel pipe used to transport chicken giblets was evaluated. The giblets were collected from a commercial processing plant and were inoculated with Campylobacter jejuni. The cleaning system was effective in reducing the numbers of inoculated C. jejuni and naturally occurring mesotrophic bacteria (aerobic plate counts) on the inside surface of the stainless steel pipe used to transport the giblets. However, the decreases in naturally occurring Escherichia coli and coliforms were not significant. These results suggest that additional improvements are needed to better disinfect the piping system used to transport giblets to reduce the potential for cross-contamination with C. jejuni and E. coli. The devised cleaning system could be optimized to reduce the use of chemical agents, the cleaning time and the cost of cleaning pipes in poultry processing facilities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS These experiments suggest that the traditional use of hot water and quaternary ammonium compounds to clean the inside of the piping system used to transport chicken giblets may not be sufficient to reduce the contamination with Campylobacter jejuni and mesotrophic bacteria (aerobic plate count). Poultry processors should be aware of the limitations of cleaning closed piping systems and develop and test high-pressure systems to thoroughly clean the pipes used to transport giblets after processing to avoid potential sources of cross-contamination with C. jejuni and mesotrophic bacteria. [source]

ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS PRESENT ON VACUUM LOADERS IN SHELL EGG PROCESSING FACILITIES

Whole-Leaf Wash Improves Chlorine Efficacy for Microbial Reduction and Prevents Pathogen Cross-Contamination during Fresh-Cut Lettuce Processing

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010
Xiangwu Nou
Abstract:, Currently, most fresh-cut processing facilities in the United States use chlorinated water or other sanitizer solutions for microbial reduction after lettuce is cut. Freshly cut lettuce releases significant amounts of organic matter that negatively impacts the effectiveness of chlorine or other sanitizers for microbial reduction. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether a sanitizer wash before cutting improves microbial reduction efficacy compared to a traditional postcutting sanitizer wash. Romaine lettuce leaves were quantitatively inoculated with,E. coli,O157:H7 strains and washed in chlorinated water before or after cutting, and,E. coli,O157:H7 cells that survived the washing process were enumerated to determine the effectiveness of microbial reduction for the 2 cutting and washing sequences. Whole-leaf washing in chlorinated water improved pathogen reduction by approximately 1 log unit over traditional cut-leaf sanitization. Similar improvement in the reduction of background microflora was also observed. Inoculated "Lollo Rossa" red lettuce leaves were mixed with noninoculated Green-Leaf lettuce leaves to evaluate pathogen cross-contamination during processing. High level (96.7% subsamples, average MPN 0.6 log CFU/g) of cross-contamination of noninoculated green leaves by inoculated red leaves was observed when mixed lettuce leaves were cut prior to washing in chlorinated water. In contrast, cross-contamination of noninoculated green leaves was significantly reduced (3.3% of subsamples, average MPN ,,0.3 log CFU/g) when the mixed leaves were washed in chlorinated water before cutting. This result suggests that whole-leaf sanitizing washes could be a practical strategy for enhancing the efficacy of chlorine washes for pathogen reduction and cross-contamination prevention. Practical Application:, Freshly cut leafy greens release large amount of organic matter that negatively impact the chlorine washing efficacy. Implementing the primary antimicrobial intervention step of chlorine washing prior to cutting can significantly improve the efficacy of microbial reduction and minimize pathogen cross-contamination. [source]

Aggregated structure of flocculated asphaltenes

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001
Theophylaktos G. Savvidis
Many petroleum processing problems are related to asphaltene flocculation. A detailed understanding of the colloidal structure of asphaltenes in oild can play a decisive role in improving processing facilities and/or operating conditions. The structure of the flocculated part of the asphaltenes of a crude oil far above the flocculation threshold was studied to understand its links with macroscopic phase separation. Asphaltene filtrations were performed using filter pore sizes from 0.025 to 10 ,m. According to small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) spectra and density measurements, these extracted asphaltenes in toluene solutions did not have any physical differences. Measurements of nanometric sizes for the dispersed particles after dissolution in toluene show that micron-size flocculated asphaltenes are strongly aggregated structures. Therefore, filtration experiments separate asphaltenes corresponding powders show spherically shaped aggregates of micron size. SAXS and USAXS techniques were used to investigate the internal structure of the asphaltene powder. The aggregates are clearly a compact organization of asphaltenic material. This dense structure explains why flocculated asphaltenes are subject to sedimentation, which induces the visible macroscopic phase separation. [source]

A New Technique for Preparing a Filled Type of Polymeric Gradient Material

MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 11 2006
Yong-Bin Zhu
Abstract Summary: So-called functionally gradient materials have received increased attention as a new type of composite whose microelements, including composition and structure, change spatially to optimize the gradient properties for a specific application. In this study, a new technique for continuously preparing a filled type of PGM was investigated through co-extrusion/gradient distribution/2-dimensional mixing with conventional polymeric material processing facilities. The processing line from co-extrusion, gradient distribution to 2-dimensional mixing was fulfilled by two extruders, a gradient distribution unit and 2-dimensional mixing units. The gradient distribution unit and 2-dimensional mixing units were designed separately in our group. As an example, a PE/GB PGM was prepared by using this new technique. The gradient variation of composition along the sample thickness direction was studied by TG and SEM. The TG results indicated that a gradient variation of the content of GB was formed along the thickness of the sample. The direct gradient distribution of GB came from SEM observation, which showed an increased stacking density of GB along the sample thickness. Experimental results indicated that the processing method with co-extrusion/gradient distribution/2-dimensional mixing can serve as a new way to produce a filled type of PGM and is worthy of further investigation. The prepared polyethylene/glass bead PGM; the graph illustrates the glass bead concentration gradient across the sample thickness. [source]

End of life vehicle management in areas of low technology sophistication.

BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 5 2003
A case study in Greece
This paper was based on the findings of a study aimed at identifying and evaluating appropriate investment strategies in the area of end of life vehicle management (ELVM), especially against the emerging policy framework, as outlined by the recent EU legislation (2000/53 EG directive). The study was carried out for OMPM SA (Organisation for the Management of Public Material), a Greek organization, with many years' involvement in the management of ELVs. The departure point of the work was the critical review of available best practices, mostly compiled by means of a considerable number of on the spot visits to diverse ELVM processing facilities in the Northern EU. These experiences and practices were critically adapted to the very different local circumstances, characterized by an underdeveloped market and a low operational sophistication. In this way, the recommendations of the study, also reported in this work, are of a wider relevance to areas where the main priority is rather the development and rationalization of the ELVM business itself, before getting on to the subtler fine tuning and optimization issues that may be on the agenda in more mature environments. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source]

ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS PRESENT ON VACUUM LOADERS IN SHELL EGG PROCESSING FACILITIES

Prevalence of Salmonella infecting bacteriophages associated with Ontario pig farms and the holding area of a high capacity pork processing facility

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2010
Sunan Wang
Abstract BACKGROUND: There is interest in applying bacteriophages to control Salmonella in pig production and pork processing. The following reports on the prevalence of Salmonella infecting bacteriophages within Ontario pig farms and associated with the holding area of a pork slaughterhouse. RESULTS:Salmonella infecting bacteriophages were present in 30 and 28 of the effluent manure samples collected from 36 farms using S. Typhimurium DT104 or S. Heidelberg as host cell respectively. Bacteriophages were recovered in 95,100% of the 48 samples taken from holding pens within a high capacity slaughterhouse over a 12 month period. Bacteriophages isolated from farms exhibited similar host ranges which differed to that of slaughterhouse isolates. Salmonella (n = 21) from the slaughterhouse were susceptible to the endogenous bacteriophages. Despite being susceptible to the resident phages, the Salmonella populations were found to be genetically stable with the same genotypes being recovered over successive visits. Salmonella isolated from the farms were frequently resistant to the endogenous phages. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteriophages are prevalent in the pig slaughterhouse environment although they do not have a significant impact on the genetic structure of Salmonella populations. However, there was evidence that the Salmonella population structure on farms is influenced by the presence of infecting phages. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

An exergy calculator tool for process simulation

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007
Juan M. Montelongo-Luna
Abstract The constant tightening of environmental regulations and the ongoing need to reduce operating costs have posed a challenge for the design of any chemical process. Process engineers use process simulators to help them perform calculations that will, ultimately, result in design parameters or operating conditions for a plant or process. Exergy is a potential indicator that can aid in the design of energy efficient chemical processes and plants. The exergy concept has been increasingly used as a tool to locate the critical energy use in many industrial processes, both chemical and non-chemical. However, currently most process simulators in the market do not offer the capability of calculating the exergy of a process. An open-source exergy calculator has been created by embedding the calculation procedure in an open-source chemical process simulator. This improves process simulation by including a potential tool for design teams to quickly evaluate several process options in detail in order to understand their energy utilisation. A simple exergy analysis for a gas processing facility is used to demonstrate the capabilities of the tool. The analysis shows where the largest quantities of exergy are being consumed within the plant, thus pointing to areas where improvement in energy usage can be made. The use of exergy as a potential design and retrofit tool is also discussed. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]