Modelling and multiobjective optimization of the VHP sterilization process of pouch packaging

Aseptic filling technology of Spouted Pouch packaging, even more used in the beverages sector, requires a very complex sterilization and rinsing of the packaging before filling. This work aims to optimize the sterilization process of a pouch packaging used in aseptic technology. Starting from a fixed position of the nozzle inside the pouch, this work goals to varying the flow rate through the nozzle and the process time, in order to ensure the contact between H2O2 solution and all zone of the packaging wall, so to optimize the sterilization process. The analysed sterilization process adopts a mixture composed by vaporized hydrogen peroxide and hot sterile air. This problem has been resolved using a multiobjective optimisation with the mains objectives to minimize the consumption of H2O2 and the relatives costs and maximize the sterilization efficacy on the packaging volume in a defined time.

[1]  Kalyanmoy Deb,et al.  A fast and elitist multiobjective genetic algorithm: NSGA-II , 2002, IEEE Trans. Evol. Comput..

[2]  Hongmei Chi,et al.  On the Scrambled Sobol Sequence , 2005, International Conference on Computational Science.

[3]  Joel H. Ferziger,et al.  Computational methods for fluid dynamics , 1996 .

[4]  J. Farkas.  Irradiation as a method for decontaminating food. A review. , 1998, International journal of food microbiology.

[5]  G. Cerny.  Testing of aseptic machines for efficiency of sterilization of packaging materials by means of hydrogen peroxide , 1992 .

[6]  Chris D. Rielly,et al.  The inactivation of bacillus subtilis spores at low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide vapour , 2013 .

[7]  Soojin Jun,et al.  Reusable pouch development for long term space missions: A 3D ohmic model for verification of sterilization efficacy , 2007 .

[8]  Eleonora Bottani,et al.  Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Air Flows in Aseptic Clean Rooms , 2008 .

[9]  Dionissios P. Margaris,et al.  Dried product quality improvement by air flow manipulation in tray dryers , 2006 .

[10]  Laurence Castle,et al.  Chemical Migration from Polypropylene and Polyethylene Aseptic Food Packaging as Affected by Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilization. , 1995, Journal of food protection.

[11]  Qian Zou,et al.  A CFD modeling system for airflow and heat transfer in ventilated packaging for fresh foods: I. Initial analysis and development of mathematical models , 2006 .

[12]  Ashis Kumar Datta,et al.  An Overview of Sterilization Methods for Packaging Materials Used in Aseptic Packaging Systems , 2003 .

[13]  Michael L. Corradini,et al.  A thermodynamically consistent and fully conservative treatment of contact discontinuities for compressible multicomponent flows , 2004 .

[14]  Michael J. Schöning,et al.  Monitoring the microbicidal effectiveness of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in sterilisation processes by means of a calorimetric gas sensor , 2013 .

[15]  D. Vesley,et al.  Vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide as a surface decontaminant and sterilant , 1990, Applied and environmental microbiology.

[16]  D.A.E. Ehlermann,et al.  Effects of ionizing radiation on properties of monolayer and multilayer flexible food packaging materials , 1999 .

[17]  M. Farid,et al.  Thermal sterilization of canned food in a 3-D pouch using computational fluid dynamics , 2001 .

[18]  G. Robertson.  Food Packaging: Principles and Practice , 1992 .

[19]  José de Assis Fonseca Faria,et al.  Evaluation of a system for chemical sterilization of packages , 2004 .