Electric field analysis of different compact electrodes for pulsed electric field applications in liquid food

Abstract

Electromagnetic simulation is performed on two compact electrode designs to obtain higher electric field distribution between high voltage and ground electrode, which ensures high bacterial inactivation in liquid food. Electric field simulations are performed initially for test voltages of 1kV to 5kV to understand the nature of electric field distribution in the inactivation area. Then the applied voltage is gradually increased to induce transmembrane potential on the cell membrane. The microorganism modeled for field analysis is Staphylococcus aureus. For both the round edged and torus tube designs, the transmembrane potential of 0.5V to 1V is achieved with the spherical cell, modeled between the high voltage and the ground electrode, which shows pore formation possibility. Dimensions of the electrodes are maintained in mm and cm suitable for laboratory scale, continuous pulsed electric field treatments. In both the designs, emphasis is on the simulation to achieve higher electric field application in the inactivation area, which can be realized through satisfying electroporation phenomenon. From the observed results, it is understood that greater electric field application is achievable even using small efficient electrode designs, which in turn assures i) A greater bacterial inactivation in the liquid food and ii) A compact pulsed electric field experimental prototype.