Industrial pulsed electric field systems

Abstract

Pulsed electric field (PEF) systems have evolved considerably from the small, hand-built, laboratory apparatus used for experiments in the 1990s. As this technology has moved from the laboratory to commercial operations, the demands on the systems themselves have grown substantially, along with substantially increased requirements for reliability and repeatability. Adding to these challenges, the range of PEF applications has demanded higher levels of flexibility from the PEF systems themselves. In response to the growth of PEF applications, multiple companies are currently building PEF systems specifically for industrial use. These commercial PEF systems are meeting the commercial demand and easing the transition to PEF applications for new processes and companies. The key distinctions of industrial PEF systems include their higher power/capacity, enhanced monitoring and controls, and ability to meet commercial requirements for safety and operation in a manufacturing environment. This chapter examines the requirements, unique features, and current state-of-the-art in industrial PEF systems.