Abstract: Methods and devices use one or more of pressure, pressure drop, increased temperature, rate of temperature increase, and inert gas to kill microbes. Utilizing a method or device, liquid is subjected to a pressure drop and heated either during and/or after the pressure drop. The liquid may be heated while in droplet phase, in a liquid volume, or both. Inert gas may be dissolved into the liquid at a pressure greater than 1 Bar. The pressure is later reduced, which causes inert gas to be released from the liquid. Other method steps and processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device are described that reduce the amount of pathogens in a liquid and/or to mitigate the growth of pathogens. Utilizing the method or device, liquid product is subjected to an 8 Bar or greater pressure drop. The liquid product is then heated to increase its temperature by at least 10° C. while it is in the droplet phase and/or after being collected into a liquid volume.

Abstract: A method and device are described that reduce the amount of pathogens in a liquid and/or to mitigate the growth of pathogens. Utilizing the method or device, liquid product is subjected to an 8 Bar or greater pressure drop. The liquid product is then heated to increase its temperature by at least 10° C. while it is in the droplet phase and/or after being collected into a liquid volume.

Abstract: A method and device related to a liquid product pressure and (optionally) temperature treatment method reduces the level of microorganisms in the liquid product to a preselected level. Utilizing the method, liquid product is diffused in a chamber with the speed of pressure variation of liquid product in one embodiment of about 109 Pa/sec. The preferred speed of the diffused drops is about 10 m/sec. The liquid product can optionally be heated before or during diffusion, and is preferably heated as a diffused liquid product by mixing it with superheated steam. The device includes a chamber and a diffuser in communication with the chamber.