Abstract: A method of sanitizing a surface is described that includes: (a) providing a pH control composition that includes at least one pH control agent (such as sodium bisulfate); (b) contacting a first feed aqueous stream with the pH control composition, thereby forming a first treated aqueous stream; (c) combining at least a portion of the first treated aqueous stream with a feed sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen, thereby forming a treated sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen (such as free available chlorine). The surface sanitizing method further includes, (d) elevating the temperature of the treated sanitizing aqueous stream, thereby forming a heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream having an elevated temperature that includes free available halogen. The heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream is applied to a surface to be sanitized (such as a poultry carcass surface).

Abstract: A chemical feeder includes a housing having a housing chamber, a sieve plate within the housing chamber, and a cartridge on an upper surface of the sieve plate. The cartridge includes a tubular member with a sidewall outer surface and a plurality of partitions extending from the sidewall outer surface to define a plurality of pockets, at least one of which contains a solid chemical material. The sieve plate includes a plurality of sieve plate inlet apertures, at least a portion of which are in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of pockets. During operation, a feed liquid passes up through at least a portion of the sieve inlet plate apertures and into at least one pocket where it contacts a solid chemical material, so as to form a treated liquid that includes dissolved chemical material, at least a portion of which is removed through an outlet.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing a surface is described that includes: (a) providing a pH control composition that includes at least one pH control agent (such as sodium bisulfate); (b) contacting a first feed aqueous stream with the pH control composition, thereby forming a first treated aqueous stream; (c) combining at least a portion of the first treated aqueous stream with a feed sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen, thereby forming a treated sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen (such as free available chlorine). The surface sanitizing method further includes, (d) elevating the temperature of the treated sanitizing aqueous stream, thereby forming a heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream having an elevated temperature that includes free available halogen. The heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream is applied to a surface to be sanitized (such as a poultry carcass surface).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a housing having a housing chamber, a sieve plate residing within the housing chamber, and a funnel residing on an upper surface of the sieve plate. The funnel includes upper and lower openings, an interior funnel space, and at least one funnel sidewall aperture. The sieve plate includes a plurality of sieve plate apertures at least a portion of which are in fluid communication with the interior funnel space via the lower funnel opening. During operation, a feed liquid passes up through at least a portion of the sieve plate apertures and into the interior funnel space where it contacts a solid chemical material, so as to form a treated liquid that includes dissolved chemical material, at least a portion of which passes out through the funnel sidewall aperture(s) and exits the chemical feed through an outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a housing (11) having a housing chamber (20) therein, a support plate (35) within the housing chamber that includes a plurality of support plate apertures (44), and a plurality of nozzles (69, 72) that each have a distributor head (78) that extends up through the support plate. Each distributor head distributes a feed liquid horizontally above the upper surface (38) of the support plate. The chemical feeder, with some embodiments, further includes a diverter plate (122) that extends upward from the support plate at an angle (125) of less than 90°. The diverter plate divides an upper housing chamber (146) into a first upper housing chamber (152) that includes solid chemical material, and a second upper housing chamber (155) that is free of solid chemical material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a support plate that is positioned within the housing chamber of the chemical feeder. The support plate includes a base plate that has one or more extensions that extend upward from an upper surface of the base plate. The extensions can, with some embodiments, be in the form of peg extensions, arcuate extensions that can together define an impeller pattern, or a spiral extension. The support plate also includes a deflection plate that is positioned vertically above at least one support plate aperture that extends through the base plate. The deflection plate also includes at least one deflection plate hole therethrough. A first portion of liquid passing up through the support plate aperture is horizontally deflected by the deflection plate and interacts with the extensions. A second portion of liquid passing up through the support plate aperture passes vertically up through the deflection plate hole(s).

Abstract: A chemical feeder includes a housing having a housing chamber, a sieve plate within the housing chamber, and a cartridge on an upper surface of the sieve plate. The cartridge includes a tubular member with a sidewall outer surface and a plurality of partitions extending from the sidewall outer surface to define a plurality of pockets, at least one of which contains a solid chemical material. The sieve plate includes a plurality of sieve plate inlet apertures, at least a portion of which are in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of pockets. During operation, a feed liquid passes up through at least a portion of the sieve inlet plate apertures and into at least one pocket where it contacts a solid chemical material, so as to form a treated liquid that includes dissolved chemical material, at least a portion of which is removed through an outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a housing (11) having a housing chamber (20) therein, a support plate (35) within the housing chamber that includes a plurality of support plate apertures (44), and a plurality of nozzles (69, 72) that each have a distributor head (78) that extends up through the support plate. Each distributor head distributes a feed liquid horizontally above the upper surface (38) of the support plate. The chemical feeder, with some embodiments, further includes a diverter plate (122) that extends upward from the support plate at an angle (125) of less than 90°. The diverter plate divides an upper housing chamber (146) into a first upper housing chamber (152) that includes solid chemical material, and a second upper housing chamber (155) that is free of solid chemical material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a housing having a housing chamber, a sieve plate residing within the housing chamber, and a funnel residing on an upper surface of the sieve plate. The funnel includes upper and lower openings, an interior funnel space, and at least one funnel sidewall aperture. The sieve plate includes a plurality of sieve plate apertures at least a portion of which are in fluid communication with the interior funnel space via the lower funnel opening. During operation, a feed liquid passes up through at least a portion of the sieve plate apertures and into the interior funnel space where it contacts a solid chemical material, so as to form a treated liquid that includes dissolved chemical material, at least a portion of which passes out through the funnel sidewall aperture(s) and exits the chemical feed through an outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a container (11) having an open container end (20) that is attached to the second surface (38) of a lid (32), and a housing (50) having an upper portion that is attached to the first surface (35) of the lid. The housing includes a perforated support plate (77) and a nozzle (92) having a distributor head (95) that extends up through a first support plate opening (86) and a first lid opening (41). The distributor head includes at least one distributor head aperture (101) that resides above second surface (35) of the lid, and which distributes a feed liquid laterally into the container chamber (23) where it contacts a solid chemical material (47) and forms a treated liquid, which is removed from the chemical feed through a housing outlet (110). Methods of forming a treated liquid are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical feeder that includes a support plate that is positioned within the housing chamber of the chemical feeder. The support plate includes a base plate that has one or more extensions that extend upward from an upper surface of the base plate. The extensions can, with some embodiments, be in the form of peg extensions, arcuate extensions that can together define an impeller pattern, or a spiral extension. The support plate also includes a deflection plate that is positioned vertically above at least one support plate aperture that extends through the base plate. The deflection plate also includes at least one deflection plate hole therethrough. A first portion of liquid passing up through the support plate aperture is horizontally deflected by the deflection plate and interacts with the extensions. A second portion of liquid passing up through the support plate aperture passes vertically up through the deflection plate hole(s).

Abstract: A composition is described that includes: (a) at least one alkali metal hydrogen sulfate anhydrous, such as sodium hydrogen sulfate anhydrous; (b) at least one salt, that is different than the alkali metal hydrogen sulfate anhydrous, which is selected from alkali metal salt and/or alkaline earth metal salt, such as sodium chloride and/or magnesium sulfate; and (c) optionally a colorant, in which the composition is in the form of a tablet. There is also described a method of forming a treated aqueous stream using the tablet composition. There is further described a method of forming a treated sanitizing aqueous stream that involves combining the treated aqueous stream with a feed sanitizing aqueous stream. In addition, there is described a method of sanitizing a surface that involves applying the treated sanitizing aqueous stream to a surface to be treated, such as animal carcass surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving and delivering a solution of a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, is described. The apparatus includes in combination: a container, a lid removably mounted on the upper end of the container, and a housing. In operation, the lid is mounted on the container, which contains solid chemical material, and both are inverted and placed on top of the housing. A nozzle within the housing extends through a hole in the lid into the internal space of the container such that dissolving fluid is charged into the container through the nozzle where it contacts the solid chemical material. A solution of chemical material is formed within the container and the solution drains through additional holes formed in the lid and is removed from the housing to a point of use.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and adjusting the level of free chlorine in an aqueous fluid is described. In the described method, first aqueous fluid (50) substantially free of free chlorine is introduced into a suitable mixing vessel (26) wherein it contacts a solid chemical material that is a source of free chlorine and chloride ion. Second aqueous fluid (58) containing free chlorine and chloride ion is removed from the mixing vessel and forwarded to a holding tank (10). The chloride ion concentration of second aqueous fluid in the holding tank is measured by a chloride ion specific sensor in probe housing (22), which sensor is in electrical contact with microprocessor (30). Microprocessor (30), in response to the chloride ion measurement, sends an output signal to valve control means 44, which if necessary increases or decreases the flow of first aqueous fluid into mixing vessel (26). Second aqueous fluid in holding tank (10) is forwarded by pump means (20) to the point of application.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and adjusting the level of free chlorine in an aqueous fluid is described. In the described method, first aqueous fluid (50) substantially free of free chlorine is introduced into a suitable mixing vessel (26) wherein it contacts a solid chemical material that is a source of free chlorine and chloride ion. Second aqueous fluid (58) containing free chlorine and chloride ion is removed from the mixing vessel and forwarded to a holding tank (10). The chloride ion concentration of second aqueous fluid in the holding tank is measured by a chloride ion specific sensor in probe housing (22), which sensor is in electrical contact with microprocessor (30). Microprocessor (30), in response to the chloride ion measurement, sends an output signal to valve control means 44, which if necessary increases or decreases the flow of first aqueous fluid into mixing vessel (26). Second aqueous fluid in holding tank (10) is forwarded by pump means (20) to the point of application.

Abstract: Describes a chemical feeder that supplies treating agents, e.g., calcium hypochlorite, to a liquid stream, e.g., an aqueous stream. The chemical feeder is operated in a substantially flooded condition to provide a useful and safe pressure feeder, and optionally uses cyclonic flow to be relatively self-cleaning. One or more tablet canisters are utilized within the substantially flooded interior of the chemical feeder, and expose the lowermost tablets to the turbulent flow outside of the tablet canister. A substantially uniform chemical distribution rate over tablet life is provided by the chemical feeder.

Abstract: Describes a method for dissolving a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, with a solvating liquid, e.g., water, in a chemical feeder operating under positive pressure wherein an inert gas, e.g., air, is injected into the solvating liquid, e.g., by use of an injector nozzle, and the resultant mixture of inert gas and solvating liquid is forwarded to the chemical feeder. Sufficient air is charged to the chemical feeder to limit the level of solvating liquid in the feeder and thereby limit the amount of solid chemical material contacted by the solvating liquid.

Abstract: Describes a method for dissolving a solid chemical material, such as calcium hypochlorite, with a solvating liquid, e.g., water, in a chemical feeder operating under positive pressure wherein an inert gas, e.g., air, is injected into the solvating liquid, e.g., by use of an injector nozzle, and the resultant mixture of inert gas and solvating liquid is forwarded to the chemical feeder. Sufficient air is charged to the chemical feeder to limit the level of solvating liquid in the feeder and thereby limit the amount of solid chemical material contacted by the solvating liquid.