Design of a High-Voltage Pulse Generator in a Pulsed Electric Field for the Pasteurization Process of Randu Honey

Abstract

Realized a high-voltage pulse generator (HVPG) in a pulsed electric field (PEF). The honey pasteurization process with a PEF uses short electrical pulses to honey nectar through electrodes directed at a stirring rod, which deactivates spores and fungi. The PEF is a non-thermal technology for honey preservation. PEF is applied for vessels with a capacity of 80 liters to support micro, small, and medium enterprises; they have yet to make it so far. This study aimed to produce an HVPG design in randu honey preservation by controlling treatment time and specific input energy requirements. The modulation uses pulse width modulation (PWM) on a 50% duty cycle microcontroller. The first pasteurization was through a heating process for 60 minutes, followed by testing the effectiveness of PEF by adjusting the suitability of the processing time for 60 minutes. Measurement of the treatment time after the pasteurization process shows that the average voltage and current used are 25kV~40kV and 0.3A. The electric field strength sent to the stir bar is 0.33kV/cm. During the pasteurization process of randu honey, the temperature setting is gradually increased to 70°C, with the heating process for 60 minutes, and the process stops. The honey process continues to apply PEF for the temperature decreases to 24°C in the honey liquid. This aims to deactivate the spores and herbs without causing loss of the sensory and physical properties of the honey liquid.