System for reducing microbial levels on the hide of an animal

1 . A system for reducing microbial levels on a hide of an animal, comprising:

(a) means for stunning the animal, wherein the hide of the animal has a quantity of microorganisms on its hair;

(b) first means for contacting the hide of the animal with an alkaline solution having a pH of between about 8 and about 13;

(c) second means for contacting said hide of the animal with a second solution comprising at least one of water, an organic acid, and hydrogen peroxide; and

(d) means for reusing at least a portion of at least one of said alkaline solution or said second solution, said means for reusing operatively associated with said first means for contacting the hide of the animal with an alkaline solution.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising after said contacting step (b) and before said step (d) of reusing:

means for directing solids comprising hair to a drain; and

means for separating at least a portion of the solids from the liquid to generate a separated liquid that includes at least a portion of said alkaline solution.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein said means for separating comprises one or more of a filter, a screen, and a centrifuge.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the screen is one of a vibrating screen and a screen having a hydrophobic material associated therewith.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said first and second means for contacting do not cause any damage to the hide.

6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

means for combining a waste stream to form a combined waste stream comprising solids and a liquid, wherein the solids comprise hair:

means for separating at least a portion of the hair from the combined waste stream; and

means for reusing at least a portion of the combined waste stream, said means for reusing operatively associated with one of said first and second contacting means.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said first means for contacting comprises a plurality of nozzles.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one of plurality of nozzles is movable.

9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a heating means for said alkaline solution that heats said alkaline solution to a temperature of between about 90° F. and about 190° F.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said first means for contacting is operatively associated with one or more of a mechanical device selected from the group consisting of blades, combs, and brushes.