Retort system and process

A retort system, comprising:

• a retort vessel defining an interior volume;
• a plurality of product holding structures received within the interior volume, each product holding structure defining an interior space containing multiple containerized products, each product holding structure comprising:
• one or more upper inlet openings that together define a first flow area for receiving heat exchange liquid into the interior space and a plurality of lower outlet openings that together define a second flow area for outflow of heat exchange liquid from the interior space, the second flow area being smaller than the first flow area for limiting flow of heat exchange liquid out of the interior space;
• a heat exchange liquid flow system that defines a heat exchange liquid circulation path with a pump, a distribution feed system at a downstream side of the pump and located above and engaged with a top of each product holding structure to direct heat exchange liquid down into each product holding structure, and a suction side upstream of the pump and connected to a sump region of the interior volume for intake of heat exchange liquid;
• a pressure sensor located in the liquid circulation path upstream of the plurality of holding structures and downstream of the pump;
• a pump controller for controlling the pump;
• wherein the pump controller is configured to operate the pump, based at least in part upon an output of the pressure sensor, such that:
• the pump moves heat exchange liquid through the distribution feed system down into each product holding structure causing each product holding structure to fill with heat exchange liquid to a submersion level that submerges the containerized products within the interior space, while heat exchange liquid exits the plurality of outlet openings of each product holding structure and into the sump region and is delivered back to the pump in a manner such that a level of heat exchange liquid outside the product holding structure and within the interior volume of the retort vessel remains below the submersion level;
• and
• a hydraulic pressure within each product holding structure is controlled via pump operation to be maintained higher than an overpressure within the interior volume of the vessel and outside the distribution feed system and the product holding structures.

A retort system, comprising:

• a retort vessel defining an interior volume;
• a product holding structure received within the interior volume, the product holding structure defining an interior space containing multiple containerized products, product holding structure comprising:
• one or more upper inlet openings that together define a first flow area for receiving heat exchange liquid into the interior space and a plurality of lower outlet openings that together define a second flow area for outflow of heat exchange liquid from the interior space, the second flow area being smaller than the first flow area for limiting flow of heat exchange liquid out of the interior space;
• a heat exchange liquid flow system that defines a heat exchange liquid circulation path with a pump, a distribution feed system at a downstream side of the pump and including at least one distribution plenum located above and engaged with a top of the product holding structure to direct heat exchange liquid down into the product holding structure, and a suction side upstream of the pump and connected to a sump region of the interior volume for intake of heat exchange liquid;
• a pressure sensor located in the liquid circulation path upstream of the plurality of holding structure and downstream of the pump;
• a pump controller for controlling the pump;
• wherein the pump controller is configured to operate the pump, based at least in part upon an output of the pressure sensor, such that:
• the pump moves heat exchange liquid through the distribution feed system down into the product holding structure causing the product holding structure to fill with heat exchange liquid to a submersion level that submerges the containerized products within the interior space, while heat exchange liquid exits the plurality of outlet openings of the product holding structure and into the sump region and is delivered back to the pump in a manner such that a level of heat exchange liquid outside the product holding structure and within the interior volume of the retort vessel remains below the submersion level;
• and
• a hydraulic pressure within the product holding structure is controlled via pump operation to be maintained in a pressure range higher than an overpressure within the interior volume of the vessel and outside the at least one distribution plenum and the product holding structure.