Method and apparatus for continuous heat sterilization of liquid

Abstract

A method for continuous heat sterilization of liquid includes a continuous pre-heating step of preheating the liquid, a final heating step of heating the preheated liquid to reach a predetermined sterilizing temperature, a holding step of holding the liquid which has reached the predetermined sterilizing temperature for a predetermined period of time, and a cooling step of cooling the held liquid. The final heating step comprises the following steps (a) and (b): (a) a step of continuously pressurizing the liquid by a high pressure pump; and (b) a step of releasing the liquid continuously to a normal pressure within a time period of less than 10 seconds after the pressurizing step to thereby make the liquid reach the predetermined sterilizing temperature. An apparatus for automatically carrying out the method is provided. According to the continuous heat sterilization method and apparatus, scorch during the final heating step is dispensed with and accordingly, a long period of continuous operation is feasible. Furthermore, denaturation of liquid caused by heating is inconsiderable, investment cost and running cost become inexpensive, and a large amount of liquid can be processed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.