Heat sterilization device, object to be sterilized, and heat sterilization method

Abstract

This heat sterilization device (100) is provided with a sterilization tank (1) having an accommodation space (1d) in which an object to be sterilized (Rp) to be subjected to heat sterilization by means of a high-temperature fluid (Hth) is accommodated. A high-temperature fluid (Hth) for heating and sterilizing the object to be sterilized (Rp) and cooling water (Cw) for cooling the object to be sterilized (Rp) heated and sterilized by the high-temperature fluid (Hth) can be supplied to the sterilization tank. A heat sterilization device (100) is provided with a control unit (12) that performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control in which medium-temperature water (Htm) that is generated separately from a high-temperature fluid (Hth) and that has a temperature higher than the temperature of the cooling water (Cw) and lower than the temperature of the high-temperature fluid (Hth) is used before the object (Rp) to be sterilized is cooled with the cooling water (Cw). The heat of the sterilization tank (1) after heating sterilization is recovered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heating sterilization apparatus, a sterilization target, and a heating sterilization method. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, there are known heat sterilization devices that sterilize objects by heating. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-69948 discloses such a heat sterilization device.

[0003] In the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-69948, a cooking sterilization apparatus (heat sterilization apparatus) for heating and sterilizing an object to be sterilized (the object to be sterilized) was disclosed.

[0004] The cooking sterilization apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-69948 includes a sterilization tank, a warm water tank, a cold water tank, a water supply tank, a spray nozzle, a heat exchanger, and a control device (control unit). The sterilization tank contains the object to be sterilized. The warm water tank stores warm water to be sprayed from the spray nozzle. To heat and sterilize the object contained in the sterilization tank, the spray nozzle heats the warm water supplied from the warm water tank to a sterilization temperature and then sprays it into the sterilization tank as a jet of water (high-temperature fluid). Here, in the cooking sterilization apparatus, after heating and sterilization with the high-temperature jet of water, the warm water supplied from the warm water tank is cooled by heat exchange with water supplied from the water supply tank in the heat exchanger to lower its temperature to a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, in the cooking sterilization apparatus, the warm water that has cooled to the predetermined temperature is returned to the warm water tank. Subsequently, in the cooking sterilization device, in order to cool the heated sterilized object and the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization, cooling water supplied from the cold water tank is sprayed into the sterilization tank as a jet of water.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-69948 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in the cooking sterilization apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-69948, the temperature of the warm water, which is heated to the high-temperature sterilization temperature, decreases through heat exchange with the low-temperature cold water in the heat exchanger before being returned to the warm water tank. Therefore, in the cooking sterilization apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-69948, there is a problem that the time required to heat the warm water (high-temperature fluid) to the sterilization temperature during the next sterilization cycle after heat recovery is longer.

[0010] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems. One object of the present invention is to provide a heating sterilization device, a sterilization object, and a heating sterilization method, which can suppress the increase in the time required to heat the high-temperature fluid to the heating sterilization temperature during the next heating sterilization after heat recovery.

[0011] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0012] The heating sterilization apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention includes: a sterilization tank having a housing space therein for housing an object to be sterilized by heating with a high-temperature fluid, and capable of supplying the sterilization tank with a high-temperature fluid for heating and sterilizing the object and cooling water for cooling the object after it has been sterilized by the high-temperature fluid; and a control unit that performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the object with cooling water, wherein medium-temperature water, which is generated separately from the high-temperature fluid and has a temperature higher than that of the cooling water and lower than that of the high-temperature fluid, is used to recover the heat from the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization.

[0013] In the heating sterilization apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, a control unit is provided. Before cooling the object to be sterilized with cooling water, this control unit performs heat recovery control using medium-temperature water, which is separately generated from the high-temperature fluid and has a temperature higher than the cooling water but lower than the temperature of the high-temperature fluid, to recover the heat of the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization. Therefore, by using medium-temperature water separately generated from the high-temperature fluid for heat recovery of the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization, the temperature of the high-temperature fluid cannot decrease. Thus, during the next heating and sterilization after heat recovery, the time required to raise the high-temperature fluid to the heating and sterilization temperature can be prevented from becoming longer. Furthermore, before cooling the object to be sterilized with cooling water, the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization can be cooled with medium-temperature water, which has a temperature higher than the cooling water. Therefore, after heating and sterilization, rapid temperature changes (rapid temperature drops) in the sterilization tank can be suppressed. As a result, the degree of expansion and contraction of the sterilization tank can be reduced. Therefore, unlike cases where large expansion and contraction occur repeatedly, the increase in metal fatigue caused by thermal stress can be suppressed, and the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank (shortened lifespan) can be suppressed.

[0014] In the heating and sterilization apparatus of the first aspect described above, the control unit is preferably configured to perform medium-temperature water heat recovery control after the high-temperature fluid that has undergone heating and sterilization has been discharged from the sterilization tank. Based on this configuration, heat recovery of the high-temperature fluid is performed by discharging the high-temperature fluid, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated heat exchangers and water supply tanks for heat recovery of the high-temperature fluid, and thus preventing the increase in the size of the apparatus caused by heat recovery of the high-temperature fluid.

[0015] In the heating sterilization apparatus of the first aspect described above, it is preferable to further include a medium-temperature water tank for storing medium-temperature water. The control unit is configured to perform medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the object to be sterilized with cooling water, using medium-temperature water supplied from the medium-temperature water tank to recover the heat from the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization, and to store the medium-temperature water used in the medium-temperature water heat recovery control in the medium-temperature water tank. Based on this configuration, by storing medium-temperature water in the medium-temperature water tank, medium-temperature water can be easily supplied to the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization during heat recovery, and the medium-temperature water used for heat recovery is not discharged but stored in the medium-temperature water tank, thereby making it easy to reuse the heat recovered from heat recovery.

[0016] In this case, the preferred control unit is configured to preheat the sterilization tank using medium-temperature water that has been heated and stored in a medium-temperature water tank during medium-temperature water heat recovery control, before heating the object to be sterilized with a high-temperature fluid. Based on this configuration, by using medium-temperature water that is used and heated during heat recovery to preheat the sterilization tank, the initial temperature of the sterilization tank at the start of heating sterilization can be increased. Therefore, compared to the case without preheating, the amount of heat transferred to the high-temperature fluid during the temperature rise to the temperature for heating sterilization can be reduced. In other words, by using medium-temperature water, the heat from heat recovery can be effectively utilized for preheating. As a result, when preheating is performed, the thermal energy required in the heating sterilization device can be reduced, and thus the amount of (high-temperature) steam used for heating the high-temperature water can be correspondingly reduced.

[0017] In the heating and sterilization apparatus configured with a control unit for preheating the sterilization tank using medium-temperature water, it is preferable to further include a first connection path connecting the sterilization tank and the medium-temperature water tank. The control unit is configured to control the recovery and storage of the medium-temperature water from the sterilization tank after heat recovery in the medium-temperature water tank via the first connection path, and to control the supply of medium-temperature water to the sterilization tank via the first connection path during preheating. Based on this configuration, the storage of the medium-temperature water after heat recovery in the medium-temperature water tank and the supply of medium-temperature water from the medium-temperature water tank to the sterilization tank during preheating can be easily performed using the first connection path.

[0018] In the heating sterilization apparatus configured with a control unit for preheating the sterilization tank using medium-temperature water, the control unit is preferably configured to control the release of medium-temperature water supplied from the medium-temperature water tank to the object to be sterilized during both the preheating and heat recovery of the sterilization tank. Based on this configuration, during preheating of the sterilization tank, by contacting the released medium-temperature water with the object to be sterilized, the temperature of the medium-temperature water can be lowered. Because the cooled medium-temperature water contacts the sterilization tank, rapid temperature changes in the low-temperature sterilization tank during preheating can be suppressed. Furthermore, during heat recovery of the sterilization tank, by contacting the released medium-temperature water with the object to be sterilized, the temperature of the medium-temperature water is increased. This raised temperature water contacts the sterilization tank, thus suppressing rapid temperature changes in the high-temperature sterilization tank during heat recovery. Therefore, in both the preheating and heat recovery of the sterilization tank, the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank caused by the increase in thermal stress due to rapid temperature changes can be suppressed.

[0019] In the heating sterilization apparatus of the first aspect described above, it is preferable to further include: a high-temperature water tank that recovers and stores high-temperature water as a high-temperature fluid stored in the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization; and a second connecting path that connects the sterilization tank and the high-temperature water tank to each other. The control unit is configured to perform medium-temperature water heat recovery control of the sterilization tank after the high-temperature water discharged from the sterilization tank is recovered into the high-temperature water tank via the second connecting path after the heating and sterilization of the sterilized object is completed. Based on this configuration, by recovering the high-temperature water in the sterilization tank via the dedicated second connecting path that connects the sterilization tank and the high-temperature water tank to each other, it is possible to prevent the heat of the high-temperature water from being lost after the heating and sterilization control, thereby suppressing the temperature drop of the high-temperature water recovered into the high-temperature water tank.

[0020] In the heating and sterilization apparatus equipped with the aforementioned medium-temperature water tank, it is preferable to further include: a heat-conducting fluid supply unit that supplies a heat-conducting fluid capable of being heated by medium-temperature water; and a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the medium-temperature water stored in the medium-temperature water tank and the heat-conducting fluid supplied from the heat-conducting fluid supply unit. The control unit is configured to control the supply of heat-conducting fluid, whose temperature has increased due to heat exchange with the medium-temperature water in the heat exchanger, to the sterilization tank during preheating, and to control the supply of heat-conducting fluid, whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange with the medium-temperature water in the heat exchanger, to the sterilization tank during heat recovery. Based on this configuration, compared to directly supplying medium-temperature water to the sterilization tank, the preheating temperature of the sterilization tank can be lowered during preheating, thus further suppressing rapid temperature changes in the sterilization tank.

[0021] In the heating sterilization apparatus of the first aspect described above, it is preferable to further include a circulation path including a circulation pump, which discharges cooling water, high-temperature fluid, and medium-temperature water from the sterilization tank and circulates them back to the sterilization tank. The control unit is configured to use the circulation pump to circulate the medium-temperature water to the sterilization tank via the circulation path for medium-temperature water heat recovery control. Based on this configuration, the circulation paths used in heating sterilization control and cooling control can be shared in heat recovery control, thus suppressing the complexity and large size of the structure caused by increasing the path of the heating sterilization apparatus.

[0022] The second aspect of the present invention relates to a sterile object subjected to heat sterilization treatment by a heat sterilization device, the heat sterilization device comprising: a sterilization tank having a housing space therein for housing the sterile object to be sterilized by heat sterilization using a high-temperature fluid, and capable of supplying the sterilization tank with a high-temperature fluid for heat sterilization of the sterile object and cooling water for cooling the sterile object after heat sterilization by the high-temperature fluid; and a control unit that performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the sterile object with cooling water, wherein medium-temperature water, which has a temperature higher than that of the cooling water and lower than that of the high-temperature fluid and is separately generated from the high-temperature fluid, is used to recover the heat from the sterilization tank after heat sterilization.

[0023] The second aspect of the present invention pertains to a sterilization object, as described above, which is subjected to heat sterilization by a heat sterilization apparatus. This heat sterilization apparatus includes a control unit that, before cooling the sterilization object with cooling water, uses medium-temperature water (temperature higher than the cooling water but lower than the high-temperature fluid) to perform heat recovery control on the sterilization tank after heat sterilization. Therefore, by using medium-temperature water separately generated from the high-temperature fluid for heat recovery of the sterilization tank after heat sterilization, the temperature of the high-temperature fluid is prevented from decreasing. This provides a sterilization object subjected to heat sterilization by a heat sterilization apparatus that, during the next heat sterilization after heat recovery, can suppress the increase in the time required to heat the high-temperature fluid to the sterilization temperature and suppress the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank caused by the increase in thermal stress due to rapid temperature changes.

[0024] The third aspect of the present invention includes a heating sterilization method comprising: supplying a high-temperature fluid to a sterilization tank that is heated and sterilized by a high-temperature fluid to heat and sterilize the object to be sterilized inside the sterilization tank; performing heat recovery of the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization by using medium-temperature water, which has a temperature higher than that of the cooling water and lower than that of the high-temperature fluid, before cooling the object to be sterilized with cooling water; and cooling the object to be sterilized after heating and sterilization with cooling water after performing heat recovery of the sterilization tank.

[0025] In the heating sterilization method of the third aspect of the present invention, as described above, a step is provided in which, before cooling the object to be sterilized with cooling water, heat recovery of the sterilization tank after heating sterilization is performed using medium-temperature water (temperature higher than the cooling water but lower than the temperature of the high-temperature fluid). Therefore, by using medium-temperature water separately generated from the high-temperature fluid for heat recovery of the sterilization tank after heating sterilization, the temperature of the high-temperature fluid cannot be reduced. Thus, a heating sterilization method can be provided that, in the next heating sterilization after heat recovery, can suppress the increase in the time required to heat the high-temperature fluid to the sterilization temperature, and can suppress the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank caused by the increase in thermal stress due to rapid temperature changes.

[0026] In the aforementioned third aspect of the heat sterilization method, it is preferable to further include a step of preheating the sterilization tank using medium-temperature water that has been heated during heat recovery of the sterilization tank before supplying the high-temperature fluid used for heat sterilization to the sterilization tank. Based on this configuration, by using medium-temperature water heated during heat recovery to preheat the sterilization tank, the initial temperature of the sterilization tank at the start of heat sterilization can be increased. Therefore, compared to the case where preheating is not performed, the amount of heat transferred to the high-temperature fluid during the temperature rise to the temperature for heat sterilization can be reduced. In other words, by using medium-temperature water, the heat recovered from heat recovery can be effectively utilized for preheating. As a result, when preheating is performed, the increase in the heat energy required in the heat sterilization apparatus can be suppressed.

[0027] Invention Effects

[0028] According to the present invention, as described above, during the next heating sterilization after heat recovery, it is possible to suppress the increase in the time required to raise the temperature to the high-temperature fluid's sterilization temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the general idea of ​​the preheating process in the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment, in which the heat recovered through heat recovery is used for the next heating sterilization control.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a graph showing the relationship between the heating sterilization control time and the temperature change of the sterilization tank in the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a graph showing the relationship between the heating sterilization control time and the temperature change of the sterilization tank in the comparative example heating sterilization device.

[0033] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating the preparation of high-temperature water before the feeding process of the heating sterilization apparatus in this embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the preparation of medium-temperature water before the feeding process of the heating sterilization apparatus in this embodiment.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the feeding process in the heat sterilization control of the heat sterilization apparatus of this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the medium-temperature water injection step in the preheating process of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 7 The diagram shows the medium-temperature water injection process in the feeding process.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the medium-temperature water circulation process in the preheating step of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 8 The diagram shows the medium-temperature water circulation process within the medium-temperature water injection process.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the medium-temperature water recovery process in the preheating step of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 9 The diagram shows the medium-temperature water recovery process within the medium-temperature water circulation process.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the high-temperature water injection process in the object heating process of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 10 The diagram shows the high-temperature water injection process in the medium-temperature water recovery process.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the heating process and the sterilization process of the object heating process in the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It shows the subsequent... Figure 11 The diagram shows the heating process of the high-temperature water injection process.

[0041] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of recovering high-temperature water to a high-temperature water tank for heat recovery in the high-temperature water heat recovery process of the heat sterilization control of the heat sterilization apparatus in this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 12 The diagram shows the high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process of the heating process.

[0042] Figure 14This is a schematic diagram illustrating the medium-temperature water injection process in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 13 The diagram shows the intermediate-temperature water injection process in the high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process.

[0043] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the medium-temperature water circulation process within the medium-temperature water heat recovery process of the heating sterilization control in the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 14 The diagram shows the medium-temperature water circulation process within the medium-temperature water injection process.

[0044] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the medium-temperature water recovery process in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It shows the subsequent... Figure 15 The diagram shows the medium-temperature water recovery process within the medium-temperature water circulation process.

[0045] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the cooling water injection process in the object cooling process of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 16 The diagram shows the cooling water injection process in the medium-temperature water recovery process.

[0046] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the cooling process of the object cooling process in the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It shows the subsequent... Figure 17 The diagram shows the cooling process of the cooling water injection process.

[0047] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the cooling water recovery process in the object cooling process of the heating sterilization control of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment. It also shows the subsequent... Figure 18 The diagram shows the cooling water recovery process in the cooling process.

[0048] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the feeding process in the heat sterilization control of the heat sterilization apparatus of this embodiment.

[0049] Figure 21 This is a graph comparing the heat sterilization control chart of the comparative example heat sterilization apparatus with the heat sterilization control chart of the present embodiment.

[0050] Figure 22 This is a flowchart illustrating the heating sterilization method of the heating sterilization apparatus of this embodiment.

[0051] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the object heating process in the storage water type heating sterilization device of the first variation of this embodiment.

[0052] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the object heating process in the steam-type heating sterilization apparatus of the second variation of this embodiment.

[0053] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a heating sterilization apparatus of the third variation of this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Reference Figures 1-22 The structure of the heating sterilization device 100 in this embodiment will be explained.

[0056] (Heating and sterilization device)

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the heat sterilization apparatus 100 of this embodiment is, for example, a spray-type apparatus that sterilizes both the food and the retort pouch Rp by heating it with high-temperature water Hth. Furthermore, the retort pouch Rp containing the food is an example of the "sterilization target" described in the claimed claims. Additionally, the high-temperature water Hth is an example of the "high-temperature fluid" described in the claimed claims.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, the spray-type heating sterilization device 100 of this embodiment includes: a sterilization tank 1, a spray nozzle 2, a high-temperature water tank 3, a medium-temperature water tank 4, a circulation path 5, a supply path 6, a discharge path 7, a discharge path 8, a supply path 9, a discharge path 10, a heat exchanger 11, and a control unit 12.

[0059] (Sterilization tank)

[0060] The sterilization tank 1 is a sealed container that uses high-temperature water Hth to heat and sterilize the retort pouches Rp, and uses cooling water Cw to cool the sterilized retort pouches Rp. Additionally, medium-temperature water Htm is supplied to the sterilization tank 1 for preheating and heat recovery of the retort pouches Rp, respectively. Here, medium-temperature water Htm is water separately generated from the high-temperature water Hth, having a temperature higher than the cooling water Cw and lower than the high-temperature water Hth. The preheating and heat recovery using medium-temperature water Htm will be described in detail later. The sterilization tank 1 includes an inlet / outlet door 1a, a temperature sensor 1b, a water level sensor 1c, a receiving space 1d, and a storage space 1e.

[0061] The inlet / outlet door 1a is a door that is opened and closed by the user when trays Tr carrying multiple retort pouches Rp are stacked in multiple layers and are fed into and out of sterilization tank 1. The temperature sensor 1b is a sensor used to measure the temperature inside sterilization tank 1. The water level sensor 1c is a sensor used to measure the water levels of high-temperature water Hth, medium-temperature water Htm, and cooling water Cw stored in storage space 1e. The receiving space 1d is a space that internally houses the retort pouches Rp that are sterilized using high-temperature water Hth. The storage space 1e is a space used to store high-temperature water Hth, medium-temperature water Htm, and cooling water Cw during preheating, sterilization, heat recovery, and cooling, respectively. The storage space 1e is located in receiving space 1d below the lowest tray Tr in the stacked trays Tr.

[0062] (Spray nozzle)

[0063] In this embodiment, the spray nozzles 2 of the spray-type heating sterilization device 100 are configured to release high-temperature water Hth, medium-temperature water Htm, and cooling water Cw into the sterilization tank 1, respectively. Each spray nozzle 2 includes multiple spray ports 2a. These multiple spray ports 2a are respectively arranged corresponding to the positions of multiple stacked trays Tr. Thus, the high-temperature water Hth, medium-temperature water Htm, and cooling water Cw released from the spray nozzles 2 are released towards the retort bag Rp placed on the tray Tr. Multiple spray nozzles 2 with this structure are arranged inside the sterilization tank 1.

[0064] (High-temperature water tank)

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the high-temperature water tank 3 is a water tank that recovers and stores high-temperature water Hth, which is the high-temperature fluid after heating and sterilization stored in the sterilization tank 1. The high-temperature water tank 3 has a warm water storage space capable of storing the high-temperature water Hth in a capacity equal to the sum of the capacity of the storage space 1e, the capacity of the circulation path 5, and the capacity of the supply path 6. The high-temperature water tank 3 includes a temperature sensor 3a and a water level sensor 3b. The temperature sensor 3a is a sensor used to measure the temperature inside the high-temperature water tank 3. The water level sensor 3b is a sensor used to measure the water level of the high-temperature water Hth stored in the warm water storage space.

[0066] (Medium-temperature water tank)

[0067] In this embodiment, the medium-temperature water tank 4 is a water tank that recovers and stores the preheated and heat-recovered medium-temperature water (Htm) stored in the sterilization tank 1. The medium-temperature water tank 4 has a medium-temperature water storage space capable of storing medium-temperature water (Htm) with the combined capacity of the storage space 1e, the circulation path 5, and the supply path 6. For example... Figure 1As shown, the medium-temperature water tank 4 includes a temperature sensor 4a and a water level sensor 4b. The temperature sensor 4a is used to measure the temperature inside the medium-temperature water tank 4. The water level sensor 4b is used to measure the water level (Htm) of the medium-temperature water stored in the medium-temperature water storage space.

[0068] (Loop path)

[0069] like Figure 1 As shown, circulation path 5 is the path through which cooling water Cw, high-temperature water Hth, and medium-temperature water Htm discharged from sterilization tank 1 return to sterilization tank 1 via heat exchanger 11. Circulation path 5 includes discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream side pipe 5c, downstream side pipe 5d, temperature sensor 5e, circulation pump 5f, and flow path switching valve 5g.

[0070] Discharge pipes 5a and 5b respectively discharge cooling water Cw, high-temperature water Hth, and medium-temperature water Htm stored in storage space 1e. Upstream pipe 5c connects heat exchanger 11 to discharge pipes 5a and 5b respectively. Downstream pipe 5d connects heat exchanger 11 and sterilization tank 1. Circulation pump 5f discharges cooling water Cw, high-temperature water Hth, and medium-temperature water Htm from sterilization tank 1 and circulates them back to sterilization tank 1. Additionally, circulation pump 5f returns high-temperature water Hth discharged from sterilization tank 1 to high-temperature water tank 3. Circulation pump 5f also returns medium-temperature water Htm discharged from sterilization tank 1 to medium-temperature water tank 4. Flow path switching valve 5g is used to switch the flow paths of cooling water Cw, high-temperature water Hth, and medium-temperature water Htm.

[0071] (Supply path)

[0072] Supply path 6 is a pipeline that branches off from circulation path 5 and supplies high-temperature water Hth to high-temperature water tank 3. Additionally, supply path 6 branches off from circulation path 5 and supplies medium-temperature water Htm to medium-temperature water tank 4. Supply path 6 includes a common pipeline 6a, branch pipelines 6b and 6c, a flow path switching valve 6d, and a flow path switching valve 6e. Common pipeline 6a is connected to circulation path 5 and is shared by high-temperature water tank 3 and medium-temperature water tank 4. Branch pipeline 6b branches off from common pipeline 6a and connects to high-temperature water tank 3. Branch pipeline 6c branches off from common pipeline 6a and connects to medium-temperature water tank 4.

[0073] (Exhaustion path)

[0074] Discharge path 7 is a pipeline connecting high-temperature water tank 3 (Hth) to circulation path 5 to allow high-temperature water to flow into circulation path 5. Discharge path 7 includes a connecting pipe 7a and a flow path switching valve 7b. Discharge path 8 is a pipeline connecting medium-temperature water tank 4 (Htm) to circulation path 5 to allow medium-temperature water tank 4 (Htm) to flow into circulation path 5. Discharge path 8 includes a connecting pipe 8a and a flow path switching valve 8b.

[0075] Here, the common pipe 6a of circulation path 5 and supply path 6, as well as the branch pipe 6c and the connecting pipe 8a of discharge path 8, are examples of a "first connection path" within the scope of the claim that connects sterilization tank 1 and medium-temperature water tank 4. Furthermore, the common pipe 6a of circulation path 5 and supply path 6, as well as the branch pipe 6b and the connecting pipe 8a of discharge path 8, are examples of a "second connection path" within the scope of the claim that connects sterilization tank 1 and high-temperature water tank 3. Additionally, cooling water Cw supplied from the cooling water source 200 in the factory equipped with the heating sterilization device 100 flows into circulation path 5. The cooling water Cw is supplied to the upstream portion of the upstream pipe 5c relative to the circulation pump 5f.

[0076] (Supply path)

[0077] Supply path 9 is a path that connects the steam inlet 301 of the boiler equipment in the factory equipped with the heating and sterilization device 100 and the cooling water inlet 401 of the cooling water source to the heat exchanger 11. Supply path 9 includes a common pipe 9a, a connecting pipe 9b, a flow path switching valve 9c, and a flow path switching valve 9d.

[0078] (Exhaustion path)

[0079] The discharge path 10 is a path that connects the steam drain pipe 302 and the cooling water outlet 402, which are installed in the factory equipped with the heating sterilization device 100, to the heat exchanger 11. The discharge path 10 includes a common pipe 10a, a connecting pipe 10b, a flow path switching valve 10c, a flow path switching valve 10d, and a steam trap 10e.

[0080] (Heat exchanger)

[0081] like Figure 1 As shown, heat exchanger 11 is a component that heats cooling water Cw and high-temperature water Hth by exchanging heat between the cooling water Cw flowing in the circulation path 5 and the steam flowing in from the steam inlet 301. Heat exchanger 11 is a component that cools cooling water Cw by exchanging heat between the cooling water Cw flowing in the circulation path 5 and the cooling water flowing in from the cooling water inlet 401.

[0082] (Control Department)

[0083] The control unit 12 is configured to control the heating sterilization device 100. The control unit 12 includes a storage unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit stores a heating sterilization program that controls the feeding and unfeeding of the retort pouch Rp in the heating sterilization device 100, as well as the heating sterilization, cooling, preheating, and heat recovery of the retort pouch Rp.

[0084] The control unit 12 is electrically connected to temperature sensor 1b, water level sensor 1c, temperature sensor 3a, water level sensor 3b, temperature sensor 4a, water level sensor 4b, temperature sensor 5e, circulating pump 5f, flow path switching valve 5g, flow path switching valve 6d, flow path switching valve 6e, flow path switching valve 7b, flow path switching valve 8b, flow path switching valve 9c, flow path switching valve 9d, flow path switching valve 10c, and flow path switching valve 10d, respectively. In addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the control unit 12 is also electrically connected to flow measurement sensors and pressure sensors.

[0085] Based on the necessary measurement information from various sensors, the control unit 12 controls the feeding and discharging of the retort pouch Rp, as well as the heating, sterilization, cooling, preheating, and heat recovery of the retort pouch Rp.

[0086] (An overview of the operation control of the heating sterilization device in this embodiment)

[0087] First, refer to Figure 2 The general outline (concept) of the operation control (hereinafter referred to as "heat sterilization control") of the heating sterilization apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be explained.

[0088] like Figure 2 As shown, the heating sterilization control in this embodiment includes a series of processes: a preheating process, an object heating process, a high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process, a medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process, and an object cooling process. In the heating sterilization control of this embodiment, the total amount of heat energy required for multiple heating sterilization control processes comprising this series of processes is reduced.

[0089] Specifically, before the heating process of the object, a preheating process is performed to heat the low-temperature sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized). In this preheating process, the amount of heat taken away by the sterilization tank 1 from the high-temperature water Hth during the object heating process is reduced, and the high-temperature water Hth is used to easily raise the temperature of the retort pouch Rp to the heating sterilization temperature Tst for heating sterilization.

[0090] In the heating sterilization control of this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the medium-temperature water Htm, which was heated to approximately 90°C by heat recovery in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process after being heated and sterilized at a high temperature in the first heating sterilization control, is used for preheating in the second heating sterilization control, thereby reducing the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm from approximately 90°C to approximately 50°C. Furthermore, the heat recovered in the second heating sterilization control is used for preheating in the third heating sterilization control, and this process of utilizing recovered heat is repeated in subsequent heating sterilization control processes.

[0091] Therefore, since the heat energy required for preheating is originally obtained from the high-temperature sterilization tank 1 and the retort bag Rp (sterilized object) through the cooling water Cw during the object cooling process, the total amount of heat energy required for multiple heat sterilization controls involving a series of processes is reduced.

[0092] (Details of the heating sterilization control in this embodiment)

[0093] The following is for reference Figures 3-22 The details of the heating and sterilization control of the preheating process and the medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process, which include this embodiment, will be explained.

[0094] like Figure 3 As shown, the heating sterilization control in this embodiment involves sequentially controlling the feeding process, preheating process (preheating control), object heating process (object heating and sterilization control), high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process (high-temperature hydrothermal recovery control), medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process (medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery control), object cooling process (object cooling control), and discharge process. The preheating process includes each step of the medium-temperature water injection process, the medium-temperature water circulation process, and the medium-temperature water recovery process. The object heating process includes each step of the high-temperature water injection process, the heating process, and the heating sterilization process. The medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process includes each step of the medium-temperature water injection process, the medium-temperature water circulation process, and the medium-temperature water recovery process. The object cooling process includes each step of the cooling water supply process, the cooling process, and the cooling water recovery process.

[0095] Compared to the heat sterilization control of this embodiment, which includes the above-described steps, in Figure 4In the comparative example (equivalent to the existing example), the heating sterilization control includes control over the feeding and discharging processes of the retort pouch, as well as control over the heating sterilization process, the high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process, and the cooling process of the retort pouch. That is, the heating sterilization device used in this comparative example does not have a medium-temperature tank for storing medium-temperature water, and it does not control the preheating and heat recovery of the medium-temperature water.

[0096] In this embodiment, the preheating step and the medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery step are structurally different because they are absent in the comparative example's heating sterilization control. A detailed explanation will follow.

[0097] <Preparation of warm water>

[0098] First, such as Figure 5 As shown, high-temperature water (Hth) is prepared in advance before being fed into the process.

[0099] Specifically, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the warm water preparation circulation path Ci1 by closing flow path switching valves 5g, 6e, and 8b, and opening flow path switching valves 6d and 7b. Furthermore, the control unit 12 circulates cooling water Cw supplied from the cooling water source 200 through the circulation pump 5f in the warm water preparation circulation path Ci1, simultaneously heating the circulating cooling water Cw through heat exchange with steam in the heat exchanger 11, thereby controlling the preparation of high-temperature water Hth. Here, the warm water preparation circulation path Ci1 includes an upstream pipe 5c, a downstream pipe 5d, a common pipe 6a, a branch pipe 6b, a connecting pipe 7a, and a connecting pipe 8a. In the warm water preparation circulation path Ci1, the cooling water Cw flows in the order of connecting pipe 7a, connecting pipe 8a, upstream pipe 5c, downstream pipe 5d, common pipe 6a, and branch pipe 6b.

[0100] <Preparation of medium-temperature water>

[0101] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown, medium-temperature water (Htm) is prepared before being fed into the process.

[0102] Specifically, after preparing high-temperature water Hth, the control unit 12 closes flow path switching valves 5g, 6d, and 7b, and opens flow path switching valves 6e and 8b, thereby controlling the formation of the medium-temperature water preparation circulation path Ci2. Furthermore, the control unit 12 uses a circulation pump 5f to circulate cooling water Cw supplied from the cooling water source 200 in the medium-temperature water preparation circulation path Ci2, while simultaneously heating the circulating cooling water Cw through heat exchange with steam in the heat exchanger 11, thereby controlling the preparation of medium-temperature (approximately 90°C) water Htm. Here, the medium-temperature water preparation circulation path Ci2 includes an upstream pipe 5c, a downstream pipe 5d, a common pipe 6a, a branch pipe 6c, and a connecting pipe 8a. In the medium-temperature water preparation circulation path Ci2, the cooling water Cw flows in the order of connecting pipe 8a, upstream pipe 5c, downstream pipe 5d, common pipe 6a and branch pipe 6c.

[0103] <Feeding process>

[0104] like Figure 7 As shown, after preparing medium-temperature water Htm and high-temperature water Hth, the feeding process is carried out. In the feeding process, the tray Tr containing multiple retort bags Rp is stacked in multiple layers and fed into the sterilization tank 1 by the user's operation.

[0105] <Preheating process>

[0106] like Figure 8 As shown, before heating and sterilizing the retort pouch Rp with high-temperature water Hth, the control unit 12 controls the preheating of the sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp with medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4. Therefore, by preheating the sterilization tank 1 with medium-temperature water Htm before injecting high-temperature water Hth, the rapid temperature change Tch1 of the sterilization tank 1 is suppressed (see reference). Figure 4 (Comparative example).

[0107] Specifically, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the medium-temperature water injection path Sp1 by closing the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, and 7b, and opening the flow path switching valves 5g and 8b. Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the injection of medium-temperature water Htm from the medium-temperature water tank 4 into the sterilization tank 1 via the medium-temperature water injection path Sp1 using the circulating pump 5f (medium-temperature water injection process (see...)). Figure 3 Here, the medium-temperature water injection path Sp1 has an upstream pipe 5c, a downstream pipe 5d, and a connecting pipe 8a. In the medium-temperature water injection path Sp1, the medium-temperature water Htm flows in the order of connecting pipe 8a, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d.

[0108] In this way, the control unit 12 controls the supply of medium-temperature water Htm to the sterilization tank 1 via the upstream side pipe 5c, the downstream side pipe 5d and the connecting pipe 8a during preheating.

[0109] like Figure 9 As shown, after the medium-temperature water Htm is injected, the control unit 12 closes the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, 7b, and 8b, and opens the flow path switching valve 5g, thereby controlling the formation of the medium-temperature water circulation path Ci3. Furthermore, the control unit 12 performs preheating control by circulating the medium-temperature water Htm through the medium-temperature water circulation path Ci3 to the sterilization tank 1 using the circulation pump 5f, without heat exchange in the heat exchanger 11. (See the medium-temperature water circulation process...) Figure 3 Here, the medium-temperature water circulation path Ci3 includes circulation path 5 (discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d). In the medium-temperature water circulation path Ci3, the medium-temperature water Htm flows in the order of discharge pipes 5a and 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d.

[0110] At this time, during the preheating of the sterilization tank 1, the control unit 12 controls the release of medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 to the retort pouch Rp. Here, in the preheating process, the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm decreases to the preheated temperature (approximately 50°C) by transferring heat to the sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp.

[0111] like Figure 10 As shown, after circulating the medium-temperature water Htm for a specified period of time, the control unit 12 controls the recovery of the preheated medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 to the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re1 for storage.

[0112] Specifically, after circulating the medium-temperature water Htm for a specified period of time, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the medium-temperature water recovery path Re1 by closing the flow path switching valves 5g, 6d, 7b, and 8b, and opening the flow path switching valve 6e. Furthermore, the control unit 12 performs recovery control by using the circulation pump 5f to recover the medium-temperature water Htm into the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re1 (see Medium-temperature Water Recovery Process (Ref. 1)). Figure 3 Here, the medium-temperature water recovery circuit Re1 includes discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream side pipe 5c, downstream side pipe 5d, common pipe 6a, and branch pipe 6c. In the medium-temperature water recovery circuit Re1, the medium-temperature water Htm flows in the following order: discharge pipes 5a and 5b respectively, upstream side pipe 5c, downstream side pipe 5d, common pipe 6a, and branch pipe 6c.

[0113] Furthermore, after the control unit 12 recovers the medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 into the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re1, it performs the object heating process of the retort bag Rp. At this time, the water level sensor 1c confirms that the medium-temperature water Htm has been discharged from the sterilization tank 1, thereby preventing the temperature of the high-temperature water Hth from decreasing due to the medium-temperature water Htm.

[0114] <Object heating process>

[0115] like Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, after the control unit 12 preheats the retort pouch Rp with medium-temperature water Htm, it controls the use of high-temperature water Hth supplied from the high-temperature water tank 3 to heat and sterilize the retort pouch Rp.

[0116] Specifically, such as Figure 11 As shown, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the warm water injection path Sp2 by closing the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, and 8b, and opening the flow path switching valves 5g and 7b. Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the injection of medium-temperature water Htm from the high-temperature water tank 3 into the sterilization tank 1 via the warm water injection path Sp2 using the circulating pump 5f (high-temperature water injection process (see...)). Figure 3 Here, the warm water injection path Sp2 has an upstream pipe 5c, a downstream pipe 5d, a connecting pipe 7a, and a connecting pipe 8a. In the warm water injection path Sp2, the high-temperature water Hth flows in the order of connecting pipe 7a, connecting pipe 8a, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d.

[0117] like Figure 12 As shown, after injecting high-temperature water Hth, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the heating / sterilization circulation path Ci4 by closing flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, 7b, and 8b, and opening flow path switching valve 5g. Furthermore, the control unit 12 uses the circulation pump 5f to circulate the high-temperature water Hth to the sterilization tank 1 via the heating / sterilization circulation path Ci4, while simultaneously controlling the heating of the high-temperature water Hth to the sterilization temperature Tst (e.g., a high temperature above approximately 120°C) through heat exchange with steam in the heat exchanger 11. (Heating process (see reference...)) Figure 3Here, the heating / sterilization circulation path Ci4 has a circulation path 5 (discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d). In the heating / sterilization circulation path Ci4, high-temperature water Hth flows in the order of discharge pipes 5a and 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d. Furthermore, the sterilization temperature Tst is, for example, a high temperature above approximately 120°C, and varies depending on the type of object to be sterilized.

[0118] In addition, after the control unit 12 heats the high-temperature water Hth to the heating sterilization temperature Tst, it uses the circulation pump 5f to circulate the high-temperature water Hth to the sterilization tank 1 through the heating / heating sterilization circulation path Ci4. At the same time, the high-temperature water Hth is maintained at the heating sterilization temperature Tst by heat exchange with steam in the heat exchanger 11 (heating sterilization process).

[0119] <High-Temperature Hydrothermal Recovery Process>

[0120] like Figure 13 As shown, during a predetermined period, after heat sterilization using high-temperature water Hth, the control unit 12 controls the recovery of the high-temperature water Hth from the sterilization tank 1 via the warm water recovery path Re2 and stores it in the high-temperature water tank 3. The high-temperature water heat recovery process is a process of recovering the high-temperature water Hth to the high-temperature water tank 3 while maintaining the temperature after heat sterilization.

[0121] Specifically, during a predetermined period, after heating and sterilizing with high-temperature water Hth, control unit 12 controls the formation of the warm water recovery path Re2 by closing flow path switching valves 5g, 6e, 7b, and 8b, and opening flow path switching valve 6d. Furthermore, control unit 12 controls the recovery of the high-temperature water Hth to the high-temperature water tank 3 via the warm water recovery path Re2 using circulating pump 5f (high-temperature water heat recovery process (see...)). Figure 3 Here, the warm water recovery circuit Re2 has a discharge pipe 5a, a discharge pipe 5b, an upstream pipe 5c, a downstream pipe 5d, a common pipe 6a, and a branch pipe 6b. In the warm water recovery circuit Re2, the high-temperature water Hth flows in the following order: each of the discharge pipes 5a and 5b, the upstream pipe 5c, the downstream pipe 5d, the common pipe 6a, and the branch pipe 6b.

[0122] Furthermore, after the high-temperature water Hth discharged from the sterilization tank 1 is recovered into the high-temperature water tank 3 via the warm water recovery path Re2, the control unit 12 performs a medium-temperature water heat recovery process for the sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp. That is, the control unit 12 controls the medium-temperature water heat recovery process while the high-temperature water Hth, which has undergone heat sterilization, is being discharged from the sterilization tank 1. At this time, the water level sensor 1c confirms that the high-temperature water Hth has been discharged from the sterilization tank 1, thereby preventing the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm from rising due to the high-temperature water Hth.

[0123] <Medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process>

[0124] like Figures 14-16 As shown, before cooling the retort pouch Rp with cooling water Cw, the control unit 12 performs a medium-temperature water heat recovery process, using medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 to recover heat from the sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp. Therefore, by recovering heat from the sterilization tank 1 using medium-temperature water Htm before injecting cooling water Cw into the sterilization tank 1, the rapid temperature change Tch2 of the sterilization tank 1 is suppressed (see reference). Figure 4 (Comparative example).

[0125] Specifically, such as Figure 14 As shown, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the medium-temperature water injection path Sp3 by closing the flow path switching valves 6d, 7b, and 6e, and opening the flow path switching valves 5g and 8b. Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the injection of medium-temperature water Htm from the medium-temperature water tank 4 into the sterilization tank 1 via the medium-temperature water injection path Sp3 using the circulating pump 5f (medium-temperature water injection process (see...)). Figure 3 Here, the medium-temperature water injection path Sp3 has an upstream pipe 5c, a downstream pipe 5d, and a connecting pipe 8a. In the medium-temperature water injection path Sp3, the medium-temperature water Htm flows in the order of connecting pipe 8a, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d.

[0126] like Figure 15 As shown, after the medium-temperature water Htm is injected, the control unit 12 closes the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, 7b, and 8b, and opens the flow path switching valve 5g, thereby controlling the formation of the heat recovery circulation path Ci5. Furthermore, the control unit 12 circulates the medium-temperature water Htm through the heat recovery circulation path Ci5 to the sterilization tank 1 via the circulation pump 5f without heat exchange in the heat exchanger 11, thereby performing medium-temperature water heat recovery control (medium-temperature water circulation process (see...)). Figure 3Here, the heat recovery circulation path Ci5 includes circulation path 5 (discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream side pipe 5c, and downstream side pipe 5d). In the heat recovery circulation path Ci5, the medium-temperature water Htm flows in the order of discharge pipes 5a and 5b, upstream side pipe 5c, and downstream side pipe 5d.

[0127] At this time, the control unit 12 controls the release of medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 to the retort pouch Rp during the heat recovery process of the sterilization tank 1. Here, in the medium-temperature water circulation process, the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm rises to the temperature after heat recovery (approximately 90°C) by taking heat from both the sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp.

[0128] like Figure 16 As shown, the control unit 12, after circulating the medium-temperature water Htm for a specified period of time, controls the recovery of the medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 after heat recovery to the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re3 for storage.

[0129] Specifically, after circulating the medium-temperature water Htm for a specified period of time, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the medium-temperature water recovery path Re3 by closing the flow path switching valves 5g, 6d, 7b, and 8b, and opening the flow path switching valve 6e. Furthermore, the control unit 12 performs recovery control by using the circulation pump 5f to recover the medium-temperature water Htm into the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re3 (see Medium-temperature Water Recovery Process (Ref. 1)). Figure 3 Here, the medium-temperature water recovery circuit Re3 includes discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream side pipe 5c, downstream side pipe 5d, common pipe 6a, and branch pipe 6c. In the medium-temperature water recovery circuit Re3, the medium-temperature water Htm flows in the following order: discharge pipes 5a and 5b respectively, upstream side pipe 5c, downstream side pipe 5d, common pipe 6a, and branch pipe 6c.

[0130] In this manner, before the cooling process of the retort pouch Rp using cooling water Cw, the control unit 12 performs a medium-temperature water heat recovery process, using medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 to recover the heat from the sterilization tank 1 after heating and sterilization, and controls the storage of the medium-temperature water Htm used in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process in the medium-temperature water tank 4. That is, the control unit 12 controls the recovery and storage of the medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 after heat recovery in the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream side pipe 5c, downstream side pipe 5d, common pipe 6a, and branch pipe 6c.

[0131] Furthermore, after the control unit 12 recovers the medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 into the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re3, it performs a cooling process for the retort pouch Rp. At this time, the water level sensor 1c confirms that the medium-temperature water Htm has been discharged from the sterilization tank 1, thereby preventing the temperature of the cooling water Cw from rising due to the medium-temperature water Htm.

[0132] <Object Cooling Process>

[0133] like Figures 17-19 As shown, after heat recovery of the retort pouch Rp based on medium-temperature water Htm, the control unit 12 uses cooling water source 200 (see reference). Figure 1 The cooling water Cw supplied is used to cool the retort pouch Rp and the sterilization tank 1 in the cooling process.

[0134] Specifically, such as Figure 17 As shown, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the cooling water injection path Sp4 by closing the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, 7b, and 8b, and opening the flow path switching valve 5g. Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the injection of cooling water Cw supplied from the cooling water source 200 into the sterilization tank 1 via the cooling water injection path Sp4 using the circulating pump 5f (cooling water injection process (see...)). Figure 3 Here, the cooling water injection path Sp4 includes a circulation path 5 (discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d). In the cooling water injection path Sp4, the cooling water Cw flows in the respective order of upstream pipe 5c, downstream pipe 5d, discharge pipe 5a, and discharge pipe 5b.

[0135] like Figure 18 As shown, after the cooling water Cw is injected, the control unit 12 controls the formation of the cooling circulation path Ci6 by closing the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, 7b, and 8b, and opening the flow path switching valve 5g. Furthermore, the control unit 12 uses the circulation pump 5f to circulate the cooling water Cw to the sterilization tank 1 via the cooling circulation path Ci6. Simultaneously, in the heat exchanger 11, the heated cooling water Cw is cooled by heat exchange with the cooling water, drawing heat from the retort pouch Rp and the sterilization tank 1 respectively (cooling process (see reference)). Figure 3 Here, the cooling circulation path Ci6 includes circulation path 5 (discharge pipe 5a, discharge pipe 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d). In the cooling circulation path Ci6, cooling water Cw flows in the order of discharge pipe 5a and discharge pipe 5b, upstream pipe 5c, and downstream pipe 5d.

[0136] like Figure 19As shown, during a predetermined period, after cooling with cooling water Cw, the control unit 12 controls the recovery of the cooled water Cw from the sterilization tank 1 via the cooling water recovery path Re4 using the circulating pump 5f (cooling water recovery process). Here, the cooling water recovery path Re4 includes a discharge pipe 5a, a discharge pipe 5b, and an upstream pipe 5c. In the cooling water recovery path Re4, the cooling water Cw flows in the order of each of the discharge pipes 5a and 5b, and then in the order of the upstream pipe 5c.

[0137] <Sending Process>

[0138] In the delivery process, such as Figure 20 As shown, multiple retort pouches Rp, after being cooled, are delivered by the user from sterilization tank 1.

[0139] Then, the next heating and sterilization control of the multiple retort pouches Rp is performed. At this time, before heating the retort pouches Rp with high-temperature water Hth, the control unit 12 performs a preheating process by preheating the sterilization tank 1 with medium-temperature water Htm, which was heated and stored in the medium-temperature water tank 4 during the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control). Therefore, in the heating and sterilization control of this embodiment, heat loss is suppressed because the heat extracted from the retort pouches Rp and sterilization tank 1 during the medium-temperature water heat recovery process is utilized. Furthermore, in Figure 6 When preparing the medium-temperature water Htm as shown, only a slight reheating (e.g., about 1~2°C) is required. Therefore, after the initial heating and sterilization control, the heat required for heating the medium-temperature water Htm and the time required for heating the medium-temperature water Htm can be suppressed.

[0140] This heating and sterilization process is performed multiple times a day. Furthermore, the medium-temperature water (Htm) stored in the medium-temperature water tank 4 is discharged from the tank after reuse. Additionally, the storage of new medium-temperature water (Htm) in the medium-temperature water tank 4 is controlled (see [reference]). Figure 6 The timing for replacing the medium-temperature water (Htm) is determined by the user, either daily or every few days. This reduces the increase in water consumption caused by using the medium-temperature water (Htm) compared to preparing the medium-temperature water (Htm) for each heating control cycle.

[0141] (Comparison of heat sterilization control in the comparative example with heat sterilization control in this embodiment)

[0142] Figure 21 Indicates will Figure 4 The chart showing the heat sterilization control of the comparative example (equivalent to the existing example) is shown in the figure. Figure 3The graphs showing the heat sterilization control of this embodiment are superimposed. Here, the graph for the heat sterilization control of the comparative example is represented by a thick double-dotted line. The graph for the heat sterilization control of this embodiment is represented by a thick solid line.

[0143] When comparing the heating sterilization control of the comparative example with the heating sterilization control of this embodiment, the operation time of the heating sterilization control of the embodiment is increased by the amount of time Tlag due to the addition of a preheating process and a medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process.

[0144] However, the heating time Ui of the object heating process in the heating sterilization control of this embodiment is shorter than the heating time Ue of the object heating process in the heating sterilization control of the comparative example. This is because, in the heating sterilization control of this embodiment, the initial temperature of the object heating process is higher than that of the object heating process in the heating sterilization control of the comparative example due to the preheating process. Furthermore, the cooling time Di of the object in the heating sterilization control of this embodiment is shorter than the cooling time De of the object cooling process in the heating sterilization control of the comparative example. This is because, in the heating sterilization control of this embodiment, the initial temperature of the object cooling process is lower than that of the object cooling process in the heating sterilization control of the comparative example due to the medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery process.

[0145] Furthermore, by shortening the heating process time Ui compared to the heating process time Ue, the amount of steam required for heating the high-temperature water Hth is reduced. Additionally, while steam is used to heat the medium-temperature water Htm during its preparation, the reduced steam consumption during the reuse of the medium-temperature water Htm and the heating of the high-temperature water Hth results in less heat energy required for multiple heating sterilization controls compared to the case of multiple heating sterilization controls used in the comparative example.

[0146] Furthermore, in the heating sterilization control of this embodiment, since medium-temperature water Htm is injected into sterilization tank 1 after the feeding process, the temperature change Ti1 of sterilization tank 1 after the feeding process is reduced by the amount of temperature difference Td1 compared to the temperature change Te1 of sterilization tank 1 after the feeding process in the comparative example. Moreover, in the heating sterilization control, since medium-temperature water Htm is injected into sterilization tank 1 after the high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process, the temperature change Ti2 of sterilization tank 1 after the high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process is reduced by the amount of temperature difference Td2 compared to the temperature change Te2 of sterilization tank 1 after the feeding process in the comparative example. Therefore, by suppressing rapid temperature changes in sterilization tank 1, the expansion and contraction of sterilization tank 1 can be suppressed.

[0147] (Heat sterilization method)

[0148] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 12 , Figure 15 , Figure 18 , Figure 20 and Figure 22 The heat sterilization method performed in the aforementioned heat sterilization apparatus 100 will be described. The heat sterilization method is a method executed by the control unit 12 based on a heat sterilization procedure.

[0149] Here, in Figure 22 Before the preheating process shown in step S1, high-temperature water Hth and medium-temperature water Htm are prepared. In the following description, it is assumed that the medium-temperature water Htm is heated and stored in the medium-temperature water tank 4 during the aforementioned medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control). Furthermore, with multiple layers of trays Tr containing retort bags Rp stacked on top of each other, the user performs the feeding process into the sterilization tank 1 (refer to...). Figure 7 ).

[0150] exist Figure 22 In step S1 shown, a preheating process is performed after the feeding process. The preheating process involves preheating the sterilization tank 1 with medium-temperature water Htm, which is heated during heat recovery in the sterilization tank 1, before supplying the high-temperature water Hth used to sterilize the retort pouch Rp to the sterilization tank 1 (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0151] In step S2, a heating process is performed on the object. This heating process involves supplying high-temperature water (Hth) to the sterilization tank 1, which uses high-temperature water (Hth) for heating and sterilization, to sterilize the retort pouches (Rp) inside the sterilization tank 1 (see reference). Figure 12 ).

[0152] In step S3, a high-temperature hydrothermal recovery process is performed. This process involves recovering the high-temperature water (Hth) from the sterilization tank 1 after heating and sterilization using high-temperature water (Hth) via the warm water recovery path Re2 and storing it in the high-temperature water tank 3 (see reference). Figure 13 ).

[0153] In step S4, a medium-temperature water heat recovery process is performed. This process involves using medium-temperature water Htm, generated separately from the high-temperature water Hth, at a temperature higher than the cooling water Cw but lower than the high-temperature water Hth, to recover heat from the sterilization tank 1 after heating and sterilization, before the cooling of the retort pouch Rp using cooling water Cw (see [reference]). Figure 15 ).

[0154] In step S5, a cooling process is performed on the object. This cooling process involves cooling the retort pouch Rp with cooling water Cw after heat recovery from the sterilization tank 1 (see [reference]). Figure 18Furthermore, the heat sterilization method ends after step S5.

[0155] Here, after the heat sterilization method is completed, the user performs the delivery process of sending the cooled retort pouches Rp out of sterilization tank 1 (see reference). Figure 20 ).

[0156] (Retort pouch)

[0157] The retort pouches Rp produced using this heating sterilization tank method are sterilized by heating sterilization device 100.

[0158] Specifically, the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) can be sterilized by a heating sterilization device 100, which includes: a sterilization tank 1 having a housing space 1d inside which the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) to be sterilized by heating with high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid) is provided to the sterilization tank, and cooling water Cw is provided to cool the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) after being sterilized by heating with high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid); and a control unit 12, which performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) with cooling water Cw. In the medium-temperature water heat recovery control, medium-temperature water Htm, which has a temperature higher than that of cooling water Cw and lower than that of high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid) and is separately generated from high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid), is used to recover the heat of the sterilization tank 1 after heating sterilization.

[0159] (Effects of this implementation method)

[0160] In this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0161] In this embodiment, as described above, the heating sterilization apparatus 100 includes a control unit 12. Before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) using cooling water Cw, the control unit 12 performs a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) using medium-temperature water Htm, which has a temperature higher than that of cooling water Cw and lower than that of high-temperature water Hth, separately generated from high-temperature water Hth. Therefore, by using medium-temperature water Htm, separately generated from high-temperature water Hth, to recover heat from the sterilization tank 1 after heating sterilization, the temperature of high-temperature water Hth is prevented from decreasing. Thus, during the next heating sterilization after heat recovery, the time required to raise the temperature of high-temperature water Hth to the heating sterilization temperature Tst can be suppressed from becoming longer. Furthermore, because the sterilization tank 1, after the heating process (heat sterilization control), can be cooled with medium-temperature water Htm (which is at a higher temperature than the cooling water Cw) before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized), the rapid temperature change (rapid temperature drop) of the sterilization tank 1 after the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be suppressed. As a result, the degree of expansion and contraction of the sterilization tank 1 can be reduced. Therefore, unlike cases where large expansion and contraction occur repeatedly, the increase in metal fatigue caused by thermal stress can be suppressed, and the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank 1 (shortened lifespan) can be suppressed.

[0162] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) with cooling water Cw, the control unit 12 uses medium-temperature water Htm, which has a temperature higher than that of cooling water Cw and lower than that of high-temperature water Hth, and is separately generated from high-temperature water Hth, to perform a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) to recover the heat of the sterilization tank 1 after the object heating process (heat sterilization control). Therefore, by utilizing medium-temperature water Htm to recover the heat of the sterilization tank 1 after the object heating process (heat sterilization control) in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control), heat loss from the heat applied to the retort pouch Rp and the sterilization tank 1 during the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be suppressed.

[0163] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 12 performs a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) after the high-temperature water Hth, which has been heated and sterilized, has been discharged from the sterilization tank 1. Therefore, heat recovery utilizing the high-temperature water Hth is achieved simply by discharging the high-temperature water Hth, eliminating the need for a dedicated heat exchanger and water supply tank for this purpose. This helps to prevent the increase in the size of the device caused by heat recovery utilizing the high-temperature water Hth.

[0164] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the heating sterilization apparatus 100 includes a medium-temperature water tank 4 for storing medium-temperature water Htm. The control unit 12 is configured to perform a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) using medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) with cooling water Cw, and to store the medium-temperature water Htm used in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) in the medium-temperature water tank 4. Thus, by storing medium-temperature water Htm in the medium-temperature water tank 4, it is possible to easily supply medium-temperature water Htm to the sterilization tank 1 after heating sterilization during heat recovery, and the medium-temperature water Htm used for heat recovery is not discharged but stored in the medium-temperature water tank 4, thereby making it easy to reuse the heat recovered from heat recovery.

[0165] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, before heating the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) with high-temperature water Hth, the control unit 12 performs a preheating process (preheating control) to preheat the sterilization tank 1 with medium-temperature water Htm, which was heated during the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) and stored in the medium-temperature water tank 4. Therefore, because the sterilization tank 1 is preheated using the heated medium-temperature water Htm for heat recovery, the initial temperature of the sterilization tank 1 at the start of the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be increased. Thus, compared to the case where preheating is not performed, the amount of heat transferred to the high-temperature water Hth during the temperature rise to the temperature required for the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be reduced. In other words, by using medium-temperature water Htm, the heat recovered from heat recovery can be effectively used for preheating. As a result, when preheating is performed, the increase in the heat energy required in the heating sterilization apparatus 100 can be reduced, and therefore the amount of (high-temperature) steam used for raising the temperature of the high-temperature water Hth can be reduced accordingly.

[0166] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the heating sterilization apparatus 100 includes a circulation path 5 connecting the sterilization tank 1 and the intermediate-temperature water tank 4, a common pipeline 6a, a branch pipeline 6c, and a connecting pipeline 8a (first connecting path). The control unit 12 controls the recovery and storage of intermediate-temperature water Htm from the heat-recovered sterilization tank 1 in the intermediate-temperature water tank 4 via the discharge pipeline 5a, discharge pipeline 5b, upstream side pipeline 5c, downstream side pipeline 5d, common pipeline 6a, and branch pipeline 6c (first connecting path); and controls the supply of intermediate-temperature water Htm to the sterilization tank 1 during preheating via the upstream side pipeline 5c, downstream side pipeline 5d, and connecting pipeline 8a (first connecting path). Thus, by using the common pipeline 6a and the branch pipeline 6c (first connecting path), the storage of heat-recovered intermediate-temperature water Htm in the intermediate-temperature water tank 4 and the supply of intermediate-temperature water Htm from the intermediate-temperature water tank 4 to the sterilization tank 1 during preheating can be easily performed.

[0167] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 12 controls the release of medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 to the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) during both the preheating of the sterilization tank 1 and the heat recovery of the sterilization tank 1. Thus, during preheating, when the sterilization tank 1 is at a low temperature, the released medium-temperature water Htm comes into contact with the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized), causing the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm to drop. This allows the cooled medium-temperature water Htm to come into contact with the sterilization tank 1, thereby suppressing rapid temperature changes in the sterilization tank 1. Furthermore, during heat recovery of the sterilization tank 1, the released medium-temperature water Htm comes into contact with the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized), causing the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm to rise. This allows the heated medium-temperature water Htm to come into contact with the high-temperature sterilization tank 1 during heat recovery, thereby suppressing rapid temperature changes in the sterilization tank 1. Therefore, in both the preheating of sterilization tank 1 and the heat recovery of sterilization tank 1, the decrease in the durability of sterilization tank 1 caused by the increase in thermal stress due to rapid temperature changes can be further suppressed.

[0168] In this embodiment, as described above, the heating sterilization apparatus 100 includes a high-temperature water tank 3, which recovers and stores high-temperature water Hth, which is the high-temperature water Hth after the object heating process (heating sterilization control) stored in the sterilization tank 1. The heating sterilization apparatus 100 includes a common pipe 6a and a branch pipe 6b (second connection path) connecting the sterilization tank 1 and the high-temperature water tank 3 to each other. After the object heating process (heating sterilization control) of the retort bag Rp (sterilized object) is completed and the high-temperature water Hth discharged from the sterilization tank 1 is recovered into the high-temperature water tank 3 via the common pipe 6a and the branch pipe 6b (second connection path), the control unit 12 performs a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) of the sterilization tank 1. Therefore, by recovering the high-temperature water Hth in the sterilization tank 1 through a dedicated common pipe 6a and a branch pipe 6b (second connection path) that connects the sterilization tank 1 and the high-temperature water tank 3, the heat of the high-temperature water Hth can be prevented from being taken away after the object heating process (heat sterilization control), thus suppressing the temperature drop of the high-temperature water Hth recovered to the high-temperature water tank 3.

[0169] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the heating sterilization apparatus 100 has a circulation path 5, which includes a circulation pump 5f that circulates cooling water Cw, high-temperature water Hth, and medium-temperature water Htm discharged from the sterilization tank 1 back to the sterilization tank 1. The control unit 12 uses the circulation pump 5f to circulate the medium-temperature water Htm back to the sterilization tank 1 via the circulation path 5, thereby performing a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control). As a result, the circulation path 5 used in the object heating process (heating sterilization control) and the object cooling process (cooling control) can be shared in the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control), thus suppressing the structural complexity and large size caused by increasing the path of the heating sterilization apparatus 100.

[0170] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) is subjected to heat sterilization treatment by the heat sterilization device 100. The heat sterilization device 100 includes a sterilization tank 1, which has an internal housing space 1d for housing the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) to be sterilized using high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid). The sterilization tank is capable of supplying high-temperature water Hth for the object heating process (heat sterilization control) and for the object being heated using high-temperature water Hth. The cooling water Cw used to cool the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) after the hot process (heat sterilization control); and the control unit 12, which uses medium-temperature water Htm, which has a temperature higher than that of the cooling water Cw and lower than that of the high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid), and is separately generated from the high-temperature water Hth, to perform a medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) to recover the heat of the sterilization tank 1 after the object heating process (heat sterilization control) before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) with the cooling water Cw. Therefore, because the heat recovery of the sterilization tank 1 after heating and sterilization using medium-temperature water Htm generated separately from the high-temperature water Hth can prevent the temperature of the high-temperature water Hth from decreasing, it is possible to provide a heating sterilization device 100 that can suppress the time required to raise the high-temperature water Hth to the heating sterilization temperature Tst during the next heating sterilization after heat recovery, and can suppress the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank 1 caused by the increase in thermal stress due to rapid temperature changes.

[0171] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the heat sterilization method includes the following step S4: before cooling the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) with cooling water Cw, heat recovery is performed on the sterilization tank 1 after the object heating process (heat sterilization control) using medium-temperature water Htm, which has a temperature higher than that of cooling water Cw and lower than that of high-temperature water Hth. Therefore, by using medium-temperature water Htm, which is separately generated from high-temperature water Hth, for heat sterilization of the sterilization tank 1, the temperature of the high-temperature water Hth can be prevented from decreasing. This provides a heat sterilization method that, in the next heat sterilization after heat recovery, can suppress the increase in the time required to raise the high-temperature water Hth to the sterilization temperature Tst, and can suppress the decrease in the durability of the sterilization tank 1 caused by the increase in thermal stress due to rapid temperature changes.

[0172] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the heat sterilization method includes the following step S1: before supplying high-temperature water Hth, which is used for the object heating process (heat sterilization control) of the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized), to the sterilization tank 1, the sterilization tank 1 is preheated using medium-temperature water Htm, which has been heated during heat recovery in the sterilization tank 1. Therefore, by preheating the sterilization tank 1, the initial temperature of the sterilization tank 1 at the start of the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be increased. Thus, compared to the case where no preheating is performed, the amount of heat imparted to the high-temperature water Hth during the temperature rise to the temperature required for the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be reduced. Additionally, by using the medium-temperature water Htm after the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control) for preheating the sterilization tank 1, the heat from the sterilization tank 1 and the retort pouch Rp (the object to be sterilized) after the object heating process (heat sterilization control) can be utilized to raise the medium-temperature water Htm to the preheating temperature. Therefore, in the preheating of the sterilization tank 1 using medium-temperature water Htm after the medium-temperature water heat recovery process (medium-temperature water heat recovery control), the heat energy required in the heating sterilization device 100 due to preheating can be reduced, and thus the amount of (high-temperature) steam used for heating the high-temperature water Hth can be reduced accordingly.

[0173] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, during the preheating process, the control unit 12 controls the flow path switching valves 6d, 6e, and 7b to be closed, and the flow path switching valves 5g and 8b to be open, thereby forming a medium-temperature water injection path Sp1. Then, the control unit 12 uses the circulation pump 5f to inject medium-temperature water Htm from the medium-temperature water tank 4 into the sterilization tank 1 via the medium-temperature water injection path Sp1. Therefore, even without using a pump other than the circulation pump 5f, the injection of medium-temperature water Htm from the medium-temperature water tank 4 into the sterilization tank 1 is possible.

[0174] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, during the preheating process, the control unit 12 closes the flow path switching valves 5g, 6d, 7b, and 8b, and opens the flow path switching valve 6e, thereby forming the medium-temperature water recovery path Re1. Then, using the circulation pump 5f, it controls the recovery of medium-temperature water Htm into the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re1. Therefore, even without using a pump other than the circulation pump 5f, the recovery of medium-temperature water Htm from the sterilization tank 1 to the medium-temperature water tank 4 is possible.

[0175] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, during the medium-temperature water heat recovery process, the control unit 12 closes the flow path switching valves 6d, 7b, and 6e, and opens the flow path switching valves 5g and 8b, thereby forming the medium-temperature water injection path Sp3. Then, the circulation pump 5f controls the injection of medium-temperature water Htm from the medium-temperature water tank 4 into the sterilization tank 1 via the medium-temperature water injection path Sp3. Therefore, even without using a pump other than the circulation pump 5f, the injection of medium-temperature water Htm from the medium-temperature water tank 4 into the sterilization tank 1 is possible.

[0176] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, during the medium-temperature water heat recovery process, the control unit 12 closes the flow path switching valves 5g, 6d, 7b, and 8b, and opens the flow path switching valve 6e, thereby forming the medium-temperature water recovery path Re3. Then, the circulation pump 5f recovers the medium-temperature water Htm into the medium-temperature water tank 4 via the medium-temperature water recovery path Re3. Therefore, even without using a pump other than the circulation pump 5f, the recovery of medium-temperature water Htm from the sterilization tank 1 to the medium-temperature water tank 4 is possible.

[0177] In this embodiment, supply path 6 is a pipeline branching from circulation path 5 that supplies high-temperature water Hth to high-temperature water tank 3. Additionally, supply path 6 is a pipeline branching from circulation path 5 that supplies medium-temperature water Htm to medium-temperature water tank 4. Supply path 6 includes a common pipeline 6a. Common pipeline 6a is connected to circulation path 5 and is shared with both high-temperature water tank 3 and medium-temperature water tank 4. Therefore, when sterilization tank 1 is preheated with medium-temperature water Htm, the medium-temperature water Htm flows through common pipeline 6a, so not only sterilization tank 1 but also common pipeline 6a is preheated by the medium-temperature water Htm. Therefore, compared to the case where the piping connecting sterilization tank 1 to high-temperature water tank 3 and medium-temperature water tank 4 is not shared, because common pipeline 6a is also preheated when high-temperature water Hth is supplied to sterilization tank 1 after preheating, rapid temperature rises can be suppressed not only in sterilization tank 1 but also in common pipeline 6a. As a result, the risk of rupture due to stress caused by a rapid temperature rise can be reduced not only in sterilization tank 1 but also in the shared pipeline 6a. Furthermore, when using medium-temperature water Htm for heat recovery in sterilization tank 1, as the high-temperature water Hth in sterilization tank 1 is recovered to the high-temperature water tank 3, the medium-temperature water Htm flows through the shared pipeline 6a, which has been heated by the high-temperature water Hth. Therefore, the heat from the high-temperature water Hth that has heated not only sterilization tank 1 but also the shared pipeline 6a is also recovered by the medium-temperature water Htm. Thus, the heat from the high-temperature water Hth heating the shared pipeline 6a can also be recovered, thereby further increasing the temperature of the medium-temperature water Htm used for preheating sterilization tank 1 in the next cycle compared to not using the shared pipeline 6a.

[0178] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the medium-temperature water tank 4 is a water tank that recovers and stores the preheated and heat-recovered medium-temperature water Htm stored in the sterilization tank 1. Thus, by recovering the heat-recovered medium-temperature water Htm, it is possible to store the preheated medium-temperature water Htm, and by recovering the preheated medium-temperature water Htm, it is possible to store the heat-recovered medium-temperature water Htm. Therefore, the supply source of medium-temperature water Htm to the sterilization tank 1 and the destination for the recovery of medium-temperature water Htm recovered from the sterilization tank 1 can be set as a single medium-temperature water tank 4, thereby enabling a heating sterilization device 100 with a simple structure for heat recovery and preheating.

[0179] [Variation Example]

[0180] Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the invention is defined not by the description of the above embodiments but by the scope of the claims, and includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

[0181] For example, in the above embodiment, the heating sterilization device 100 is shown as a spray-type device with spray nozzles 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the heating sterilization device may also be a water storage type device that uses medium-temperature water for preheating and heat recovery, or a steam type device that uses steam as a high-temperature fluid.

[0182] For example, in such Figure 23 In the first modified example of the water-based heating sterilization apparatus 500 shown, the following heating sterilization control is performed. That is, after the control unit 512 heats and sterilizes the retort pouch Rp (sterilized object) with high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid) in the object heating process, it recovers the high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid) discharged from the sterilization tank 1 into the high-temperature water tank 503, and then uses medium-temperature water Htm, which is separately generated with the high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid), to recover the heat of the sterilization tank 1 after heating and sterilization, which is a medium-temperature water heat recovery control.

[0183] Here, in the heat-sterilizing device 500 of the storage water type, high-temperature water Hth (high-temperature fluid) is not used for heat sterilization. Instead, after the high-temperature water Hth is recovered into the high-temperature water tank 503, the medium-temperature water Htm of the medium-temperature water tank 4 is circulated into the sterilization tank 1. This allows for heat recovery of the sterilization tank 1 after heat sterilization, thus preventing the temperature of the high-temperature water Hth from decreasing.

[0184] Additionally, for example, in situations such as Figure 24 In the steam-type heating sterilization apparatus 600 of the second modified example shown, the heating sterilization control is performed as follows: After the control unit 612 heats and sterilizes the retort pouch Rp (sterilized object) using high-temperature steam Vah (high-temperature fluid) in the object heating process, it performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control, which uses medium-temperature water Htm separately generated from the high-temperature steam Vah (high-temperature fluid) to recover the heat from the sterilization tank 1 after heating and sterilization.

[0185] In this steam-type heating sterilization device 600, steam (Vah, a high-temperature fluid) is used instead of high-temperature water for heating sterilization, so heat recovery using high-temperature water cannot be performed. However, with the structure described above in the second variation of this embodiment, by performing medium-temperature water heat recovery control, the heat from the sterilization tank 1 after heating sterilization can also be recovered in the steam-type heating sterilization device 600.

[0186] Furthermore, the above embodiment illustrates an example of a heating sterilization device 100 consisting of both a high-temperature water tank 3 and a medium-temperature water tank 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the heating sterilization device may or may not include a medium-temperature water tank.

[0187] Furthermore, the above embodiment illustrates an example where the heat sterilization apparatus 100 utilizes high-temperature water Hth to heat sterilize a retort pouch Rp containing food, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the heat sterilization apparatus can also be used to heat sterilize other products such as canned goods.

[0188] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown where the control unit 12 was configured to directly use medium-temperature water Htm supplied from the medium-temperature water tank 4 for preheating and heat recovery of the sterilization tank 1 and the retort bag Rp, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the heating sterilization device may also have a modified structure that indirectly uses medium-temperature water, as described below.

[0189] Specifically, such as Figure 25 As shown in the third variation, the heating sterilization apparatus 700 includes a heat transfer fluid supply unit 713 that supplies heat transfer fluid Htf heated by medium-temperature water Htm. The heating sterilization apparatus 700 includes a heat exchanger 714 that performs heat exchange between the medium-temperature water Htm stored in the medium-temperature water tank 704 and the heat transfer fluid Htf supplied from the heat transfer fluid supply unit 713. During the preheating of the sterilization tank 1, the control unit 12 controls the supply of heat transfer fluid Htf, whose temperature has increased due to heat exchange with the medium-temperature water Htm in the heat exchanger 714, to the sterilization tank 1; and during the heat recovery of the sterilization tank 1, it controls the supply of heat transfer fluid Htf, whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange with the medium-temperature water Htm in the heat exchanger 714, to the sterilization tank 1.

[0190] Therefore, compared to directly supplying the medium-temperature water Htm to the sterilization tank 1, during the preheating of the sterilization tank 1, heating is achieved by exchanging heat between the heat transfer fluid Htf and the medium-temperature water Htm in the heat exchanger 714. This allows the heat transfer fluid Htf to be supplied to the sterilization tank 1 while its temperature rises slowly. Thus, the sterilization tank 1 can be slowly heated to the preheating temperature using the heat transfer fluid Htf while suppressing the temperature difference with the sterilization tank 1. As a result, rapid temperature changes in the sterilization tank 1 can be further suppressed. Furthermore, by recovering heat through heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid Htf and the medium-temperature water Htm in the heat exchanger 714, the heat transfer fluid Htf can be supplied to the sterilization tank 1 while its temperature drops slowly. Therefore, by suppressing the temperature difference with the sterilization tank 1, the sterilization tank 1 can be slowly cooled to the temperature after heat recovery (pre-cooling temperature) using the heat transfer fluid Htf. As a result, it is possible to further suppress drastic temperature changes in sterilization tank 1.

[0191] In addition, Figure 25In the third variation shown, the medium-temperature water tank 704 is connected to the heat exchanger 714. That is, the medium-temperature water tank 704 includes an inflow pipe 704c, a supply pipe 704d, a flow path switching valve 704e, and a flow path switching valve 704f.

[0192] Furthermore, the above embodiment illustrates an example where the control unit 12 controls both the recovery and storage of the preheated medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 to the medium-temperature water tank 4, and the recovery and storage of the heat-recovered medium-temperature water Htm in the sterilization tank 1 to the medium-temperature water tank 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit may control at least one of the following: the recovery and storage of the preheated medium-temperature water in the sterilization tank to the medium-temperature water tank, and the recovery and storage of the heat-recovered medium-temperature water in the sterilization tank to the medium-temperature water tank.

[0193] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, for ease of explanation, an example of the control processing of the control unit 12 is illustrated using a process-driven flowchart that processes sequentially according to the processing flow; however, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control processing of the control unit can also be performed using an event-driven (event-driven) processing method that executes processing on an event-by-event basis. In this case, it can be performed entirely as an event-driven method, or a combination of event-driven and process-driven methods can be used.

[0194] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0195] 1. Sterilization tank

[0196] 1d containment space

[0197] 3. 503 High Temperature Water Tank

[0198] 4. 704 medium-temperature water tank

[0199] 5. Loop path (first join path, second join path)

[0200] 5a Discharge piping (first connection path, second connection path)

[0201] 5b Discharge piping (first connection path, second connection path)

[0202] 5c Upstream side piping (first connection path, second connection path)

[0203] 5d downstream side piping 5d (first connection path, second connection path)

[0204] 5F circulating pump

[0205] 6a Shared piping (first connection path, second connection path)

[0206] 6b Branch pipe (second connection path)

[0207] 6c Branch piping (first connection path)

[0208] 11 Heat Exchanger

[0209] 12, 612 Control Department

[0210] 100, 500, 600, 700 heating sterilization devices

[0211] 713 Heat transfer fluid supply section

[0212] 714 Heat Exchanger

[0213] Cw cooling water

[0214] HTF thermal fluid

[0215] Hth High Temperature Water

[0216] Htm medium temperature water

[0217] Rp retort pouch (object to be sterilized).

Claims

1. A heating sterilization device, characterized in that, include: A sterilization tank has an internal space for housing an object to be sterilized by heating with a high-temperature fluid, and is capable of supplying the sterilization tank with the high-temperature fluid for heating and sterilizing the object and cooling water for cooling the object after it has been heated and sterilized by the high-temperature fluid. and The control unit performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the sterilized object with the cooling water. In this medium-temperature water heat recovery control, medium-temperature water, which has a temperature higher than that of the cooling water and lower than that of the high-temperature fluid and is separately generated from the high-temperature fluid, is used to recover the heat from the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization.

2. The heating sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit is configured to perform the medium-temperature hydrothermal recovery control after the high-temperature fluid that has undergone heat sterilization has been discharged from the sterilization tank.

3. The heating sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a medium-temperature water tank for storing the medium-temperature water. The control unit is configured to perform medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the sterilization target with the cooling water, using the medium-temperature water supplied from the medium-temperature water tank to recover the heat of the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization, and to store the medium-temperature water used in the medium-temperature water heat recovery control in the medium-temperature water tank.

4. The heating sterilization device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control unit is configured to perform preheating control by using the medium-temperature water stored in the medium-temperature water tank after being heated during the medium-temperature water heat recovery control to preheat the sterilization tank before heating the sterilization target with the high-temperature fluid.

5. The heating sterilization device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also has a first connection path that connects the sterilization tank and the medium-temperature water tank to each other. The control unit is configured to control the recovery and storage of the medium-temperature water in the sterilization tank after heat recovery in the medium-temperature water tank via the first connection path, and to control the supply of the medium-temperature water to the sterilization tank via the first connection path during preheating.

6. The heating sterilization device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The control unit is configured to control the release of the medium-temperature water supplied from the medium-temperature water tank to the object to be sterilized during both the preheating of the sterilization tank and the heat recovery of the sterilization tank.

7. The heating sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: A high-temperature water tank for recycling and storing high-temperature water, wherein the high-temperature water is the high-temperature fluid that has been heated and sterilized and stored in the sterilization tank; and The second connection path connects the sterilization tank and the high-temperature water tank to each other. The control unit is configured to perform the medium-temperature water heat recovery control of the sterilization tank after the high-temperature water discharged from the sterilization tank has been recovered into the high-temperature water tank via the second connection path after the heating sterilization of the sterilized object has ended.

8. The heating sterilization device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also has: A heat transfer fluid supply unit supplies heat transfer fluid that can be heated by the medium-temperature water; and A heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the medium-temperature water stored in the medium-temperature water tank and the heat-conducting fluid supplied from the heat-conducting fluid supply unit. The control unit is configured to control the supply of the heat-conducting fluid, whose temperature has risen due to heat exchange with the medium-temperature water in the heat exchanger, to the sterilization tank during preheating, and to control the supply of the heat-conducting fluid, whose temperature has decreased due to heat exchange with the medium-temperature water in the heat exchanger, to the sterilization tank during heat recovery of the sterilization tank.

9. The heating sterilization device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a circulation path comprising a circulation pump that circulates the cooling water, the high-temperature fluid, and the medium-temperature water discharged from the sterilization tank back to the sterilization tank. The control unit is configured to use the circulating pump to circulate the medium-temperature water through the circulating path to the sterilization tank for medium-temperature water heat recovery control.

10. An object to be sterilized by a heating sterilization device, characterized in that: The heating sterilization device includes: A sterilization tank has an internal space for housing an object to be sterilized by heating with a high-temperature fluid, and is capable of supplying the sterilization tank with the high-temperature fluid for heating and sterilizing the object and with cooling water for cooling the object after it has been sterilized by the high-temperature fluid; and The control unit performs medium-temperature water heat recovery control before cooling the sterilized object with the cooling water. In this medium-temperature water heat recovery control, medium-temperature water, which has a temperature higher than that of the cooling water and lower than that of the high-temperature fluid and is separately generated from the high-temperature fluid, is used to recover the heat from the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization.

11. A method for heat sterilization, characterized in that, include: The step of supplying the high-temperature fluid to a sterilization tank that uses high-temperature fluid for heating and sterilization to heat and sterilize the objects to be sterilized inside the sterilization tank; Before cooling the object to be sterilized with cooling water, a heat recovery step is performed on the sterilization tank after heating and sterilization using medium-temperature water, which has a temperature higher than the cooling water but lower than the temperature of the high-temperature fluid and is separately generated from the high-temperature fluid; and The step of cooling the sterilized object with cooling water after heat recovery of the sterilization tank.

12. The heat sterilization method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Also includes: Before supplying the high-temperature fluid used to sterilize the object to the sterilization tank, the sterilization tank is preheated using the medium-temperature water that was heated during the heat recovery process of the sterilization tank.

Images