Process sterilizer

steamheathigh-capacity

Overview
This horizontal high-temperature water immersion retort is designed for commercial food sterilization of pouches, cans, glass jars and rigid containers. It integrates electric heating with a dual-tank water circulation system and supports both immersion and spray sterilization modes. PLC recipe control, stainless-steel construction and trolley/basket handling enable repeatable batch production.

Key images

• Photographs showing horizontal water bath immersion retort and trolley systems
• Double-tank water bath & spray retort machine views
• 304 stainless steel construction and tray/trolley details

Parameters table (excerpt)
Heating Method | Pot Body Size (mm) | Volume (m³) | Output (kg/h) | Total Power (kW) | Plate / Trolley | Inner Plate Size (mm)
Electric heating steam | 700×1200×4 | 0.57 | 120 | 72 | 3 pcs / 1 pc | 450×1200×150
Electric heating steam | 800×1500×4 | 1.1 | 135 | 72 | 3 pcs / 1 pc | 600×1500×150
Electric heating steam | 900×1800×4 | 1.36 | 550 | 95 | 8 pcs / 2 pcs | 650×900×150
Electric heating steam | 1000×2200×4 | 1.94 | 630 | 96/120 | 12 pcs / 3 pcs | 1100×650×160
Electric heating steam | 1000×2400×4 | 3.2 | 780 | 96/120 | 15 pcs / 3 pcs | 800×650×160
Electric heating steam | 1200×3000×5 | 3.75 | 880 | 96/120 | 15 pcs / 3 pcs | 800×1000×160
Electric heating steam | 1200×3600×5 | 4.56 | 1000 | 120/steam | 20 pcs / 4 pcs | 800×900×160

How the horizontal water bath retort works
Step | Process Description
Loading | Load food trays onto the stainless-steel trolley and push it into the chamber on rails.
Sealing | Close the door. The mechanical interlocks lock the chamber before operation starts.
Heating | Electric heaters raise the water temperature to the required sterilization level.
Immersion & Spray | Pumps circulate hot water to immerse or spray the packages evenly for uniform heat transfer.
Holding | The PLC maintains stable temperature and pressure for the required processing time.
Cooling | Cold water cools the products before operators open the door and unload the trolley.

Water immersion retort uses & compatible packaging
Packaging Type | Compatible Products
Flexible pouches & vacuum bags | Cooked meats, sausages, ready-to-eat meals, instant soups
Plastic trays & rigid containers | Microwavable meals, pet food, fruit cups, vegetables
Glass bottles & jars | Dairy beverages, sauces, premium canned foods
Tin cans & metal containers | Canned seafood, fish products, poultry, beans

Features

• Double-tank energy saving: upper hot water tank preheats water for the processing vessel to accelerate cycles and reduce energy consumption.
• Fully automatic PLC control: PLC and touchscreen for precise recipe management, temperature and pressure curve tracking.
• Dual immersion & spray system: combined immersion and spray heating for uniform heat transfer and reduced cold spots.
• Triple mechanical safety interlocks: safety valves, triple door locks and automatic over-pressure alarms for operator protection.
• Food-grade stainless steel: 304 stainless steel body, trays and carts for corrosion resistance and long service life.
• Multiple heating options: supports electric heating and steam heating configurations.

Benefits for food manufacturers

• Better product protection: even water heat transfer reduces thermal shock and protects delicate packages.
• Easier batch production: basket and trolley system simplifies loading and unloading across repeated cycles.
• Stable processing control: repeatable retort schedules via automatic temperature and pressure control.
• Suitable for export products: supports shelf-stable products for ambient distribution when processed correctly.
• Flexible project planning: chamber dimensions, basket quantity and heating methods can be recommended according to product and capacity needs.

FAQs (selected)

• Can this retort handle both canned food and retort pouches? Yes. The chamber and spray/immersion systems work with cans, glass jars, plastic bottles and flexible retort pouches when tray sizes are compatible.
• How long does one sterilization cycle take? Cycle time depends on product, package size and target temperature; typical full cycles (heating, holding, cooling) often run within one to two hours.
• Why choose a water bath retort over a steam retort? A water bath retort distributes heat evenly around packages and helps prevent thermal shock in glass containers; spray retorts offer faster heating/cooling and lower water consumption in some applications.

technical specifications / caractéristiques

• Heating method: Electric heating steam (configurable to steam heating)
• Available pot body sizes (examples): 700×1200×4 mm; 800×1500×4 mm; 900×1800×4 mm; 1000×2200×4 mm; 1000×2400×4 mm; 1200×3000×5 mm; 1200×3600×5 mm
• Volume range (examples): 0.57 m³ up to 4.56 m³
• Output examples: from ~120 kg/h up to ~1000 kg/h depending on model
• Total power examples: typical values shown 72 kW, 95 kW, 96–120 kW (model dependent)
• Plate / Trolley: configurations from 3 pcs / 1 pc up to 20 pcs / 4 pcs (model dependent)
• Inner plate sizes (examples): 450×1200×150 mm; 600×1500×150 mm; 650×900×150 mm; 1100×650×160 mm; 800×650×160 mm; 800×1000×160 mm; 800×900×160 mm
• Construction: Food-grade 304 stainless steel for chamber, trays and trolleys
• Control: PLC with touchscreen, recipe storage, temperature & pressure curve monitoring
• Safety: triple mechanical door interlocks, safety valves, over-pressure alarms