Method and an apparatus for continuously sterilizing water for spraying the pistons in a piston pump or a homogenizer

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for continuously sterilizing water for spraying the pistons in a piston pump or a homogenizer. The heating takes place in a first stage in a first heat exchanger and in a second stage in a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger operates regeneratively so that incoming cold water is heated in the first heat exchanger by water which has been heated by steam in the second heat exchanger. After the second heat exchanger the water is at a temperature of at least 121° C. and is to stay at this temperature in a holding cell during a predetermined period of time. After the water has been cooled regeneratively in the first heat exchanger it is to be at a temperature which exceeds 75° C.

1 . A method of sterilizing water for continuously spraying pistons in a piston pump or a homogenizer, the method comprising regeneratively heating the water in a first stage, thereafter heating the water in a second stage with steam, and holding the water at a temperature of at least 121° C. during a predetermined period of time, thereafter regeneratively cooling the water to a temperature which exceeds 75° C. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for sterilizing water for continuously spraying the pistons in a piston pump or a homogenizer, wherein the apparatus comprises two heat exchangers, of which the first is disposed for regeneratively heating the incoming water in a first stage and cooling the sterile water to a temperature which exceeds 75° C., and that the second heat exchanger is disposed, in a second stage, to heat the water to a temperature of at least 121° C., the apparatus also including conduits, a holding cell and requisite valves as well as pressure and temperature gauges.