Retort sterilization device, heating device, heat sterilization method and heat treatment method

Abstract

A retort sterilization device includes a water steam generation device for generating water steam and a heating pot, connected to the water steam generation device, for accommodating retort food. The water steam generation device includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in a liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path. A top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in an internal area of the heating pot. The heat exchanger is connected to a liquid container. A bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a communicating tube. The liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.

1 . A heating device, comprising:
 a heating pot for accommodating a heating target; and   a heat exchanger connected to the heating pot;   wherein,   the heat exchanger has a liquid path and a vapor path independent from each other, and the heat exchanger is configured to perform heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path and heat vapor flowing in the vapor path,   a top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a first pipe to an ejection section located in the heating pot,   the heat exchanger is connected to a liquid container for storing the liquid to be supplied to the heat exchanger;   a bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a communicating tube; and   the liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.   
     
     
         2 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heat exchanger is configured to generate water steam from the top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger; and   the heating pot includes an air discharge valve for discharging air in the heating pot to outside the healing pot when the water steam is supplied by the heat exchanger to the heating pot.   
     
     
         3 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein a lower part of the heating pot is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging air in the heating pot to outside the heating pot. 
     
     
         4 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the liquid is in the liquid container; and   a water level of the liquid in the liquid container matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid path of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         5 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the liquid container includes a liquid pot main body having a top opening in an upper part thereof; and   the liquid pot main body is attached to the heating pot such that the top opening is in the heating pot.   
     
     
         6 . The heating device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first pipe is configured to provide the liquid in the liquid path of the heat exchanger is from the top end of the liquid path into the heating pot; and   the liquid pot main body and the communicating tube are configured to provide the liquid in the heating pot into the liquid path.   
     
     
         7 . The heating device of  claim 6 , wherein the communicating tube is connected to a circulation pump for circulating the liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The heating device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating target is food. 
     
     
         9 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A heating device using water steam, comprising:
 a heating pot for accommodating a heating target; and   a water steam generation device for generating water steam,   wherein,   the heating pot is connected to the water steam generation device;   the water steam generation device has a liquid path and a vapor path independent from each other, and the water steam generating device includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path;   the vapor path of the heat exchanger is configured to receive vapor from a boiler;   a top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in the heating pot; and   a bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the heating pot via a communicating tube.   
     
     
         18 . The heating device of  claim 17 , wherein the heat exchanger and the heating pot are configured to circulate the water steam to put an internal area of the heating pot into a pressurized state. 
     
     
         19 . The heating device of  claim 17 , wherein
 the liquid is stored in a lower part in the heating pot; and   a water level of the liquid in the heating pot matches a water level of the liquid in the liquid path of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         20 . The heating device of  claim 17 , wherein
 the heating pot includes a cylindrical main body, the cylindrical main body including openable and closable doors at a front opening and a rear opening of the main body, respectively.   
     
     
         21 . The heating device of  claim 17 , wherein the water steam generated by the water steam generation device is saturated water steam having a minute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or less. 
     
     
         22 . The heating device of  claim 17 , wherein the heating target is fish. 
     
     
         23 . A heating device, comprising:
 a heating pot for accommodating a heating target; and   a water steam generation device for generating water steam,   wherein   the heating pot is configured to receive a gas, said gas including the water steam without compressed air, the gas is water vapor having a minute pressure, and   the water steam generation device and the heating pot are connected via a pipe to form a substantially sealed space.   
     
     
         24 . The heating device of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the water steam generation device has a liquid path and a vapor path independent from each other, and the water steam generation device includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path;   the vapor path of the heat exchanger is configured to receive vapor from a boiler;   a top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in the heating pot; and   a bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the heating pot via a communicating tube.   
     
     
         25 . The heating device of  claim 24 , wherein the heat exchanger and the heating pot are configured to put an internal area of the heating pot into a pressurized state. 
     
     
         26 . The heating device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the heat exchanger is configured to generate the water steam is generated from the top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger; and   the heating pot includes an air discharge valve for discharging air in the heating pot to outside the heating pot when the water steam is supplied to the heating pot.   
     
     
         27 . The heating device of  claim 24 , wherein a lower part of the heating pot is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging air in the heating pot to outside the heating pot. 
     
     
         28 . The heating device of  claim 24 , wherein
 a heating source in the heating pot is the water vapor having the minute pressure without spraying hydroheat drops.