Support Equipment for a Sterilizer

All continuous sterilizers have a heating section, a retention section, and a cooling section. However, before the design of the sterilizer is discussed, a brief review of batching equipment in support of the sterilizer is necessary. 

BATCHING TANKS HOT WATER VIBRATING SCREEN SURGE TANK STORAGE TANK 

The hot water from Tank 5 also supplies Tank 4 and Pump 3 (or 4), This is necessary to start and finish a batch through the sterilizer. For example, to start, the sterilizer is first steam sterilized (no liquid). At the end of this cycle, hot water from Tank 5 is started through the sterilizer to set or balance the instrumentation. When this is achieved, media is fed to Pump 3 (or 4) by remote operating valves. Similarly, after all the media has been pumped, it is necessary to pump water through the sterilizer until the fermenter volume is correct. If another fermenter is to be filled immediately, the sterile water is diverted to the awaiting empty (and sterile) fermenter, and then the new media for the second fermenter is pumped into the sterilizer. The control room for the operation of a continuous sterilizer should be close to Tank 4, Pumps 3 and 4, the main steam valves and the valves of the sterilizer itself This location is essential to sterilize the empty sterilizer and control the pumping of water and/or media. 

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