Vacumatic Aust Retort, Waterspray Overpressure Retort, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC), Australia

The KM Steam and Waterspray Overpressure Retort with Thermal Process Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is designed for thermal processing all kinds of containers such as Aluminium Retortable Pouches, Glass Jars, Plastic or Aluminium containers etc.

With directed steam injection, continuous waterspray from top and sides operation guarantee homogeneous heat distrubution in the vessel during both sterilisation and cooling. Besides temperature control ad overpressure are independently programmable, PID controlled and then recorded by circular chart recorder. Overpressure can be programmed at all times during the heating and cooling cycles for reduced stress on the containerseals. Programmes are stored in the memory of the PLC.

Freshwater valve
Steam valve
Water circulation pump
Water level controller
Exhaust valve
Compressed air valve
Cooling water valve
Plate heater exchange
By-pass valve
Heat exchanger valve
Water flow meter
Water drain valve

	Water Filling After loaded with baskets and the doors closed, the process begins. The chamber is filled with fresh water (approx 100 Litres per basket) up to a certain level and is stored under the baskets. The water level controller ensures that overfilling does not occur. The water can also be pre-heater to prevent product temperature drop at the beginning of the process.
	Heating Once water has filled up to the required level, the water circulation pump automatically starts. At the same time the steam and air valves both open to heat and counter-pressure the product ensuring no product deformation. The water is circulated through spray nozzels throughout the chamber rapidly heating air and steam, resulting in fast and perfect homogenous temperature distribution in the retort.
	Sterilizing Once pre-programmed sterilizing temperature and pressure have been reached, the PLC controls all parameters constantly until the program time ends constantly modulating the air, steam, exhaust and water drain valves. During this time the water pump continues to rum to keep the guaranteed homogeneous temperature and distribution inside the retort.
	Cooling Once sterilization has finished, the cooling phase automaticall begins. At this time the steam valve is closed and the water valve opened to allow cooling water to flow through the Plate Heat Exchanger and back to the cooling tower. Pressure is maintained constantly to prevent product deformation or breakage. During the cooling phase, multiple cooling steps are programmes into the system to obtain fine cooling in the early stages of cooling and rapid cooling in the laster stages. The water pump remains running throughout this process. The drainage valve opens if the water level is too high.
	End of Cycle Once the product has sufficiently cooled and the water circulation pump is off, the exhaust and drain valves are fully opened to release pressure and water inside the retort. Only when the pressure is fully released can the door be opened thanks to the safety door locking system and the baskets be removed.

Waterspray Overpressure Retort Technical data:
	KM-P95SS (pilot)	KM-214SS (1 door) or KM-214SD (2 doors)	KM-414SS (1 door) or KM-414SD (2 door)	KM-614SS (1 door) or KM-614SD (2 doors)
Type of retort	static	static	static	static
Capacity (no. of baskets)	1	2	4	6
Diameter (m)	0.95	1.4	1.4	1.4
Apprx. length (m)	0.85	2	4	6
Power consumption (Kw)	3	6.5	10.5	16
Average steam consumption per cycle (Kg)	50	215	420	620
Average water consumption per cycle (lt)	650	4550	1000	13500
Average air consumption per cycle (m3)	0.7	3	5	7
Air supply pressure (bar)	5
Steam supply pressure (bar)	6 – 8
Water supply pressure (bar)	3 – 6

*Technical data subject to alterations