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

1. A retort sterilization device for performing heat sterilization in a pressurized state, comprising:

a heating pot for accommodating retort food; and

a water steam generation device for generating water steam which is minute-pressure vapor;

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 includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in the liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path;

the heating vapor from a boiler is introduced into the vapor path of the heat exchanger;

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;

the heat exchanger is connected to the 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;

the liquid container is coupled to the heating pot; and

the heat exchanger, the liquid container, and the heating pot are connected so as to form a sealed space.

2. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein:

the liquid is stored 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.

3. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid container is provided with a water level adjustment member for adjusting the water level of the liquid.

4. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid container is connected to the heating pot via a coupling pipe.

5. The retort sterilization device of claim 4 , wherein:

the liquid container includes a liquid pot main body having a top opening in an upper part thereof and a lid for sealing the top opening of the liquid pot main body;

the liquid pot main body is a pressure-resistant container;

a bottom part of the liquid pot main body is connected to the communicating tube; and

the lid is connected to the coupling pipe.

6. The retort sterilization 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 located in the heating pot.

7. The retort sterilization device of claim 6 , wherein a bottom surface of the liquid pot main body is connected to the communicating tube.

8. The retort sterilization device of claim 6 , wherein a top lid which does not seal the top opening is provided at the top opening of the liquid pot main body.

9. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein:

the heating pot is cylindrical; and

a plate on which a container for accommodating the retort food is to be placed is located in the heating pot.

10. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the water steam ejection section is a sparge pipe located so as to extend in a horizontal direction in the heating pot.

11. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the water steam ejection sections are located in the heating pot.

12. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the water steam ejection section is located in a lower area in the heating pot.

13. The retort sterilization device of claim 12 , wherein:

at least two of the water steam ejection sections are located in the lower area in the heating pot; and

at least two of the water steam ejection sections are located in an area above the lower area in the heating pot.

14. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein a lower part of the heating pot is connected to a discharge pipe for discharging gas in the heating pot to outside the heating pot.

15. The retort sterilization device of claim 14 , wherein:

the discharge pipe is connected to a variable valve for varying an opened/closed state of the discharge pipe; and

the discharge pipe is capable of discharging drip water from a bottom part of the heating pot.

16. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the heating pot is provided with at least one of an air discharge valve for discharging air in the heating pot to outside the heating pot and a proportional valve as a pressure relief valve for adjusting an internal pressure.

17. The retort sterilization device of claim 16 , wherein the air discharge valve is attached to a highest part of the heating pot.

18. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein a heating device for heating the water steam is provided at a part of the water steam supply pipe connected to the water steam ejection section.

19. The retort sterilization device of claim 18 , wherein the heating device is an electric heater.

20. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the retort sterilization device is a pressurization and heating device for circulating the water steam through the heat exchanger, the heating pot and the liquid container to put an internal area of the heating pot into a pressurized state.

21. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the water steam generated by the water steam generation device is saturated water vapor having a minute pressure of 0.12 MPaA or less.

22. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein a cooling water supply pipe is connected to a part of the water steam supply pipe such that cooling water is ejected from the water steam ejection section.

23. The retort sterilization device of claim 1 , wherein the communicating tube for providing communication between the heat exchanger and the liquid container is branched into a first path and a second path.

24. The retort sterilization device of claim 23 , wherein a circulation pump for circulating the liquid is located in the second path.