• Retorts/Autoclaves
  • Shuttle And Loading/Unloading Machine
  • Vacuum Fryer

Safety Requirements for Retorts/ Autoclaves

2019.07.18

Retorts/ Autoclaves are pressure vessels with lids or doors, arranged for regular access. They are used in a variety of processes, where products are placed inside the vessel and subjected to greater than atmospheric pressures and, in most cases, elevated temperatures. 

Here we're only talking about the commercial sterilization in the food manufacturing industry.

The method of sterilization is a thermal based process, or the application of high heat to the product.  The high temperatures required in a sterilization process destroys pathogenic organisms that may be present in/on the container and/or food product, and is well above the boiling point of water at normal atmospheric pressure.  So, the retort is by design a “pressure vessel”.  Thermal processing/sterilization of shelf stable, low acid foods (i.e.: defined as products with a finished equilibrium pH greater than 4.6 and a water activity greater than 0.85) is usually performed at temperatures at or above 250°F or 121°C, give or take ~10°F/5.6°C.  The higher the temperature, the shorter the time the product needs to be exposed to heat. 


Innovaster Retorts/Autoclaves have an intrinsically safe door locking mechanism with electrical switches interlocked with the internal vessel pressure. Besides, the retort/autoclave is not capable of being pressurized unless the door is completely closed, the securing mechanism fully engaged. ( Door Swing Open-Manual)


When the vessel is pressurized, the door quick closure system, composed by several teeth in the door and vessel flanges, ensures that the door cannot be opened manually due to the internal pressure acting on them.

Retort/Autoclave should be vented to reduce the internal pressure to atmospheric conditions before the door-securing mechanism can be disengaged.



When the internal pressure has been released enough so the door can be slightly opened through the handwheel, the special designed door teeth allow to release residual pressure before the door is completely opened.




Subscribe to Our Newsletter