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ISSN Online: 2377-424X

ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-421-2

International Heat Transfer Conference 15
August, 10-15, 2014, Kyoto, Japan

Heat and Mass Transfer Modelling of an Industrial Autoclave to Minimise Steam Consumption

Get access (open in a dialog) DOI: 10.1615/IHTC15.nsm.009037
pages 5771-5782

Abstract

Thermal processing is crucial in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and the food processing industries. Processes such as sterilization or canning are necessary for ensuring that products are produced to stringent quality guidelines and regulations. At the same time, thermal processing on a commercial scale requires a significant amount of energy. The present authors have developed an experimentally validated mathematical model in which heat and mass transfer correlations were used to model the full transient performance of an empty operating autoclave used in an industrial setting for sterilizing pharmaceutical products, including the internal temperature and pressure as well as the steam consumption. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the capabilities of such a numerical model with including the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller and also present a proposed solution for reducing energy consumption via insulating the inner walls. The significant reduction in steam consumption and the consequent reduction in energy usage as the result of insulating the inner walls of the autoclave have been obtained.