Working principle and process flow of tubular sterilizer

A tubular sterilizer is an indirect heating sterilization device commonly used in the food industry, particularly in horizontal configurations. It operates based on a shell-and-tube heat exchanger design.

### Working Principle:

- **Material Heating and Sterilization**: The material is pumped into a stainless steel heating tube using a high-pressure pump. Steam enters the shell, heating the material as it flows within the tube.

- **Circulation and Sterilization**: The material circulates through the tube multiple times until it reaches the required sterilization temperature and hold time.

- **Discharge or Re-sterilization**: If the material reaches the required temperature, it is discharged as a finished product. If not, it is returned through a return pipe for re-sterilization.