Abstract: The present invention discloses a pressure processing method and processing apparatus for sterilization, denaturation, etc. of food materials. A free piston is fitted in a pressure container so that the free piston is slidable in an axial direction of the container, the pressure container being partitioned by the free piston into two chambers to prevent mixing and contact between a material to be processed and pressure medium. The material to be processed filled in and supplied to one chamber is pressure-processed by the sliding movement of the piston caused by supplying the pressure medium to the other chamber. Three or more pressure containers, in each of which is fitted a free piston, are provided, and a series of processing operations including pressurizing and holding, discharge and supply of the material to be processed are carried out in a batch continuous manner in the same time zone.

Abstract: A pressure processing method and processing apparatus for sterilization, denaturation, etc. of food materials include a free piston fitted in a pressure container so that the free piston is slidable in an axial direction of the container, the pressure container being partitioned by the free piston into two chambers to prevent mixing and contact between a material to be processed and a pressure medium. The material to be processed filled in and supplied to one chamber is pressure-processed by the sliding movement of the piston caused by supplying the pressure medium to the other chamber. Three or more pressure containers, in each of which is fitted a free piston, are provided, and a series of processing operations including pressurizing and holding, discharge and supply of the material to be processed are carried out in a batch continuous manner in the same time zone.