Closed, Stationary Steam Chambers

In this class of application there are three different pieces of equipment that might be found. The first is the steam-jacketed press. Product is confined between platens that are filled with steam, and the platens are hydraulically or electrically forced onto the product. Steam-jacketed presses can be used for molding rubber or plastic, compressing plywood and curing plywood or rubber. Laundry presses are specialized versions of jacketed presses with the steam jacket on one side of the product only.

The second piece of equipment of this general type is the steam-jacketed chamber. In this variation the product is placed in a central chamber with steam flowing through a surrounding jacket. While similar to direct injection chambers in purpose, in the steam-jacketed chamber, steam does not contact the product.

The third piece of equipment in this application category uses direct steam injection into the chamber containing the product. In these devices the steam is actually in direct contact with the product. Such devices are autoclaves, used in the production of rubber and plastic products; sterilizers for surgical dressings and gowns; and retorts, which are used to cook food products that are already sealed in cans.