Sanitary stainless steel heating system

Abstract

A sanitary fluid heater includes a corrosion resistant stainless steel housing, a stainless steel cap securely positioned over an open end of the housing, and a heating element disposed within the housing. The cap defines an internal cavity which includes an internal wall having an aperture therethrough for receiving an end of the heating element which extends beyond the open end of the housing to form a corrosion resistant hermetic seal over the open end of the housing. Fluid contacting inner surfaces of the housing and the cap are polished smooth. In one embodiment, inlet and outlet fittings are attached to the housing to define, respectively, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The inlet and outlet each have a sanitary fitting at an end thereof which faces a corresponding sanitary fitting of a respective fluid inlet or fluid outlet line. Gaskets placed between facing sanitary fittings and clamps form fluid-tight connections between the facing sanitary fittings. A plurality of such heaters may be fluidly interconnected to form a sanitary fluid heating system. In another embodiment, an immersion heater comprises a housing having an open end forming a sanitary fitting and a corrosion resistant cap having a sanitary fitting positioned over the open end of the housing and secured to the housing with a clamp similar to the first embodiment. The heater is placed into an open tank or inserted into a port designed to accommodate the heater in a fluid-tight connection.