Produits > GMP Sterilization Equipment > Superheated Water Autoclave (Superheated Water Technology)

Superheated Water Autoclave (Superheated Water Technology)

Superheated water autoclave: versatility and thermal performance

Actini Group designs superheated water autoclaves capable of processing a wide variety of loads: from liquids in sealed containers to solid objects and medical devices. This technology offers the most homogeneous heat transfer on the market for your industrial needs.

Category: Sterilization
Capacity: 30 to 24,000 liters per cycle
Technology: Superheated water (water cascade / spray)

Autoclave polyvalent à eau surchauffée Actini Group pour charges mixtes (solides et liquides).

Vue de face d'un autoclave ventilé en acier inoxydable avec interface de contrôle tactile et colonne lumineuse de statut.

Industrial autoclaves for precise & secure sterilization

Aware of the challenges related to product quality and backed by deep expertise, Actini Group develops solutions based on superheated water technology. This equipment ensures reliable sterilization for both solid products and liquid-filled containers. Through this technological mastery, we meet the requirements of industries (Pharma, Food, Biotech) necessitating sterilization compliant with cGMP and FDA standards.

What is superheated water sterilization?

What does the term
“overheated water” mean?

An overheated water autoclave is a sterilization device that uses liquid water heated above 100 °C under pressure. This technology enables effective sterilization without relying solely on steam.

Thermal mastery:
How does superheated water technology work?

The superheated water autoclave uses liquid water heated to a temperature above 100°C under pressure. This method allows for sterilization without relying exclusively on saturated steam, offering increased thermal flexibility.

Sterilization cycle: precision in thermal and barometric control

Water heated under pressure remains liquid. Homogeneity is ensured by a high-flow circulation pump and spray/cascade manifolds that transmit heat via high-efficiency forced convection. This process destroys microorganisms and inactivates spores while protecting the physical integrity of products in closed containers.

Key advantages:
versatility and thermal control

Packaging Protection: Prevents bubble formation and container deformation thanks to controlled air counter-pressure.
Unmatched Uniformity: The sprayed water flow rate guarantees the absence of cold spots within the chamber.
Product Integrity: No brutal thermal shock; temperature ramps are perfectly linear.
Energy Savings: Optimized heat recovery via plate heat exchangers.

Multi-sector applications

Pharmaceuticals & Ccosmetics: Terminal sterilization of finished products and decontamination of small production equipment (IV bags, parenteral nutrition bags, ampoules).
Research Llaboratories: Sterilization of cages, bedding, or veterinary surgical instruments, and sealed full vials.
Food industry: Pasteurization and sterilization of various containers (trays, jars, flexible pouches).

Durable performance: a design that preserves your investment

Beyond thermal excellence, the Actini Group superheated water autoclave stands out for its intelligent mechanical design, engineered to reduce long-term operating costs.

The end of thermal shocks

Unlike conventional systems using sometimes brutal live steam injections, spray technology relies on perfectly linear heating and cooling phases.

Material Protection: The absence of sudden temperature variations limits the repeated expansion and contraction of steel.
Vessel Integrity: By eliminating thermal stress, we reduce the risk of metal fatigue and micro-cracks on critical welds.

Simplified and Extended Maintenance

The use of a regulated water loop and a plate heat exchanger offers concrete advantages for technical teams:

Preserved Components: Valves, seals, and sensors are not directly attacked by high-pressure saturated steam, significantly extending their service life.
Optimal Accessibility: Thanks to our modular architecture, control components are easily accessible, allowing for rapid intervention without prolonged downtime of your production line.
Increased Profitability: Fewer spare parts and extended maintenance intervals result in one of the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) on the market.

High-Performance Autoclaves for Sensitive Liquids

Superheated water technology is particularly suited for sterilizing liquid loads, as it ensures optimal energy transfer and complete sterilization at the core of the products. It is especially ideal for sealed full vials, ampoules, IV bags, and parenteral nutrition bags. These autoclaves guarantee effective sterilization at temperatures above 105°C.

Autoclave de stérilisation GMP Actini Group

One Technology, Three Load Types

The superheated water autoclave is not just a solution for solutes. Its flexibility allows for managing:

Liquid loads (core business): Pouches, vials, ampoules. Superheated water prevents bursting through counter-pressure.
Porous and wrapped loads: Textiles, filters, machine components. The water cascade allows for effective thermal penetration even on complex geometries.
Medical devices and instruments: Ideal for materials sensitive to repeated vacuum cycles or high saturated steam pressures.

Product Highlights

Conception

Parallelepiped or Cylindrical / cGMP compliant

Opening

Single or double door; Side, vertical (up/down), or hinged opening

Loading

Transport trolley Height-adjustable trolley Loading Basket Automatic conveying Floor-level loading

Custom autoclave design & engineering

Analysis of loads to be sterilized

Type of loads: solid and/or liquid
Quantity per batch and per day, weight
Preliminary and/or final sterilization
Type of loading/unloading required (trolley, floor-level, etc.)
Collection tanks
Associated treatments: pre-sterilization washing, H₂O₂ cycle, etc.

Control, automation & traceability

Sterilizing-grade fluid filtration with optional in-place integrity testing
Recipe management and data recording system: batch reports, raw data, exportable to the client’s server

Installation & environment study

Containment requirements (P3/P4)
cGMP environment
Choice of single- or double-door autoclave
Adaptation of door opening directions: lateral, vertical, hinged

Sizing & utilities

Studies of utilities, connectivity, and scalability
Sizing of required utilities: electricity, steam, demineralized water, compressed air, N₂, etc.
Planning of necessary drainage systems
Integration of a controlled steam generator if required

Discover our brochure

Comparison table of sterilization technologies

Load Type	Saturated Steam	Superheated Water	Air-Steam (Ventilated)
Porous & Stainless Steel	Standard of Excellence	Suitable (Spray)	Highly Efficient
Sealed Liquids	Risk of Overpressure	Maximum Safety (Counter-pressure)	Precise Control (Counter-pressure)
Mixed Loads	Requires long cycles	Excellent Homogeneity	Very good distribution
Fragile Objects	Direct thermal shock	Thermal Progressivity	Very good distribution
Final Drying	Ultra-efficient (Vacuum)	Requires dedicated phase	Efficient (Ventilation)

One of the features doesn’t suit your needs? Discover our other solutions!

Steam vacuum autoclave

Ventilated Autoclave

Ready to optimize your production line?

Get a precise quote and a layout study adapted to your cGMP environment.

Request a personalized quote