PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air leak detection device capable of detecting air leak generated during operation and corresponding to changes of sterilization temperature.SOLUTION: It is used for a steam sterilization device 2 for supply steam into a sterilization tank 3 and sterilizing article to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 3 after discharging air from inside of the sterilization tank 3. A heat exchanger 30 is arranged outside of the sterilization tank 3, has a hollow part 32 communicating to inside of the sterilization tank 3 and a liquid communication part 33 of liquid heat exchanged with liquid in the hollow part 32. A determination means determines presence/absence or amount of air leak into the sterilization tank 3 based on inlet temperature, outlet temperature and flow rate of liquid to the liquid communication part 33. The hollow part 32 of the heat exchanger 30 has the sterilization tank 3 connected to a terminal thereof and a projection 34 more outside of the communication part 33 at another terminal. During sterilization, air remaining in the heat exchanger 30 without concentration is extruded to the projection 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1【課題】運転中に生じたエアリークを検知可能で、しかも滅菌温度の変更にも対応可能なエアリーク検知装置を提供する。【解決手段】滅菌槽３内から空気排除後に、滅菌槽３内に蒸気供給して滅菌槽３内の被滅菌物を滅菌する蒸気滅菌装置２に用いられる。熱交換器３０は、滅菌槽３外に設けられ、滅菌槽３内と連通する中空部３２を有すると共に、この中空部３２内の流体と熱交換する液体の通液部３３を有する。判定手段は、通液部３３に対する液体の入口温度、出口温度および流量に基づき、滅菌槽３内へのエアリークの有無または量を判定する。熱交換器３０の前記中空部３２は、一端部に滅菌槽３が接続される一方、他端部に通液部３３よりも外方への突出部３４を備える。滅菌工程中、熱交換器３０において凝縮せずに残留する空気は、前記突出部３４に押し出される。【選択図】図１
