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What does a steam sterilizer include?

Release time：2015-10-22

Autoclave What does it include?

Based on the method of cold-air expulsion, steam sterilizers are classified into two main types: downward-exhaust steam sterilizers and pre-vacuum steam sterilizers. Downward-exhaust steam sterilizers, also known as gravity-displacement steam sterilizers, operate on the principle of gravity displacement: hot steam flows from top to bottom within the chamber, displacing the cold air through the lower exhaust port. The displaced cold air is replaced by saturated steam, and the latent heat released by the steam ensures that the articles are thoroughly sterilized. Pre-vacuum steam sterilizers, on the other hand, employ mechanical vacuum pumping to create negative pressure inside the chamber, allowing steam to rapidly penetrate deep into the articles for effective sterilization. Depending on the number of vacuum cycles, they are further divided into pre-vacuum and pulsatile vacuum types; the latter, with its multiple vacuum cycles, achieves more complete air removal and delivers more reliable sterilization performance.

Pressure steam sterilizers can be supplied with steam from an external piped steam source, or they can be equipped with an electric steam boiler to generate steam on demand at any time. Some small, downward-exhaust type pressure steam sterilizers can also achieve steam generation by heating the water in the chamber using an electric furnace or a gas burner. In general, steam from an external piped source is more readily available and better suited for larger pressure steam sterilizers, whereas electric steam boilers typically produce a smaller amount of steam per unit time and require a longer heating period.

Traditional autoclaves are single-door models; however, as the demand for aseptic handling continues to grow, double-door autoclaves are becoming increasingly common. These units are particularly well suited for facilities that separate clean and contaminated areas, as they are designed to process contaminated items that move from the contaminated area into the clean area. In hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, double-door autoclaves are also frequently used for processing certain products during the production process.

Based on the position of the steam pipe within the pot, there are two configurations: the jacketed type and the tube-in-tube type. In the former, the steam pipe is located outside the pot chamber, which is the conventional design. It has the advantages of not occupying internal volume, facilitating the discharge of items, and simplifying pot maintenance. In the latter, the steam pipe is situated inside the pot chamber, offering the benefits of easier processing, a larger heat-transfer area, and more direct and rapid heating.

Because the volume of a pressure sterilizer is related to its performance and monitoring methods, the standardization committee classifies pressure steam sterilizers with a volume of less than 60 liters as small pressure steam sterilizers. Depending on the shape and design of the unit, there are also distinctions between vertical, horizontal, benchtop, and mobile pressure steam sterilizers.

Conventional steam sterilizers are generally not designed with consideration for environmental contamination caused by the discharge of cold air; however, when processing infectious materials, the cold air must be disinfected. In particular, pressure steam sterilizers used in biosafety laboratories should be equipped with cold-air disinfection systems on their exhaust lines.

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