GB1235952A - Improvements in or relating to sterilization autoclaves - Google Patents

Abstract

1,235,952. Steam autoclave. V. CLAUDI. 19 Sept., 1969 [29 Oct., 1968], No. 46286/69. Heading A5G. A serilizing autoclave 9 with door 11 is supplied with steam via the conduit 7 which passes through the heater 14 and communicates with the. water feed tank 1 via the shutoff valve 21, injection pump 5 and pipe 3.-A pipe 15, 19 passes from the autoclave to a point in the feed tank above the water level via the condenser 17 and shut-off valve 23 and there is an additional conduit 25 which connects the inside of the autoclave to the atmosphere via the shut-off valve 29 and filter 28 and which also passes through the heater 14. The whole is arranged for automatic operation and is controlled by a conventional programming device 37. In operation, with valve 29 off and valves 21 and 23 open, water from the tank is converted into steam during its passage through the heater, the steam passes into the autoclave chamber and emerges, together with air via the return pipe 15, 19; the water condensing in the cooling coil 20 and being returned to the tank and the air passing to the atmosphere via the outlet 2. When the air has all been expelled, valve 23 is closed and steam continues to enter the autoclave until the sterilization temperature and pressure is reached. This is then maintained for a period, after which valve 23 is opened and the chamber is vented, the valve is reclosed and the sterilization proper is commenced. When sterilization is complete, the steam supply is discontinued, cooling fluid is fed into the cooling coil 33 to condense the steam and valve 29 is opened to allow ingress of filtered air to equalize the pressure within the chamber so that the door may be opened.