JP2002095723A - Vapor sterilizer and vapor sterilizing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vapor sterilizer of a simple structure which can accurately perform sterilization and its sterilizing method. SOLUTION: A vapor jacket (10) is formed between the inner and outer tanks for a sterilizing can (3) of double-structure. A vapor generator (4) is closely arranged beneath the sterilizing can (3) in a way of direct connection and successively connected to the bottom of a processing chamber (16) inside the sterilization can (3). Plural filters for removing bacteria (18), (19) are arranged in series in an exhaust system route (7) being led out from the upper part of the processing chamber (16). A vapor heating coil (5) is fixed in the vapor generator (4), and the supply of purified water to the vapor generator (4) is made available. A vacuum pump (23) is communicated and connected with the inside of the processing chamber (16).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a laboratory, a laboratory, a laboratory, or a general ward (hereinafter simply referred to as a laboratory, etc.) which is used for a used instrument or liquid medium contaminated with bacteria, etc., or for genetic recombination experiments. The present invention relates to a steam sterilization apparatus and a steam sterilization method used when carrying out an object to be treated such as used instruments outside a laboratory or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a laboratory, various bacteria and viruses are cultured, and experiments and inspections using the bacteria and viruses are performed. The instruments used for such experiments and inspections are contaminated with bacteria and viruses (hereinafter simply referred to as microorganisms), and thus must be sterilized when taken out of the laboratory or the like. In addition, sterilization must be performed when the equipment used in the genetic modification experiment is carried out to a laboratory or the like.

Therefore, conventionally, high-pressure steam is supplied to a sterilization chamber accommodating an object to be processed, and a predetermined temperature (for example, 121 ° C.) is supplied.
For a certain period of time (for example, 20 minutes or more). In this case, the high-pressure steam introduced into the processing chamber is deprived of heat by contact with the object to be processed and condensed in the processing chamber, and this condensed water is discharged outside the processing chamber.

[0004]

However, since the condensed water (drain) discharged from the treatment chamber before the completion of sterilization is in a state of being contaminated with microorganisms, a drain water treatment facility for further sterilizing the drain water drainage system. Had to be placed. Further, even if drain water treatment equipment is installed in the drain drainage system, there is a problem that a pipe portion between the sterilization treatment chamber and the drain water treatment equipment remains contaminated with microorganisms.

[0005] Focusing on such points, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam sterilization method and an apparatus thereof that can surely perform sterilization with a simple structure.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inner tank forming a storage chamber for storing an object to be treated, and a jacket provided outside the inner tank. A sterilization can is constituted by an outer tank positioned through the steam generator, a steam generator is disposed directly below the sterilization can so as to be directly connected to the sterilization can, and the steam generator is connected to the bottom of the inner tank and is connected to the inner tank. A plurality of disinfecting filters are arranged in series in the exhaust path derived from the upper part, a heating steam coil is arranged in the steam generator, and the steam generator is configured to be able to supply purified water. It is characterized by being connected to a vacuum pump.

In the second invention, steam is supplied to a jacket formed between the inner and outer tanks of a sterilized can having a double can structure, and the jacket is heated until a predetermined pressure is reached. When the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure in the processing chamber formed of the inner layer is reduced for a predetermined time, and when the pressure in the processing chamber is completed,
The purified water is supplied to a predetermined level in a steam generator arranged directly below the sterilization can, and when the purified water reaches the predetermined level, the heating steam is supplied to a heating steam coil disposed in the steam generator. The steam generated by the purified water in the steam generator is sent into the processing chamber of the sterilization can to maintain the processing chamber in a steam-saturated state, and drain water condensed by contact with the object to be sterilized is generated by the steam generator. When the internal pressure of the processing chamber is in a pressurized state, the air is exhausted from the exhaust path through a plurality of sterilization filters arranged in series, and the air is removed from the sterilization filter arranged downstream in the exhaust path. After the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the steam heating is continued until a preset time elapses, and after the elapse of the set time, the drain path of the steam generator is opened, the stored water is extracted from the steam generator, and the processing chamber is removed. Internal pressure, and A reduced pressure state that communicates the post-processing chamber to the vacuum pump, by repeating several times the state for a predetermined time at atmospheric pressure while introducing the atmosphere is characterized in that so as to vacuum drying in the processing chamber.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a steam generator is disposed in direct proximity to the lower side of a sterilization can, purified water is supplied into the steam generator, and a heating steam coil is provided. Since the steam generated in the chamber is introduced into the processing chamber, the drain water condensed in the processing chamber flows into the steam generator and is heated again there. Even for drain water contaminated with microorganisms due to a short high-temperature holding time, the processing time and temperature are sufficient while reheating and circulating. Will be sterilized.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a sterilization apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention. This sterilization apparatus has a sterilization can (3) formed by an inner and outer double tank (1) (2). , A steam generator arranged directly below the inner tank (1) under the sterilization can (3)
(4) and a heating coil arranged in the steam generator (4)
(5), a heating steam supply system (6), an exhaust system (7),
A water supply line (8) to the steam generator (4). Although not shown, the inner tank (1) of the sterilization can (3) has an opening / closing door formed on opposing wall surfaces. One opening / closing door is located in a space where a contamination source exists, such as a laboratory, and the other opening / closing door is provided. Faces a space such as a preparation room.

[0010] The heating steam supply line (6) is a steam generator.
In the gap between the inner tank (1) and the outer tank (2) of the sterilization can (3) and the purified water heating steam supply path (9) for supplying steam to the heating coil (5) of (4). And a steam supply path (11) for heating the sterilized can for supplying steam to the formed jacket (10). The steam supply path (9) for heating the purified water and the steam supply path for heating the sterilized can.
(11) is configured to branch and supply steam from the same steam generation source. And a steam discharge path (12) from the heating coil (5) and a steam discharge path from the jacket (10).
(13) is connected to the collective discharge path (14). In addition, a branch passage (15) branched from the steam supply passage (11) for heating the sterilization can.
Is connected to the inner tank (1) of the sterilization can (3) so as to be able to switch communication.

The exhaust path (7) is a sterilization can that becomes the processing chamber (16).
It is led out from the ceiling wall of the inner tank (1) in (3), and two sterilization filters (18) and (19) are arranged in series in this exhaust path (7). Each of the disinfecting filters (18) and (19) has a capacity of 0.1.
A temperature sensor (20) is arranged at the outlet of the sterilization filter (19) located on the downstream side. And the sanitizing filter
A gas discharge path (21) is branched and led out from between (18) and the sterilization filter (19), and the gas discharge path (21) and the exhaust path
(7) is connected to the collective discharge path (14).

A suction passage (22) is connected to the exhaust system (7) downstream of the downstream sterilization filter (19), and a vacuum pump disposed in the suction passage (22). By the operation of (23), the inside of the inner tank (1) of the sterilization can (3) can be decompressed. The discharge side of the vacuum pump (23) is connected to the collective discharge path (14). Furthermore, an exhaust system (7) downstream of the downstream sanitizing filter (19)
An air introduction passage (24) is communicatively connected to the portion.

The steam generator (4) is connected to a purified water supply channel (25), and has a drain discharge channel (26) extending from the bottom. The drain discharge channel (26) is connected to a collective discharge channel (25). It is connected to 14). Reference numeral (27) in the figure denotes a sealing water channel connected to the vacuum pump (23).

[0014] A sterilization procedure using the sterilizer having the above-described configuration will be described. After opening and closing the door on the side of the space where the contamination source exists, such as a laboratory, and storing the object to be treated (contaminant) in the processing chamber (16), close the door and close the sterilization can (3). Then, when the operation start button is pressed, the steam supply path (11) for heating the sterilization can is opened to supply steam to the jacket (10) and heat the inner tank (1). At this time, the drain water condensed and liquefied in the jacket is discharged to the collective discharge path (14) via the vapor discharge path (13).
This drain water is in a clean state because there is no contact with contaminants. The steam supply to the jacket (10) is continued until the sterilization process is completed.

The jacket (10) is heated and pressurized with steam so that the internal pressure of the jacket becomes a predetermined pressure (for example, a gauge pressure of 0.08M).
Pa), the vacuum pump (23) is operated to activate the processing chamber (1).
6) Reduce the pressure inside. At this time, the contaminated processing chamber (16)
The air inside flows into the suction passage (22) via the exhaust passage (7) derived from the inner tank (1), and the two sanitizing filters (18) ( Since (19) is arranged in series, it is discharged in a state where bacteria are removed. Then, the vacuum pump (23) is stopped after operating for a predetermined time, and the suction passage (22) is closed.

Next, a steam generator is connected to the purified water supply channel (25).
(4) The purified water is supplied to maintain the predetermined water level, and the purified water heating steam supply passage (9) supplies heating steam to the heating coil (5) to heat the purified water to produce steam. generate. The steam generator (4) is directly connected to the processing chamber (16), and the processing chamber (16) is constantly depressurized by the generated steam because the pressure in the processing chamber (16) is reduced in the previous stage. It will be heated while maintaining the saturated state. The generated steam comes in contact with the object to be processed accommodated in the processing chamber, and is deprived of heat and condenses. The condensed drain water flows down into the steam generator (4) and flows into the heating coil (5). ) Will be heated.

When the inside of the processing chamber (16) shifts from a reduced pressure state to a pressurized state by the supply of steam from the steam generator (4), the exhaust path (7) and the gas discharge path (21) are opened, and the processing chamber (16) is opened. 16), the gas components in the two sterilization filters (1
8) It is sterilized by passing through (19) and is collected and discharged (14)
Is discharged from Then, when the temperature sensor (20) arranged at the outlet of the downstream-side sterilization filter (19) reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 121 ° C.), the process proceeds to the next step.

The control of the sterilization temperature is based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (20) for detecting the temperature at the outlet of the downstream sterilization filter (18), which is the lowest temperature in the sterilization can (3). The control is performed by controlling the amount of steam supply to (5). Then, a predetermined sterilization atmosphere temperature is maintained for a predetermined time to perform a sterilization process. At this time, the drain water condensed in the processing chamber (16) returns to the steam generator (4) and is re-vaporized. Furthermore, since the sterilizing filters (18) and (19) interposed in the exhaust path (7) are also exposed to the ambient temperature in the processing chamber (16), the sterilizing filters (18) and (19) are simultaneously sterilized. Will be done.

When the sterilization operation for a predetermined time is completed, the drainage drain (26) is opened, and the water stored in the steam generator (4) is discharged until the water level reaches a certain level, and the pressure in the processing chamber (16) is reduced. When the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure (for example, 0.02 MPa), the drain drainage channel (2
6) Close the exhaust path (7) and the gas exhaust path (21).

Next, a vacuum drying step is started. In the vacuum drying step, the vacuum pump (23) is operated, the vacuum pump (23) is connected to the processing chamber (16), the inside of the processing chamber (16) is depressurized and dried, and a predetermined drying time elapses. Then, the air introduction path (24) is communicated with the inside of the processing chamber (16). At this time, since the air is introduced through the sterilization filters (19) and (18), the sterilized air flows into the processing chamber (16). By maintaining the inside of the processing chamber (16) at atmospheric pressure, the object to be processed is heated by the heat from the jacket (10) to replenish the heat of vaporization at the time of the next pressure reduction operation. This process from the reduced pressure to the atmospheric pressure is repeated several times to complete the vacuum drying.

When the above operation is completed, the opening and closing door of the processing chamber (16) located on the side of the space where the contamination source does not exist is opened to take out the sterilized processed object.

When carrying the laboratory equipment and the like into the laboratory or the like, by using this sterilized can as a carrying path, it is possible to prevent equipment or air contaminated with various bacteria from entering the laboratory from outside the laboratory. In order to prevent air and instruments contaminated by the germs and the like from entering, the inside of the processing chamber (16) is subjected to empty sterilization, and then the opening / closing door located on the laboratory or the like side is opened.

When the laboratory is a clean room,
When unloading the processed material (substance to be sterilized) continuously, open the door on the outside space side of the laboratory at the time of taking out the processed material after sterilization in the previous process, so that various bacteria may enter the processing room. Contaminated external air flows in and fills. Because of this,
If the door on the laboratory or the like side is opened in order to carry out the processed material continuously, the air in the processing room flows into the laboratory or the like. Open the door located on the side.

In this empty sterilization process, steam is supplied into the jacket (10) to heat the inside of the processing chamber (16), and then the processing chamber (1) is heated.
A vacuum pump (23) is connected to the inside of the processing chamber (16) so that the inside of the processing chamber (16) is maintained in a reduced pressure atmosphere.
Steam is supplied from (15) to sterilize the inside of the processing chamber (16).
The drain water condensed in this processing chamber (16) is
It flows down into (4) and is discharged from the drain drainage channel (26).

When the processing chamber (16) is pressurized by the steam supplied from the branch passage (15), the steam is discharged from the exhaust path (7). At this time, the discharged steam will be discharged through the sterilization filters (18) and (19),
No polluted vapor is released to the outside. When the temperature sensor (20) disposed at the outlet of the downstream sterilization filter (19) in the exhaust path (7) detects that the temperature has reached a predetermined temperature (for example, 121 ° C.), the state is determined. Is controlled so as to maintain the sterilization atmosphere temperature for a predetermined time.

After the specified sterilization time has elapsed, the processing chamber
By stopping the steam supply to (16), the drain passage (2
6), the steam escapes through the exhaust path (7) and the gas discharge path (21), and the processing chamber (16) is set to a predetermined pressure (for example, 0.02 MPa).
Then, the drain passage (26), the exhaust passage (7) and the gas exhaust passage (21) are closed, and the same vacuum drying process as described above is started. When the vacuum drying is completed, the atmosphere is introduced into the processing chamber (16). The inside is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the opening and closing door of the processing chamber (16) located on the laboratory room side is opened.

In the sterilization of the liquid medium, sterilization is performed by the same procedure as the sterilization procedure of the above-mentioned instruments, and the apparatus is cooled by natural heat radiation without using a vacuum drying step.

As described above, in the present invention, the steam generator (4) is arranged in a state directly connected to the lower side of the sterilization can (3),
(3) Drain water condensed in the processing chamber (16) in the steam generator
Since it is received in (4) and re-evaporated, the stored water in the steam generator (4) that is finally discharged is heated sufficiently at the sterilization temperature, so the stored water is discharged. The water will be sterilized. Therefore, a secondary sterilization process is not required.

[0029]

According to the present invention, a steam generator is disposed in direct proximity to the lower side of a sterilization can, purified water is supplied into the steam generator, and a heating steam coil is provided. Since the steam generated in the vessel is introduced into the processing chamber, the drain water condensed in the processing chamber flows into the steam generator, where it is heated again.
For this reason, even if the drain water contaminated by microorganisms is short due to a short high-temperature holding time at the beginning of the treatment, the treatment time and the treatment temperature become sufficient while it is being reheated and circulated. When the treatment is completed, the drain water can be surely sterilized.

This eliminates the need for a treatment facility for treating the drain water and, as described above, the drain water flows out in a completely sterilized state. There is no pollution.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inner tank, 2 ... Outer tank, 3 ... Sterilized can, 4 ... Steam generator, 5
... Steam coil for heating, 7 ... Exhaust system, 10 ... Jacket,
16: treatment chamber, 18/19: sanitizing filter, 23: vacuum pump section, 26: drain path.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Sankita 6-27 Kamihigashi, Hirano-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture F-term (reference) 4C058 AA12 BB05 CC04 CC07 DD02 DD04 EE12 EE26

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An inner tank (1) constituting a processing chamber (16) for accommodating an object to be processed, which is an object to be sterilized, and is located outside the inner tank (1) via a jacket (10). Sterilized can with outer tank (2)
(3) and a steam generator (4) below the sterilization can (3).
And the steam generator (4) is connected to the bottom of the inner tank (1), and the exhaust line is drawn out from the upper part of the inner tank (1).
A plurality of sterilizing filters (18) and (19) are arranged in series in (7), a heating steam coil (5) is arranged in a steam generator (4), and purification is performed on the steam generator (4). A steam sterilizer configured to be able to supply water and having the inside of the inner tank (1) connected to a vacuum pump (23). 2. Steam is supplied to a jacket (10) formed between the inner and outer tank bodies of the sterilization can (3) formed in a double structure, and heated until the inside of the jacket (10) reaches a predetermined pressure, When the pressure in the jacket (10) reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure in the processing chamber (16) formed by the inner tank (1) is reduced for a predetermined time, and when the pressure in the processing chamber (16) is completed, the sterilization can (3) is removed. Purified water is supplied to a predetermined water level into a steam generator (4) arranged directly below, and when the purified water reaches a predetermined water level, a heating steam coil ( 5) Heating steam is passed through the steam generator
(4) The steam generated by the purified water in the sterilization can (3)
(16) to maintain the inside of the processing chamber (16) in a steam-saturated state, and to return the drain water condensed by contact with the object to be sterilized to the steam generator (4) for re-vaporization. And processing room
When the internal pressure of (16) is in a pressurized state, the air is exhausted from the exhaust system (7) through a plurality of sterilization filters (18) and (19) arranged in series, and arranged downstream of the exhaust system (7). Disinfection filter
After the temperature of (19) reaches the predetermined temperature, the steam heating is continued until a preset time elapses, and after the elapse of the set time, the drain path (26) of the steam generator (4) is opened to generate steam. vessel
Withdrawing the stored water from (4), reducing the internal pressure of the processing chamber (16), and then reducing the pressure by connecting the processing chamber (16) to the vacuum pump (23), and introducing air into the processing chamber (16). A method of maintaining the atmospheric pressure for a predetermined period of time, and repeating vacuum drying several times.