JP5317015B2 - Steam sterilizer - Google Patents

Steam sterilizer Download PDF

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JP5317015B2
JP5317015B2 JP2009081219A JP2009081219A JP5317015B2 JP 5317015 B2 JP5317015 B2 JP 5317015B2 JP 2009081219 A JP2009081219 A JP 2009081219A JP 2009081219 A JP2009081219 A JP 2009081219A JP 5317015 B2 JP5317015 B2 JP 5317015B2
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sterilization tank
pressure
steam
sterilization
tank
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JP2010227485A (en
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敏広 茅原
裕一 高橋
昌志 谷口
克彦 長谷部
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Miura Co Ltd
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Description

本発明は、蒸気を用いて医療器具などを滅菌する蒸気滅菌器と、そのような蒸気滅菌器において滅菌工程前に行われる空気排除方法とに関するものである。   The present invention relates to a steam sterilizer that sterilizes medical instruments and the like using steam, and an air evacuation method performed in such a steam sterilizer before a sterilization step.

従来、下記特許文献1に開示されるように、滅菌工程前の空気排除工程として、滅菌槽内に加圧蒸気を導入し排出することによって、滅菌槽内からの空気排除を図ることが提案されている。具体的には、加圧蒸気で滅菌槽内をパージすることによって、滅菌槽内からの空気排除を図ると共に、その後、加圧蒸気の導入による滅菌槽内の加圧と、その蒸気の排出による滅菌槽内の復圧とを繰り返すことで、滅菌槽内からの空気排除をさらに図ることが提案されている。   Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, as an air evacuation process prior to the sterilization process, it has been proposed to attempt to exclude air from the sterilization tank by introducing and discharging pressurized steam into the sterilization tank. ing. Specifically, by purging the inside of the sterilization tank with pressurized steam, the air is removed from the inside of the sterilization tank. After that, by pressurizing the sterilization tank by introducing pressurized steam and discharging the steam. It has been proposed to further eliminate air from the sterilization tank by repeating the return pressure in the sterilization tank.

また、滅菌工程前の空気排除工程として、真空ポンプによる滅菌槽内の減圧と、蒸気供給による滅菌槽内の復圧とを繰り返すことで、滅菌槽内からの空気排除を図ることも知られている。   In addition, it is also known to eliminate air from the sterilization tank by repeatedly reducing the pressure in the sterilization tank using a vacuum pump and returning the pressure in the sterilization tank by supplying steam as an air evacuation process before the sterilization process. Yes.

特開平9−266943号公報(請求項1、請求項3、請求項7、段落番号0042−0046)JP-A-9-266943 (Claim 1, Claim 3, Claim 7, Paragraph Nos. 0042-0046)

前記特許文献1に開示される発明のように、滅菌槽内を蒸気でパージ後、直ちに滅菌槽内を蒸気で加圧するのでは、蒸気の凝縮により発生した凝縮水の沸騰蒸発が起こらないため、蒸気の凝縮量が増える。凝縮水量が多いと、滅菌工程後の乾燥工程において、被滅菌物が十分に乾かないおそれがある。   As in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, after purging the inside of the sterilization tank with steam, immediately pressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank with steam, the boiling evaporation of the condensed water generated by the condensation of the steam does not occur. The amount of steam condensation increases. If the amount of condensed water is large, the object to be sterilized may not be sufficiently dried in the drying step after the sterilization step.

一方、単に、真空ポンプによる滅菌槽内の減圧と、蒸気供給による滅菌槽内の復圧とを繰り返すだけでは、初回の減圧時、滅菌槽内には蒸気がないので、減圧速度が遅くなる。すなわち、滅菌槽内の減圧時、真空ポンプによる真空引きで減圧されるのはもちろんであるが、滅菌槽内に蒸気があれば、真空ポンプまたはその上流側に所望により設置される熱交換器内で滅菌槽内からの蒸気が凝縮することで、体積が急激に減少するため、排気速度が高められる。従って、蒸気供給せずに滅菌槽内を減圧するのでは、蒸気凝縮がないので減圧速度が遅くなる。   On the other hand, simply repeating the depressurization in the sterilization tank by the vacuum pump and the return pressure in the sterilization tank by the supply of steam causes the depressurization speed to be slow because there is no steam in the sterilization tank at the first depressurization. That is, when the pressure in the sterilization tank is reduced, it is of course reduced by vacuuming with a vacuum pump, but if there is steam in the sterilization tank, the vacuum pump or the heat exchanger installed on the upstream side as desired Since the vapor from the inside of the sterilization tank condenses, the volume is rapidly reduced, so that the exhaust speed is increased. Therefore, if the pressure in the sterilization tank is reduced without supplying steam, there is no vapor condensation, and the pressure reduction speed becomes slow.

本発明が解決しようとする課題は、凝縮水を過剰に生じさせることなく、短時間に効率よく滅菌槽内からの空気排除を図ることにある。   The problem to be solved by the present invention is to efficiently remove air from the sterilization tank in a short time without excessively generating condensed water.

本発明は、前記課題を解決するためになされたもので、請求項1に記載の発明は、被滅菌物が収容される滅菌槽と、この滅菌槽内の気体を外部へ吸引排出して、前記滅菌槽内を減圧する減圧手段と、減圧された前記滅菌槽内へ外気を導入して、前記滅菌槽内を復圧する復圧手段と、前記滅菌槽内へ飽和蒸気を供給する給蒸手段と、大気圧との差圧により前記滅菌槽内の気体を外部へ導出する排気手段と、滅菌工程前の空気排除工程として、蒸気温度が105℃を超えるほど前記滅菌槽内が加圧されないように前記排気手段による前記滅菌槽内からの排気を可能としつつ前記給蒸手段により前記滅菌槽内へ蒸気供給を行うパージ操作の後、前記排気手段による排気と前記給蒸手段による蒸気供給とを停止した状態で、前記減圧手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧操作を行う制御手段とを備え、前記制御手段は、前記空気排除工程として、前記減圧操作後、前記給蒸手段による前記滅菌槽内の昇圧と前記減圧手段または前記排気手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧とからなる昇減圧操作を一回以上行い、この昇減圧操作の最後の昇圧は、前記給蒸手段による前記滅菌槽内への蒸気供給により、その後の前記滅菌工程における保持圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力まで行うことを特徴とする蒸気滅菌器である。 The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a sterilization tank in which an object to be sterilized is stored, and a gas in the sterilization tank is sucked and discharged to the outside. Depressurizing means for depressurizing the inside of the sterilization tank, return pressure means for introducing outside air into the sterilized tank that has been depressurized to restore the pressure inside the sterilization tank, and steaming means for supplying saturated steam into the sterilization tank And an exhaust means for deriving the gas in the sterilization tank to the outside by a differential pressure from the atmospheric pressure, and as an air exhaust process before the sterilization process, the sterilization tank is not pressurized as the steam temperature exceeds 105 ° C. After the purge operation of supplying steam into the sterilization tank by the steam supply means while allowing the exhaust means to exhaust from the inside of the sterilization tank, the exhaust by the exhaust means and the steam supply by the steam supply means In the stopped state, the destruction by the decompression means. Control means for performing a decompression operation in the tank, the control means, as the air exclusion step, after the decompression operation, the pressure increase in the sterilization tank by the steam supply means and the pressure reduction means or the exhaust means The ascending / depressurizing operation consisting of depressurization in the sterilization tank is performed one or more times, and the final pressurization of the ascending / depressurizing operation is performed by supplying steam into the sterilization tank by the steam supply means, and holding pressure in the subsequent sterilization step It is a steam sterilizer characterized by performing up to 0.5 to 1 times the pressure.

請求項1に記載の発明によれば、滅菌槽内を蒸気でパージ後、滅菌槽内を減圧するので、蒸気の凝縮により発生した凝縮水が沸騰蒸発するため、凝縮水を過剰に生じさせることがない。また、滅菌槽内を蒸気でパージすることで、被滅菌物の昇温と滅菌槽内の空気排除とを並行して行うことができるので、滅菌工程前の前処理時間の短縮を図ることができる。また、パージのために滅菌槽内へ供給され、滅菌槽内に残留した蒸気や、パージのために滅菌槽内へ供給され、一旦は凝縮したがその後の減圧によって沸騰して得られる蒸気は、水封式真空ポンプなどの減圧手段により吸引されるが、その際の再凝縮による急激な体積の減少で、滅菌槽内からの排気速度を速めるので、この点からも滅菌工程前の前処理時間の短縮を図ることができる。さらに、請求項1に記載の発明によれば、空気排除工程の最終段階で、滅菌槽内へ蒸気を供給して、滅菌工程における保持圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力とした後、その蒸気を排気して滅菌槽内を減圧することになる。滅菌工程における保持圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力まで昇圧後に排気することで、この間の圧力差を十分に確保して、滅菌槽内の残留空気の追い出しを図ることができる。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the inside of the sterilization tank is decompressed after purging the inside of the sterilization tank with steam, the condensed water generated by the condensation of the steam is boiled and evaporated, so that the condensed water is generated excessively. There is no. Moreover, by purging the inside of the sterilization tank with steam, it is possible to increase the temperature of the object to be sterilized and to eliminate the air in the sterilization tank in parallel, so that the pretreatment time before the sterilization process can be shortened. it can. In addition, steam that is supplied into the sterilization tank for purging and remaining in the sterilization tank, or steam that is supplied into the sterilization tank for purging and condensed once but boiled by subsequent decompression, Although it is sucked in by a decompression means such as a water-sealed vacuum pump, the exhaust rate from the inside of the sterilization tank is increased due to the rapid volume reduction due to recondensing at that time. Can be shortened. Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 1, after supplying steam into the sterilization tank at the final stage of the air exclusion process, the pressure is 0.5 to 1 times the holding pressure in the sterilization process. The steam is exhausted and the inside of the sterilization tank is decompressed. By exhausting after raising the pressure to 0.5 to 1 times the holding pressure in the sterilization step, a sufficient pressure difference can be secured during this time, and the residual air in the sterilization tank can be driven out.

請求項2に記載の発明は、前記パージ操作に代えて、前記減圧操作において、前記減圧手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧の中途で、前記滅菌槽内を復圧させない程度に前記給蒸手段による前記滅菌槽内への蒸気供給を一時的に行い、その後、その蒸気供給を停止した状態で前記減圧手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧をさらに行い、前記一時的な蒸気供給中も、前記減圧手段の作動を継続して、前記滅菌槽内の圧力を低下させることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の蒸気滅菌器である。 In the invention according to claim 2, in place of the purge operation, in the decompression operation, the steam supply means does not restore the pressure in the sterilization tank during the decompression of the sterilization tank by the decompression means. temporarily perform steam supply to the sterilization bath, then have further row decompression of the sterilization chamber by the pressure reducing means in a state of stopping the steam supply, even during the temporary steam supply, the vacuum The steam sterilizer according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of the means is continued to reduce the pressure in the sterilization tank .

請求項2に記載の発明によれば、減圧途中で蒸気を導入することで、空気のみを排気し続ける場合と比べて、排気速度を高め、滅菌工程前の前処理時間の短縮を図ることができる。たとえば、減圧手段が水封式真空ポンプの場合、性能限界に近い圧力では排気速度が急激に低下してしまうが、減圧途中に蒸気を一時的に導入すれば、その蒸気および一旦凝縮したがその後に再蒸発した蒸気は、水封式真空ポンプへ吸引される際、再凝縮して急激に体積を減少させるので、滅菌槽内からの排気速度を速めることができる。   According to the invention described in claim 2, by introducing steam in the middle of decompression, the exhaust speed can be increased and the pretreatment time before the sterilization process can be shortened compared to the case where only air is continuously exhausted. it can. For example, when the pressure reducing means is a water-sealed vacuum pump, the exhaust speed drops rapidly at a pressure close to the performance limit. However, if steam is temporarily introduced during the pressure reduction, the steam and the condensed once When the vapor re-evaporated into the water is sucked into the water-sealed vacuum pump, it recondenses and rapidly decreases in volume, so that the exhaust speed from the inside of the sterilization tank can be increased.

本発明によれば、凝縮水を過剰に生じさせることなく、短時間に効率よく滅菌槽内からの空気排除を図ることができる。   According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently remove air from the sterilization tank in a short time without generating excessive condensed water.

本発明の蒸気滅菌器の一実施例を示す概略図である。It is the schematic which shows one Example of the steam sterilizer of this invention. 図1の蒸気滅菌器の運転方法の一例を示す図であり、滅菌槽内の圧力と経過時間との関係を示している。It is a figure which shows an example of the operating method of the steam sterilizer of FIG. 1, and has shown the relationship between the pressure in a sterilization tank, and elapsed time. 図1の蒸気滅菌器の運転方法の他の例を示す図であり、滅菌槽内の圧力と経過時間との関係を示している。It is a figure which shows the other example of the operating method of the steam sterilizer of FIG. 1, and has shown the relationship between the pressure in a sterilization tank, and elapsed time. 図2の変形例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the modification of FIG. 図2のさらに別の変形例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows another modification of FIG.

以下、この発明の具体的実施例を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図1は、本発明の蒸気滅菌器の一実施例を示す概略図である。本実施例の蒸気滅菌器1は、被滅菌物が収容される滅菌槽2と、この滅菌槽2内の気体を外部へ吸引排出して滅菌槽2内を減圧する減圧手段3と、減圧された滅菌槽2内へ外気を導入して滅菌槽2内を復圧する復圧手段4と、滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を供給する給蒸手段5と、大気圧との差圧により滅菌槽2内の気体を外部へ導出する排気手段6と、滅菌槽2内から蒸気トラップ7を介して排水を図るドレン排出手段8と、滅菌槽2内の圧力を検出する圧力センサ9と、滅菌槽2内の温度を検出する温度センサ10と、これらセンサ9,10の検出信号などに基づき前記各手段を制御する制御手段(図示省略)とを備える。
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the steam sterilizer of the present invention. The steam sterilizer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a sterilization tank 2 in which an object to be sterilized is stored, a decompression unit 3 that sucks and discharges the gas in the sterilization tank 2 to the outside, and decompresses the sterilization tank 2. The inside of the sterilization tank 2 is returned to the sterilization tank 2 by the pressure difference between the return pressure means 4 for introducing outside air into the sterilization tank 2 and returning the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, the steam supply means 5 for supplying steam to the sterilization tank 2, and the atmospheric pressure. The exhaust means 6 for deriving the gas to the outside, the drain discharge means 8 for draining from the sterilization tank 2 via the steam trap 7, the pressure sensor 9 for detecting the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, and the sterilization tank 2 And a control means (not shown) for controlling each means based on detection signals of the sensors 9 and 10 and the like.

被滅菌物は、特に問わないが、典型的には鉗子やメスのような医療器具である。被滅菌物は、カストや滅菌コンテナなどの容器または袋に入れられていてもよいことは言うまでもない。   The article to be sterilized is not particularly limited, but is typically a medical instrument such as a forceps or a scalpel. Needless to say, the article to be sterilized may be placed in a container or bag such as a cast or sterilization container.

滅菌槽2は、内部空間の減圧に耐える中空容器であり、典型的には略矩形のボックス状に形成される。本実施例の滅菌槽2は、被滅菌物を出し入れするための扉(図示省略)が正面(紙面に対し垂直手前側)に設けられている。但し、正面および背面にそれぞれ扉を設け、一方の扉を、滅菌槽2内に被滅菌物を入れるための搬入扉とし、他方の扉を、滅菌処理後に滅菌槽2外に被滅菌物を取り出すための搬出扉としてもよい。いずれの場合も、滅菌槽2内を密閉可能に、扉は閉じられる。   The sterilization tank 2 is a hollow container that can withstand the decompression of the internal space, and is typically formed in a substantially rectangular box shape. In the sterilization tank 2 of the present embodiment, a door (not shown) for taking in and out the article to be sterilized is provided on the front (on the front side perpendicular to the paper surface). However, doors are provided on the front and the back, respectively, and one door is used as a loading door for putting an object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2, and the other door is taken out of the sterilization tank 2 after sterilization. It is good also as a carry-out door for. In either case, the door is closed so that the inside of the sterilization tank 2 can be sealed.

滅菌槽2の外壁には、滅菌槽2内を外側から温めるために、蒸気を入れる中空部としてのジャケット11が設けられている。このジャケット11は、本実施例では、滅菌槽2の上下左右の各壁体に連続的に設けられる。具体的には、蒸気滅菌器1は、内缶12と外缶13との二重構造の中空容器を備え、内缶12にて滅菌槽2が構成され、内缶12と外缶13との隙間がジャケット11とされる。   The outer wall of the sterilization tank 2 is provided with a jacket 11 as a hollow portion for containing steam in order to warm the inside of the sterilization tank 2 from the outside. In this embodiment, the jacket 11 is continuously provided on each of the upper, lower, left and right wall bodies of the sterilization tank 2. Specifically, the steam sterilizer 1 includes a hollow container having a double structure of an inner can 12 and an outer can 13, and the sterilization tank 2 is configured by the inner can 12. The gap is the jacket 11.

滅菌槽2には、滅菌槽2内の気体を外部へ吸引排出して滅菌槽2内を減圧する減圧手段3が接続される。本実施例の減圧手段3は、滅菌槽2内の気体を、真空ライン14を介して吸引排出する。真空ライン14は、滅菌槽2の底部に接続されてもよいが、図示例では滅菌槽2の側部に接続されている。   The sterilization tank 2 is connected to a decompression means 3 that sucks and discharges the gas in the sterilization tank 2 to the outside and decompresses the sterilization tank 2. The decompression means 3 of this embodiment sucks and discharges the gas in the sterilization tank 2 through the vacuum line 14. The vacuum line 14 may be connected to the bottom of the sterilization tank 2, but is connected to the side of the sterilization tank 2 in the illustrated example.

真空ライン14には、滅菌槽2の側から順に、真空弁15と、水封式の真空ポンプ16とが設けられる。さらに、真空ライン14には、所望により、真空弁15と真空ポンプ16との間に、熱交換器が設けられてもよい。この熱交換器は、冷却用水が給排水され、その水と真空ライン14内の蒸気とを間接熱交換して、真空ライン14内の蒸気を冷却し凝縮させる。   The vacuum line 14 is provided with a vacuum valve 15 and a water-sealed vacuum pump 16 in order from the sterilization tank 2 side. Furthermore, the vacuum line 14 may be provided with a heat exchanger between the vacuum valve 15 and the vacuum pump 16 as desired. In this heat exchanger, cooling water is supplied and discharged, and the water and the steam in the vacuum line 14 are indirectly heat-exchanged to cool and condense the steam in the vacuum line 14.

水封式の真空ポンプ16は、周知のとおり、封水と呼ばれる水が供給されて作動される。そのために、真空ポンプ16には、封水給水弁17を介して水が供給され排出される。真空ポンプ16を作動させる際、封水給水弁17は、真空ポンプ16に連動して開かれる。   As is well known, the water-sealed vacuum pump 16 is supplied with water called sealed water. Therefore, water is supplied to the vacuum pump 16 through the sealed water supply valve 17 and discharged. When the vacuum pump 16 is operated, the sealed water supply valve 17 is opened in conjunction with the vacuum pump 16.

滅菌槽2には、減圧下の滅菌槽2内へ外気を導入して滅菌槽2内を復圧する復圧手段4が接続される。本実施例の復圧手段4は、減圧下の滅菌槽2内に、給気ライン18を介して外気を導入する。給気ライン18には、滅菌槽2へ向けて順に、無菌フィルタ19、給気弁20および逆止弁21が設けられる。滅菌槽2内が減圧された状態で給気弁20を開くと、差圧により外気を滅菌槽2内へ導入して、滅菌槽2内を復圧することができる。   The sterilization tank 2 is connected to a decompression means 4 that introduces outside air into the sterilization tank 2 under reduced pressure to restore the pressure in the sterilization tank 2. The return pressure means 4 of the present embodiment introduces outside air into the sterilization tank 2 under reduced pressure via an air supply line 18. The air supply line 18 is provided with a sterile filter 19, an air supply valve 20, and a check valve 21 in order toward the sterilization tank 2. When the air supply valve 20 is opened in a state where the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized, the outside air can be introduced into the sterilization tank 2 by the differential pressure, and the inside of the sterilization tank 2 can be decompressed.

滅菌槽2には、滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を吹き込む給蒸手段5が接続される。本実施例の給蒸手段5は、ボイラなどの蒸気供給源から給蒸ライン22を介して、滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を導入する。給蒸ライン22には、滅菌槽2へ向けて順に、減圧弁(図示省略)および給蒸弁23が設けられる。給蒸弁23を開閉することで、滅菌槽2内への蒸気供給の有無を切り替えることができる。   The sterilization tank 2 is connected with steam supply means 5 for blowing steam into the sterilization tank 2. The steam supply means 5 of the present embodiment introduces steam into the sterilization tank 2 through a steam supply line 22 from a steam supply source such as a boiler. The steam supply line 22 is sequentially provided with a pressure reducing valve (not shown) and a steam supply valve 23 toward the sterilization tank 2. By opening and closing the steam supply valve 23, the presence or absence of steam supply into the sterilization tank 2 can be switched.

滅菌槽2には、大気圧との差圧により滅菌槽2内の気体を外部へ導出する排気手段6と、滅菌槽2内から蒸気トラップ7を介して排水を図るドレン排出手段8とが接続される。本実施例の排気手段6は、滅菌槽2内の気体を、排気ライン24を介して導出する。一方、本実施例のドレン排出手段8は、滅菌槽2内へ供給された蒸気の凝縮水を、排水ライン25を介して導出する。図示例では、排気ライン24と排水ライン25とは、上流側と下流側とにおいて、共通ライン26,27として統一されている。下流側の共通ライン27には、逆止弁28が設けられ、その下流には、真空ポンプ16からの排出ライン29が逆止弁30を介して接続されると共に、後述する外缶ドレン排出ライン31が接続される。   Connected to the sterilization tank 2 are an exhaust means 6 for leading the gas in the sterilization tank 2 to the outside by a differential pressure from the atmospheric pressure, and a drain discharge means 8 for draining from the sterilization tank 2 via a steam trap 7. Is done. The exhaust means 6 of the present embodiment guides the gas in the sterilization tank 2 through the exhaust line 24. On the other hand, the drain discharge means 8 of the present embodiment guides the condensed water of the steam supplied into the sterilization tank 2 through the drainage line 25. In the illustrated example, the exhaust line 24 and the drain line 25 are unified as common lines 26 and 27 on the upstream side and the downstream side. A check valve 28 is provided in the downstream common line 27, and a discharge line 29 from the vacuum pump 16 is connected to the downstream thereof via a check valve 30, and an outer can drain discharge line to be described later. 31 is connected.

上流側と下流側の共通ライン26,27間には、排気ライン24と排水ライン25とが並列して設けられる。その内、排気ライン24には排気弁32が設けられ、排水ライン25には上流側から順に蒸気トラップ7と逆止弁33とが設けられる。排気ライン24および排水ライン25は、上流側の共通ライン26が滅菌槽2の底部に接続される。   An exhaust line 24 and a drain line 25 are provided in parallel between the upstream and downstream common lines 26 and 27. Among them, the exhaust line 24 is provided with an exhaust valve 32, and the drainage line 25 is provided with a steam trap 7 and a check valve 33 in order from the upstream side. As for the exhaust line 24 and the drainage line 25, the upstream common line 26 is connected to the bottom of the sterilization tank 2.

滅菌槽2には、滅菌槽2内の圧力を検出する圧力センサ9と、滅菌槽2内の温度を検出する温度センサ10とが設けられる。圧力センサ9の設置位置は、特に問わないが、たとえば図示例のように、滅菌槽2の上方側部に設けられる。一方、温度センサ10は、滅菌に関する各種の規格に沿って、所定の位置に設けられる。図示例では、上流側の共通ライン26の内、滅菌槽2からの出口部に設けられる。   The sterilization tank 2 is provided with a pressure sensor 9 that detects the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and a temperature sensor 10 that detects the temperature in the sterilization tank 2. Although the installation position of the pressure sensor 9 is not particularly limited, for example, it is provided on the upper side portion of the sterilization tank 2 as in the illustrated example. On the other hand, the temperature sensor 10 is provided at a predetermined position in accordance with various standards regarding sterilization. In the example of illustration, it is provided in the exit part from the sterilization tank 2 among the common lines 26 of an upstream side.

さらに、蒸気滅菌器1は、ジャケット11内へ蒸気を供給するための外缶蒸気ライン34と、その蒸気の凝縮水を排水するための外缶ドレン排出ライン31とを備える。外缶蒸気ライン34は、外缶13の上部に接続され、ジャケット11内(より具体的には外缶13と内缶12との空洞部内)に蒸気を供給する。外缶蒸気ライン34を介した滅菌槽2内への蒸気供給の有無は、外缶蒸気ライン34に設けた外缶蒸気弁35の開閉によって切り替えられる。一方、外缶ドレン排出ライン31は、外缶13の底部に接続され、蒸気トラップ36と逆止弁37とを順に備える。さらに、蒸気滅菌器1は、ジャケット11内の圧力を検出する外缶圧力センサ38を備える。   Further, the steam sterilizer 1 includes an outer can steam line 34 for supplying steam into the jacket 11 and an outer can drain discharge line 31 for draining condensed water of the steam. The outer can steam line 34 is connected to the upper portion of the outer can 13 and supplies steam into the jacket 11 (more specifically, in the cavity between the outer can 13 and the inner can 12). Whether or not steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 via the outer can vapor line 34 is switched by opening and closing an outer can vapor valve 35 provided in the outer can vapor line 34. On the other hand, the outer can drain discharge line 31 is connected to the bottom of the outer can 13 and includes a steam trap 36 and a check valve 37 in order. The steam sterilizer 1 further includes an outer can pressure sensor 38 that detects the pressure in the jacket 11.

蒸気滅菌器1は、さらに制御手段を備える。制御手段は、前記各センサ9,10,38の検出信号や経過時間などに基づき、減圧手段3、復圧手段4、給蒸手段5および排気手段6などを制御する制御器(図示省略)である。具体的には、真空弁15、真空ポンプ16、封水給水弁17、給気弁20、給蒸弁23、排気弁32、圧力センサ9および温度センサ10の他、外缶蒸気弁35および外缶圧力センサ38は、制御器に接続される。そして、制御器は、以下に述べるように、所定の手順(プログラム)に従い、滅菌槽2内の被滅菌物の滅菌を図る。   The steam sterilizer 1 further includes control means. The control means is a controller (not shown) that controls the decompression means 3, the decompression means 4, the steam supply means 5, the exhaust means 6, and the like based on the detection signals of the sensors 9, 10, 38, the elapsed time, and the like. is there. Specifically, in addition to the vacuum valve 15, the vacuum pump 16, the sealed water supply valve 17, the air supply valve 20, the steam supply valve 23, the exhaust valve 32, the pressure sensor 9 and the temperature sensor 10, the outer can steam valve 35 and the outside The can pressure sensor 38 is connected to the controller. The controller sterilizes the sterilized material in the sterilization tank 2 according to a predetermined procedure (program) as described below.

以下、本実施例の蒸気滅菌器1の運転方法について具体的に説明する。図2は、本実施例の蒸気滅菌器1の運転方法の一例を示す図であり、滅菌槽2内の圧力と経過時間との関係を示している。   Hereinafter, the operation method of the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation method of the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment, and shows the relationship between the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and the elapsed time.

初期状態(待機状態)において、給気弁20および排気弁32は開いており、これ以外の各弁15,17,23,35は閉じられ、真空ポンプ16は作動を停止している。この初期状態から、本実施例では、空気排除工程S1、給蒸工程S2、滅菌工程S3、排気工程S4および乾燥工程S5が順次になされる。また、空気排除工程S1前には、蒸気滅菌器1は、ジャケット11内に蒸気を供給し、ジャケット11内を所定の圧力に維持する。具体的には、外缶蒸気弁35を開いてジャケット11内に蒸気を供給し、外缶圧力センサ38によりジャケット11内の圧力を監視しつつ、ジャケット11内を所定圧力(この所定圧力を第一所定圧力という)とした後、その第一所定圧力を維持するように、外缶蒸気弁35の開閉を制御する。このような制御は、空気排除工程S1以降の各工程のおいても継続して実施される。なお、第一所定圧力は、滅菌温度(滅菌工程S3における保持温度)に応じて設定される。   In the initial state (standby state), the air supply valve 20 and the exhaust valve 32 are open, the other valves 15, 17, 23, and 35 are closed, and the vacuum pump 16 stops operating. From this initial state, in this embodiment, the air exclusion process S1, the steam supply process S2, the sterilization process S3, the exhaust process S4, and the drying process S5 are sequentially performed. Further, before the air exclusion step S1, the steam sterilizer 1 supplies steam into the jacket 11 and maintains the jacket 11 at a predetermined pressure. Specifically, the outer can steam valve 35 is opened to supply steam into the jacket 11, and the pressure inside the jacket 11 is monitored by the outer can pressure sensor 38, while the inside of the jacket 11 is kept at a predetermined pressure (this predetermined pressure is After that, the opening and closing of the outer can steam valve 35 is controlled so as to maintain the first predetermined pressure. Such control is continuously performed also in each process after air exclusion process S1. The first predetermined pressure is set according to the sterilization temperature (the holding temperature in the sterilization step S3).

このような制御により、ジャケット11内が第一所定圧力で平衡となった後、滅菌槽2内に被滅菌物を収容し、滅菌槽2の扉は閉じられ、空気排除工程S1が開始される。空気排除工程S1では、まず、給蒸手段5と排気手段6とを用いて、蒸気による滅菌槽2内のパージ操作S11が所定時間なされる。つまり、排気手段6による滅菌槽2内からの排気を可能としつつ、給蒸手段5により滅菌槽2内へ蒸気供給して、滅菌槽2内のパージ操作S11が所定時間なされる。より具体的には、給気弁20を閉じる一方、給蒸弁23および排気弁32を開いて、給蒸ライン22から滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を供給し、滅菌槽2内の気体を排気ライン24から排出する。これにより、滅菌槽2内の被滅菌物の昇温と、滅菌槽2内からの空気排除とを並行して図ることができる。   By such control, after the inside of the jacket 11 is equilibrated at the first predetermined pressure, the article to be sterilized is accommodated in the sterilization tank 2, the door of the sterilization tank 2 is closed, and the air exclusion process S1 is started. . In the air evacuation step S1, first, a purge operation S11 in the sterilization tank 2 using steam is performed for a predetermined time using the steam supply means 5 and the exhaust means 6. That is, the steam supply means 5 supplies steam into the sterilization tank 2 while allowing the exhaust means 6 to exhaust from the sterilization tank 2, and the purge operation S11 in the sterilization tank 2 is performed for a predetermined time. More specifically, the air supply valve 20 is closed, the steam supply valve 23 and the exhaust valve 32 are opened, steam is supplied from the steam supply line 22 into the sterilization tank 2, and the gas in the sterilization tank 2 is exhausted. Eject from 24. Thereby, the temperature rise of the object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2 and the air removal from the sterilization tank 2 can be achieved in parallel.

パージ操作S11では、排気弁32が開けられることで、滅菌槽2内はほぼ大気圧に維持される。これにより、給蒸ライン22から滅菌槽2内へ供給される蒸気は、給蒸弁23の一次側(上流側)においてたとえば0.3MPa(飽和温度143.7℃)に維持されていても、滅菌槽2内で膨張して温度を低下させ、100〜105℃の蒸気となる。従って、滅菌槽2内の蒸気と被滅菌物との温度差を抑えて、蒸気の過剰な凝縮を防止することができる。   In the purge operation S11, the exhaust valve 32 is opened, so that the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure. Thereby, even if the steam supplied into the sterilization tank 2 from the steam supply line 22 is maintained at, for example, 0.3 MPa (saturation temperature 143.7 ° C.) on the primary side (upstream side) of the steam supply valve 23, It expands in the sterilization tank 2 to lower the temperature, and becomes steam of 100 to 105 ° C. Therefore, the temperature difference between the steam in the sterilization tank 2 and the object to be sterilized can be suppressed, and excessive condensation of the steam can be prevented.

パージ操作S11を所定時間継続した後、排気手段6による排気と給蒸手段5による蒸気供給とを停止する。具体的には、給蒸弁23および排気弁32を閉じる。そして、減圧手段3による滅菌槽2内の減圧操作S12が所定圧力(この所定圧力を第二所定圧力という)までなされる。具体的には、真空弁15を開いて、封水給水弁17を開き、同時に真空ポンプ16を作動させればよい。これにより、滅菌槽2内の減圧が図られるが、圧力センサ9により滅菌槽2内の圧力を監視して、滅菌槽2内が第二所定圧力になるまで滅菌槽2内を減圧する。第二所定圧力は、適宜に設定されるが、本実施例では、たとえば−90kPa〜−95kPaに設定される。   After the purge operation S11 is continued for a predetermined time, the exhaust by the exhaust means 6 and the steam supply by the steam supply means 5 are stopped. Specifically, the steam supply valve 23 and the exhaust valve 32 are closed. And decompression operation S12 in the sterilization tank 2 by the decompression means 3 is performed up to a predetermined pressure (this predetermined pressure is referred to as a second predetermined pressure). Specifically, the vacuum valve 15 is opened, the sealed water supply valve 17 is opened, and the vacuum pump 16 is operated simultaneously. As a result, the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 is reduced. The pressure sensor 9 monitors the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, and the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 is reduced until the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 reaches the second predetermined pressure. The second predetermined pressure is set as appropriate, but is set to, for example, −90 kPa to −95 kPa in the present embodiment.

パージ操作S11後、滅菌槽2内を給蒸手段5による蒸気供給で加圧(=昇温)するのではなく、減圧手段3により減圧するので、滅菌槽2内の凝縮水の自己蒸発が起こり、凝縮水を過剰に生じさせることがない。しかも、パージ操作S11のために滅菌槽2内へ供給され、滅菌槽2内に残留した蒸気や、パージ操作S11のために滅菌槽2内へ供給され、一旦は凝縮したがその後の減圧によって再蒸発した蒸気は、水封式真空ポンプ16により吸引されるが、真空ポンプ16の封水で再凝縮する。この再凝縮による急激な体積の減少で、滅菌槽2内の気体は真空ポンプ16へさらに吸引され、滅菌槽2内からの排気速度がさらに高められる。   After the purge operation S11, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is not pressurized (= heated up) by the steam supply by the steam supply means 5, but is decompressed by the decompression means 3, so that the self-evaporation of the condensed water in the sterilization tank 2 occurs. Condensate is not generated excessively. In addition, it is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 for the purge operation S11 and is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 for the purge operation S11 or vapor remaining in the sterilization tank 2, and once condensed, but is re-applied by the subsequent decompression. The evaporated vapor is sucked by the water-sealed vacuum pump 16 and recondensed by the sealed water of the vacuum pump 16. Due to the rapid volume reduction due to this recondensation, the gas in the sterilization tank 2 is further sucked into the vacuum pump 16 and the exhaust speed from the sterilization tank 2 is further increased.

このような減圧操作の後、給蒸手段5による滅菌槽2内の昇圧操作S13と、減圧手段3による滅菌槽2内の減圧操作S14とからなる昇減圧操作S15が、所望により一回以上なされる。図2では、昇減圧操作S15を一回だけ行っているが、複数回行ってもよい。あるいは、場合により、このような昇減圧操作S15を行わず、パージ操作S11直後の減圧操作S12後、直ちに次工程へ移行してもよい。つまり、パージ操作S11直後の減圧操作S12後、滅菌槽2内が滅菌圧力になるまで、滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を供給してもよい(給蒸工程S2)。   After such a depressurization operation, an ascending / depressurizing operation S15 including a pressure increasing operation S13 in the sterilization tank 2 by the steam supply means 5 and a pressure reducing operation S14 in the sterilization tank 2 by the pressure reducing means 3 is performed once or more as desired. The In FIG. 2, the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 is performed only once, but may be performed a plurality of times. Alternatively, in some cases, such ascending / depressurizing operation S15 may not be performed, and immediately after the depressurizing operation S12 immediately after the purge operation S11, the process may proceed to the next step. That is, after the pressure reducing operation S12 immediately after the purge operation S11, steam may be supplied into the sterilization tank 2 until the inside of the sterilization tank 2 reaches a sterilization pressure (steaming step S2).

昇減圧操作S15における昇圧操作S13は、真空弁15、給気弁20および排気弁32を閉じた状態で、給蒸弁23を開いてなされる。これにより、滅菌槽2内には蒸気が供給され、滅菌槽2内の圧力は上昇する。滅菌槽2内の昇圧中、圧力センサ9で滅菌槽2内の圧力を監視し、その圧力が昇圧目標圧力になれば、給蒸弁23を閉じて減圧操作S14へ移行する。昇圧目標圧力は、図2では大気圧としているが、大気圧未満であってもよいし、大気圧を超える圧力であってもよい(但し滅菌圧力を超えない圧力)。また、昇減圧操作S15を複数回行う場合、各回における昇圧目標圧力は、同一であってもよいし、異なってもよい。   The pressure increasing operation S13 in the pressure increasing / decreasing operation S15 is performed by opening the steam supply valve 23 while the vacuum valve 15, the air supply valve 20 and the exhaust valve 32 are closed. Thereby, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2, and the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 rises. During the pressure increase in the sterilization tank 2, the pressure sensor 9 monitors the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, and when the pressure reaches the pressure increase target pressure, the steam supply valve 23 is closed and the process proceeds to the pressure reduction operation S14. Although the pressure increase target pressure is the atmospheric pressure in FIG. 2, it may be less than the atmospheric pressure or a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure (however, a pressure not exceeding the sterilization pressure). Further, when the pressure increasing / decreasing operation S15 is performed a plurality of times, the pressure increase target pressure in each time may be the same or different.

昇減圧操作S15における減圧操作S14は、給気弁20、給蒸弁23および排気弁32を閉じた状態で、真空弁15および封水給水弁17を開いて真空ポンプ16を作動してなされる。これにより、滅菌槽2内の蒸気が排気され、滅菌槽2内の圧力は低下する。滅菌槽2内の減圧中、圧力センサ9で滅菌槽2内の圧力を監視し、その圧力が減圧目標圧力になれば、真空弁15および封水給水弁17を閉じると共に真空ポンプ16を停止させる。但し、前記昇圧操作S13において昇圧目標圧力を大気圧を超える圧力として、滅菌槽2内を加圧状態とした場合には、真空弁15、給気弁20および給蒸弁23を閉じた状態で、排気弁32を開けて、滅菌槽2内からの排蒸を図ることで、滅菌槽2内の圧力を下げることができる。そして、減圧目標圧力が大気圧未満の場合には、滅菌槽2内が大気圧またはその直前になると、排気弁32を閉じ、真空弁15および封水給水弁17を開いて真空ポンプ16を作動させて、滅菌槽2内をさらに減圧すればよい。減圧目標圧力は、図2では、パージ操作S11直後の減圧操作S12の目標圧力と同一としているが、異なってもよい。また、昇減圧操作S15を複数回行う場合、各回における減圧目標圧力は、同一でもよいし、異なってもよい。   The depressurization operation S14 in the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 is performed by opening the vacuum valve 15 and the sealed water supply valve 17 and operating the vacuum pump 16 with the air supply valve 20, the steam supply valve 23 and the exhaust valve 32 closed. . Thereby, the vapor | steam in the sterilization tank 2 is exhausted, and the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 falls. During the pressure reduction in the sterilization tank 2, the pressure sensor 9 monitors the pressure in the sterilization tank 2, and when the pressure reaches the pressure reduction target pressure, the vacuum valve 15 and the sealed water supply valve 17 are closed and the vacuum pump 16 is stopped. . However, when the pressure increase target pressure is set to a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure in the pressure increasing operation S13 and the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is in a pressurized state, the vacuum valve 15, the air supply valve 20, and the steam supply valve 23 are closed. The pressure in the sterilization tank 2 can be lowered by opening the exhaust valve 32 and exhausting the vapor from the sterilization tank 2. When the pressure reduction target pressure is less than atmospheric pressure, when the sterilization tank 2 is at or just before atmospheric pressure, the exhaust valve 32 is closed, the vacuum valve 15 and the sealed water supply valve 17 are opened, and the vacuum pump 16 is operated. The sterilization tank 2 may be further depressurized. In FIG. 2, the pressure reduction target pressure is the same as the target pressure of the pressure reduction operation S12 immediately after the purge operation S11, but may be different. Further, when the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 is performed a plurality of times, the depressurization target pressure at each time may be the same or different.

その後の給蒸工程S2では、給蒸手段5により、滅菌槽2内へ蒸気供給して、滅菌槽2内を滅菌圧力まで昇圧する。具体的には、真空弁15、給気弁20および排気弁32を閉じた状態で、給蒸弁23を開いて、滅菌圧力まで滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を供給する。これによる滅菌槽2内への蒸気供給中、圧力センサ9で滅菌槽2内の圧力および温度センサ10で滅菌槽2内の温度を監視し、その温度が滅菌温度になると、次工程へ移行する。   In the subsequent steam supply step S2, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 by the steam supply means 5, and the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 is increased to the sterilization pressure. Specifically, with the vacuum valve 15, the air supply valve 20, and the exhaust valve 32 closed, the steam supply valve 23 is opened to supply steam into the sterilization tank 2 up to the sterilization pressure. During the supply of steam into the sterilization tank 2, the pressure sensor 9 monitors the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and the temperature sensor 10 to monitor the temperature in the sterilization tank 2. When the temperature reaches the sterilization temperature, the process proceeds to the next step. .

滅菌工程S3では、温度センサ10で滅菌槽2内の温度を監視し、その温度が滅菌温度を所定の滅菌保持時間維持するように、給蒸弁23の開閉を制御する。これにより、滅菌槽2内の被滅菌物は、滅菌温度に滅菌保持時間だけ維持されて、滅菌が施される。その後、給蒸弁23を閉じて、次工程へ移行する。   In the sterilization step S3, the temperature sensor 10 monitors the temperature in the sterilization tank 2, and the opening / closing of the steam supply valve 23 is controlled so that the temperature maintains the sterilization temperature for a predetermined sterilization holding time. As a result, the article to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2 is maintained at the sterilization temperature for the sterilization holding time and sterilized. Thereafter, the steam supply valve 23 is closed and the process proceeds to the next step.

排気工程S4では、排気弁32を開けて、滅菌槽2外へ蒸気を排出した後、排気弁32を閉じる。その後の乾燥工程S5では、滅菌槽2内の被滅菌物の乾燥を設定時間行う。本実施例では、滅菌槽2内を所定圧力(この所定圧力を第三所定圧力という)まで減圧し、その減圧下に維持することで、滅菌槽2内の被滅菌物の乾燥を図る。具体的には、真空弁15および封水給水弁17を開いて真空ポンプ16を作動させて、滅菌槽2内を所定の減圧下に維持することで乾燥を行っている。但し、乾燥工程S5では、所定圧力(第三所定圧力)までの減圧と、大気圧までの復圧とを、設定時間になるまで繰り返してもよい。   In the exhaust process S4, the exhaust valve 32 is opened, the steam is discharged out of the sterilization tank 2, and then the exhaust valve 32 is closed. In the subsequent drying step S5, the object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2 is dried for a set time. In the present embodiment, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure (this predetermined pressure is referred to as a third predetermined pressure) and maintained under the reduced pressure, so that the object to be sterilized in the sterilization tank 2 is dried. Specifically, drying is performed by opening the vacuum valve 15 and the sealing water supply valve 17 and operating the vacuum pump 16 to maintain the inside of the sterilization tank 2 under a predetermined reduced pressure. However, in the drying step S5, the pressure reduction to the predetermined pressure (third predetermined pressure) and the return pressure to the atmospheric pressure may be repeated until the set time is reached.

図3は、本実施例の蒸気滅菌器1の運転方法の他の例を示す図であり、滅菌槽2内の圧力と経過時間との関係を示している。この図3の運転方法も、基本的には、図2の運転方法と同様であるので、以下では両者の異なる点を中心に説明し、対応する箇所には同一の符号を付して説明する。   FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the operation method of the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment, and shows the relationship between the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and the elapsed time. 3 is basically the same as the operation method of FIG. 2, the following description will focus on the differences between the two, and corresponding portions will be described with the same reference numerals. .

図3の運転方法では、パージ操作S11を行わない。その代わり、初回の減圧操作S12において、減圧手段3による滅菌槽2内の減圧の中途で、滅菌槽2内を復圧させない程度に給蒸手段5により滅菌槽2内への蒸気供給を行う。具体的には、給気弁20および排気弁32を閉じた状態で、真空弁15および封水給水弁17を開いて真空ポンプ16の作動を継続中、一時的に給蒸弁23を開いて閉じればよい。その結果、初回の減圧操作S12において、蒸気供給を伴わない減圧S12a、蒸気供給を伴う減圧S12b、および蒸気供給を伴わない減圧S12cが順次になされる。 In the operation method of FIG. 3, the purge operation S11 is not performed. Instead, in the first decompression operation S12, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 by the steam supply means 5 to the extent that the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is not decompressed in the middle of the decompression in the sterilization tank 2 by the decompression means 3. Specifically, with the air supply valve 20 and the exhaust valve 32 closed, the vacuum valve 15 and the sealed water supply valve 17 are opened and the operation of the vacuum pump 16 is continued, while the steam supply valve 23 is temporarily opened. Close it. As a result, in the first decompression operation S12, decompression S12a without steam supply, decompression S12b with steam supply, and decompression S12c without steam supply are sequentially performed.

この蒸気供給を開始する時期(S12bの開始点)は、適宜に設定されるが、好ましくは、滅菌槽2内の飽和蒸気温度が被滅菌物の温度に近くなり、また滅菌槽2内の真空度が高くなることで真空ポンプ16の減圧速度が低下し始める時期とされる。滅菌槽2内を減圧していくと、滅菌槽2内の飽和蒸気温度は下がり、やがて被滅菌物の温度に近づくが、その時点(たとえば滅菌槽2内の飽和蒸気温度と被滅菌物の温度との差が所定範囲内になった時点)から滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を供給すれば、被滅菌物を必要以上に濡らさずに済むからである。また、真空ポンプ16は、性能限界に近い圧力では排気速度が急激に低下してしまうが、減圧途中に蒸気を一時的に導入すれば、その蒸気および一旦凝縮したがその後に再蒸発した蒸気は、水封式真空ポンプ16へ吸引される際、再凝縮して急激に体積を減少させるので、滅菌槽2内からの排気速度を速めることができるからである。   The timing for starting the supply of steam (starting point of S12b) is appropriately set. Preferably, the saturated steam temperature in the sterilization tank 2 is close to the temperature of the object to be sterilized, and the vacuum in the sterilization tank 2 is set. As the degree increases, the pressure reduction speed of the vacuum pump 16 starts to decrease. As the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is depressurized, the saturated steam temperature in the sterilization tank 2 decreases and eventually approaches the temperature of the object to be sterilized, but at that time (for example, the saturated steam temperature in the sterilization tank 2 and the temperature of the object to be sterilized). This is because if the steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 from the time when the difference between the sterilization point and the difference is within a predetermined range, the object to be sterilized need not be wetted more than necessary. In addition, the vacuum pump 16 suddenly decreases the exhaust speed at a pressure close to the performance limit. However, if the steam is temporarily introduced during the decompression, the steam and the steam once condensed but then re-evaporated This is because, when sucked into the water-sealed vacuum pump 16, the volume is rapidly reduced by recondensing, so that the exhaust speed from the inside of the sterilization tank 2 can be increased.

一方、滅菌槽2内の減圧中における蒸気供給を終了する時期(S12bの終了点)は、適宜に設定されるが、たとえば、被滅菌物の温度が60℃になるまでとされる。これにより、過剰に凝縮水が生じるのを防止できる。その他は、図2と同様であるので、説明は省略する。   On the other hand, the time for ending the supply of steam during the decompression in the sterilization tank 2 (the end point of S12b) is set as appropriate, for example, until the temperature of the object to be sterilized reaches 60 ° C. Thereby, it can prevent that condensed water arises excessively. Others are the same as in FIG.

図4は、本実施例の蒸気滅菌器1の運転方法のさらに別の例を示す図であり、滅菌槽2内の圧力と経過時間との関係を示している。この図4の運転方法も、基本的には、図2の運転方法と同様であるので、以下では両者の異なる点を中心に説明し、対応する箇所には同一の符号を付して説明する。   FIG. 4 is a diagram showing still another example of the operation method of the steam sterilizer 1 of the present embodiment, and shows the relationship between the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and the elapsed time. The driving method of FIG. 4 is basically the same as the driving method of FIG. 2, so the following description will focus on the differences between the two, and corresponding portions will be described with the same reference numerals. .

図2の運転方法では、昇減圧操作S15が一回だけ行われたが、図4の運転方法では、昇減圧操作S15が二回行われる。しかも、二回目の昇減圧操作S15における昇圧は、大気圧以上の圧力までとされる。この際、好ましくは、滅菌圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力まで昇圧される。そして、その後の減圧操作S14では、排気弁32を開けるだけで、滅菌槽2内の圧力を大気圧まで下げるだけである。但し、場合により、さらに滅菌槽2内を減圧して、滅菌槽2内を真空状態としてもよい。   In the operation method of FIG. 2, the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 is performed only once. However, in the operating method of FIG. 4, the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 is performed twice. In addition, the pressure increase in the second pressure increase / decrease operation S15 is set to a pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure. At this time, the pressure is preferably increased to 0.5 to 1 times the sterilization pressure. In the subsequent depressurization operation S14, the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 is simply lowered to the atmospheric pressure simply by opening the exhaust valve 32. However, in some cases, the inside of the sterilization tank 2 may be further depressurized and the inside of the sterilization tank 2 may be in a vacuum state.

図4の運転方法によれば、空気排除工程S1の最終段階で、滅菌槽2内へ蒸気を供給して、滅菌工程S3における保持圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力とした後、その蒸気を排気して滅菌槽2内を減圧することになる。滅菌工程S3における保持圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力まで昇圧後に排気することで、この間の圧力差を十分に確保して、滅菌槽2内の残留空気の追い出しを図ることができる。その他は、図2と同様であるので、説明は省略する。   According to the operation method of FIG. 4, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank 2 at the final stage of the air evacuation step S <b> 1 so that the pressure is 0.5 to 1 times the holding pressure in the sterilization step S <b> 3. And the inside of the sterilization tank 2 is decompressed. By evacuating after raising the pressure to 0.5 to 1 times the holding pressure in the sterilization step S3, a sufficient pressure difference can be secured during this time, and the residual air in the sterilization tank 2 can be expelled. Others are the same as in FIG.

図5は、本実施例の蒸気滅菌器1の運転方法のさらに別の例を示す図であり、滅菌槽2内の圧力と経過時間との関係を示している。この図5の運転方法も、基本的には、図2の運転方法と同様であるので、以下では両者の異なる点を中心に説明し、対応する箇所には同一の符号を付して説明する。   FIG. 5 is a diagram showing still another example of the operation method of the steam sterilizer 1 of this embodiment, and shows the relationship between the pressure in the sterilization tank 2 and the elapsed time. The driving method of FIG. 5 is also basically the same as the driving method of FIG. 2, so the following description will focus on the differences between the two, and the corresponding parts will be described with the same reference numerals. .

図2の運転方法では、昇減圧操作S15の昇圧目標圧力を大気圧としたが、図5の運転方法では、大気圧以上として滅菌槽2内を加圧している。その理由は、前記図4の運転方法で述べたのと同様であり、滅菌圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力まで昇圧するのが好ましい。その他は、図2と同様であるので、説明は省略する。   In the operation method of FIG. 2, the pressure increase target pressure of the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 is set to the atmospheric pressure. However, in the operation method of FIG. The reason is the same as that described in the operation method of FIG. 4, and it is preferable to increase the pressure to 0.5 to 1 times the sterilization pressure. Others are the same as in FIG.

本発明の蒸気滅菌器およびその空気排除方法は、前記実施例の構成に限らず適宜変更可能である。たとえば、上述したように、空気排除工程S1における昇減圧操作S15の有無もしくは回数、またはその昇圧目標圧力もしくは減圧目標圧力は、適宜に変更可能である。また、前記実施例では、滅菌槽2内へ供給する蒸気は、いずれの箇所でも飽和蒸気としたが、空気排除工程S1においては、過熱蒸気を用いてもよい。この場合、蒸気の凝縮量を一層少なくすることができる。   The steam sterilizer and the air evacuation method of the present invention are not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, as described above, the presence / absence or number of the ascending / depressurizing operation S15 in the air exclusion step S1, or the pressure increase target pressure or pressure reduction target pressure can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, in the said Example, although the vapor | steam supplied into the sterilization tank 2 was saturated vapor | steam in any location, you may use superheated vapor | steam in air exclusion process S1. In this case, the amount of vapor condensation can be further reduced.

また、前記実施例では、ジャケット11には圧力センサ(外缶圧力センサ38)を設けて、ジャケット11内を所定圧力に維持するよう制御したが、ジャケット11には温度センサ(外缶温度センサ)を設けて、ジャケット11内を所定温度に維持するよう制御してもよい。この温度センサは、外缶ドレン排出ライン31の内、外缶13からの出口部に設けてもよいし、外缶13の上部などに設けてもよい。   In the above embodiment, the jacket 11 is provided with a pressure sensor (outer can pressure sensor 38) and controlled to maintain a predetermined pressure in the jacket 11. However, the jacket 11 has a temperature sensor (outer can temperature sensor). May be provided to control the inside of the jacket 11 to be maintained at a predetermined temperature. This temperature sensor may be provided at the outlet from the outer can 13 in the outer can drain discharge line 31, or may be provided at the top of the outer can 13 or the like.

また、図2、図4および図5の運転方法では、蒸気による滅菌槽2内のパージ操作S11は所定時間行ったが、温度センサ10の検出温度を監視して、その温度が所望温度(たとえば100℃)になるまでパージ操作S11を行ってもよい。   Further, in the operation methods of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the purge operation S11 in the sterilization tank 2 by steam is performed for a predetermined time, but the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 10 is monitored and the temperature is set to a desired temperature (for example, The purge operation S11 may be performed until the temperature reaches 100 ° C.

1 蒸気滅菌器
2 滅菌槽
3 減圧手段
4 復圧手段
5 給蒸手段
6 排気手段
8 ドレン排出手段
S1 空気排除工程
S2 給蒸工程
S3 滅菌工程
S4 排気工程
S5 乾燥工程
S11 パージ操作
S12 減圧操作
S13 昇圧操作
S14 減圧操作
S15 昇減圧操作
S12a 蒸気供給を伴わない減圧
S12b 蒸気供給を伴う減圧
S12c 蒸気供給を伴わない減圧
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam sterilizer 2 Sterilization tank 3 Pressure reduction means 4 Pressure reduction means 5 Steam supply means 6 Exhaust means 8 Drain discharge means S1 Air exclusion process S2 Steam supply process S3 Sterilization process S4 Exhaust process S5 Drying process S11 Purge operation S12 Pressure reduction operation S13 Pressure increase Operation S14 Depressurization operation S15 Ascending / depressurizing operation S12a Depressurization without steam supply S12b Depressurization with steam supply S12c Depressurization without steam supply

Claims (2)

被滅菌物が収容される滅菌槽と、
この滅菌槽内の気体を外部へ吸引排出して、前記滅菌槽内を減圧する減圧手段と、
減圧された前記滅菌槽内へ外気を導入して、前記滅菌槽内を復圧する復圧手段と、
前記滅菌槽内へ飽和蒸気を供給する給蒸手段と、
大気圧との差圧により前記滅菌槽内の気体を外部へ導出する排気手段と、
滅菌工程前の空気排除工程として、蒸気温度が105℃を超えるほど前記滅菌槽内が加圧されないように前記排気手段による前記滅菌槽内からの排気を可能としつつ前記給蒸手段により前記滅菌槽内へ蒸気供給を行うパージ操作の後、前記排気手段による排気と前記給蒸手段による蒸気供給とを停止した状態で、前記減圧手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧操作を行う制御手段とを備え、
前記制御手段は、前記空気排除工程として、前記減圧操作後、前記給蒸手段による前記滅菌槽内の昇圧と前記減圧手段または前記排気手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧とからなる昇減圧操作を一回以上行い、
この昇減圧操作の最後の昇圧は、前記給蒸手段による前記滅菌槽内への蒸気供給により、その後の前記滅菌工程における保持圧力の0.5〜1倍の圧力まで行う
ことを特徴とする蒸気滅菌器。
A sterilization tank in which objects to be sterilized are stored;
A vacuum means for sucking and discharging the gas in the sterilization tank to the outside, and reducing the pressure in the sterilization tank;
A return pressure means for introducing outside air into the sterilized tank that has been depressurized and returning the pressure in the sterilization tank;
Steaming means for supplying saturated steam into the sterilization tank;
Exhaust means for deriving the gas in the sterilization tank to the outside by a differential pressure from the atmospheric pressure;
As the air evacuation step prior to the sterilization step, the sterilization tank can be evacuated from the sterilization tank by the exhaust means so that the inside of the sterilization tank is not pressurized as the steam temperature exceeds 105 ° C. A control means for performing a decompression operation in the sterilization tank by the decompression means in a state where the exhaust by the exhaust means and the steam supply by the steam supply means are stopped after a purge operation for performing steam supply into the interior,
The control means, as the air exclusion step, performs an ascending / decreasing operation including a pressure increase in the sterilization tank by the steam supply means and a pressure decrease in the sterilization tank by the pressure reduction means or the exhaust means after the pressure reduction operation. More than once,
The last pressurization of the ascending / depressurizing operation is performed by supplying steam into the sterilization tank by the steam supply means to a pressure that is 0.5 to 1 times the holding pressure in the subsequent sterilization step. Sterilizer.
前記パージ操作に代えて、前記減圧操作において、前記減圧手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧の中途で、前記滅菌槽内を復圧させない程度に前記給蒸手段による前記滅菌槽内への蒸気供給を一時的に行い、その後、その蒸気供給を停止した状態で前記減圧手段による前記滅菌槽内の減圧をさらに行い、
前記一時的な蒸気供給中も、前記減圧手段の作動を継続して、前記滅菌槽内の圧力を低下させる
ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載の蒸気滅菌器。
Instead of the purge operation, in the decompression operation, steam is supplied into the sterilization tank by the steaming means to the extent that the sterilization tank is not decompressed in the middle of the decompression by the decompression means. Perform temporarily, and then further reduce the pressure in the sterilization tank by the pressure reducing means in a state where the steam supply is stopped,
The steam sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the pressure in the sterilization tank is decreased by continuing the operation of the decompression unit even during the temporary steam supply.
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