US3481692A - Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave - Google Patents

Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave Download PDF

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Publication number
US3481692A
US3481692A US603811A US3481692DA US3481692A US 3481692 A US3481692 A US 3481692A US 603811 A US603811 A US 603811A US 3481692D A US3481692D A US 3481692DA US 3481692 A US3481692 A US 3481692A
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United States
Prior art keywords
autoclave
conduit
pressure
steam
water
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Expired - Lifetime
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US603811A
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English (en)
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Fritz Linder
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Individual
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J3/00—Processes of utilising sub-atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure to effect chemical or physical change of matter; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J3/002—Component parts of these vessels not mentioned in B01J3/004, B01J3/006, B01J3/02 - B01J3/08; Measures taken in conjunction with the process to be carried out, e.g. safety measures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/24—Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Definitions

  • a steam operated autoclave having a circulating steam phase, a steam producing heat accumulator, a water container and valves in the conduits between the different parts of the autoclave and its accessories for controlling the flow of steam and water between the parts.
  • Pressure and temperature sensing means are arranged to control the steam feed to the autoclave in such a way as to produce repeated pressure variations in the autoclave and thereby achieve an effective sterilization.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to produce automatically repeated, previously determined pressure variations during the operation of the autoclave where- 'by the air present in the autoclave is quickly and completely expelled and a very short sterilization time is achieved.
  • the invention is thus based on the following knowledge.
  • the core of the bacterium cell is protected by a membrane which is compressed at a pressure increase in the autoclave, causing the pressure in the bacterium to be raised.
  • the above require ments are fulfilled and a sterilization procedure with predetermined pressure variations is obtained, by pressure and/0r temperature sensing means arranged so as to "ice operate the valve in the feeding conduit to control the steam feeding.
  • pressure and/0r temperature sensing means arranged so as to "ice operate the valve in the feeding conduit to control the steam feeding.
  • a three-way valve is arranged between the autoclave and the water container and is adapted to connect the water container alternatively with the autoclave and the atmosphere.
  • the autoclave is hereby therefore connected to the water container on the one hand through a connection in which the three-way valve is included for removal of condensed water formed in the autoclave and on the other hand by means of a connection for the exhaust of air andv steam.
  • Reference numeral 1 denotes an autoclave which by means of a conduit 2 is connected to a heat accumulator 3 serving as a steam producer, and the temperature is kept at a constant value in the heat accumulator by means of a thermostat 4 in the same.
  • the heat accumulator 3 is fed with water, to be evaporated, from a water container 5 through a feeding conduit 7 provided with a two-way valve 6, said conduit 7 debouching in the heat accumulator 3 with a spray mouth piece 8.
  • the two-way valve 6 is in this case assumed to be in the shape of an electromagnetic valve.
  • Condensed water formed in the autoclave 1 is drained through a conduit 9 connected to the bottom of the autoclave, said draining conduit 9 being connected through a three-way valve 10 and a conduit 11 to the water container 5.
  • the three-way valve 10 which is assumed to take the shape of an electromagnetic valve, also connects the conduit 1.1 from the water container 5 to a water storage tank 12 via conduits 13 and 14 for filling the water container 5 with water.
  • the bottom of the autoclave is further provided with an evacuation conduit 15 having a thermometer 16, a thermostat 17 and a pressure switch 18.
  • the evacuation conduit 15 is connected to the water storage tank 12 via a conduit 20 provided with a selector valve 19, the last mentioned conduit 20 debouching above the water level in the storage tank v12.
  • the evacuation conduit 15 is further provided with a branch conduit 21 connected to the water container 5, and the conduit 14 extending from the three-way valve 10 is, by means of a conduit 22, connected to the conduit 20.
  • the evacuation conduit 15 also contains a safety valve 23. So as to prevent an entering of the steam into the storage tank 12 the conduit 14 is provided with an one-way valve 24.
  • the pressure and temperature sensing means in the evacuation conduit 15 are preferably arranged in the close neighbodhood of the autoclave 1.
  • the thermostat 17 and the pressure switch 18 are intended to control electrically the three-way valve 10 and the two-way valve 6.
  • the valve opens the connection between the autoclave 1 and the water container 5 via the conduits 9 and 11 and closes simultaneously the connection between the water container 5 and the storage tank 12 via the conduits 11, 13 and 14.
  • the solenoid 10a of the three-way valve 10 does not conduct any electric current, the condition will be the reversed one, i.e. the connection between the autoclave .1 and the water container 5 is closed and instead the connection is opened between the water container 5 and the water storage tank 12.
  • the two-way valve 6 in the feeding conduit 7, this valve 6 controlling the water supply to the heat accumulator 3, is opened and closed when the electric current to the solenoid 6a of the two-Way valve 6 is connected and interrupted, respectively.
  • the pressure switch 18 and the thermostat 17 are preferably adjusted in a predetermined pressure and temperature range, respectively.
  • the pressure switch 18 operates to feed electric current to the solenoid 6a of the two-way valve 6 and the solenoid 10a of the three-way valve 10, which causes the two-way valve 6 to open the connection between the water container 5 and the heat accumulator 3 and the three-way valve to open the connection between the autoclave 1 and the water container 5, simultaneously as the connection between the conduit 11 and the conduit 13, 14 connected to the storage tank 12 is closed.
  • the two-Way valve 6 is opened, water streams from the water container 5 through the feeding conduit 7 into the heat accumulator 3 via the spray mouth piece 8.
  • the water is quickly evaporated in the heat accumulator 3 which preferably is held at a constant temperature of 250 C., and the steam thus produced streams through the conduit 2 to the autoclave 1.
  • the water condensed during the heating of the autoclave is drained to the water container 5 through the drainage conduit 9 and the conduit 11 via the three-way valve 10.
  • a temporarily closed circulation system is thereby obtained whereby the pressure in the autoclave 1 will quickly increase.
  • the pressure in the autoclave 1 will momentarily be transmitted to the water surface in the water container 5 to force the water to stream with increased speed to the heat accumulator 3 to be evaporated. From the accumulator it is sprayed, in the form of steam, into the autoclave causing a continuous pressure increase.
  • the pressure in the autoclave is increased in this manner to the maximum value pre-set by means of the pressure switch 18 which then interrupts the electric current to the solenoid 6a of the two-way valve 6 and the solenoid 10a of the threeway valve 10 such that the two-way valve 6 is closed and the water supply to the heat accumulator 3 ceases.
  • the three-way valve 10 closes the connection between the autoclave 1 and the water container 5 and opens instead the connection between the conduit 11 and the conduit 13, 14 connected to the storage tank 12, whereupon the air residues present in the autoclave 1 and the conduits are brought along by the steam streaming with a high speed.
  • the selector valve 19 which preferably is provided with cooling fins, is cooled during the sterilization proper, this valve is opened for removal of a part of the air but is closed thereupon by the succeeding steam stream.
  • the pressure in the autoclave 1 then drops quickly via the evacuation conduit 15, the branch conduit 21, the water container 5, the conduit 11, the three-Way valve 10 and the conduits 13, 22 and 20.
  • This sterilization procedure with increasing and decreasing pressure is repeated automatically several times until all the air has been removed from the autoclave and the maximum temperature pre-set by means of the thermostat 17 is reached.
  • This maximum temperature preferably corresponds to a pressure for dry saturated steam which is somewhat below the minimum pressure pre-set on the pressure switch 18.
  • the thermostat 17 controls the continued sterilization procedure.
  • the thermostat then cuts oil the current to the two-way valve 6, which then closes and cuts off the water feeding to the heat accumulator 3, and feeds the threeway valve 10 with current whereas the connection of the autoclave 1 with the conduit 13 is interrupted and the system is closed.
  • the thermostat 17 connects the electric current to the two-way valve 6 which thereby is opened such that water again is passed to the heat accumulator 3 to be evaporated.
  • the temperature and the pressure in the autoclave are increased in this manner until the reaching of the maximum temperature pre-set by means of the thermostat, whereupon the thermostat again interrupts the electric current feed to the two-way valve 6 which thereby is closed and thus the steam feeding ceases.
  • the pressure in the autoclave 1 will then quickly drop via the evacuation conduit 15, the branch conduit 21, the water container 5, the conduit 11, the three-way valve 10 and the conduits 13, 22 and 20.
  • the one-way valve 24 prevents steam from entering the storage tank 12.
  • the one-way valve 24 will automatically be opened by the pressure from the water column in the storage tank 12 such that water will stream from the storage tank 12 to the water container 5 via the conduit 14, the conduit 13, the three-way valve 10 and the conduit 11, whereby the air present in the water container 5 is pressed through the conduit branch 21, the selector valve 19 now open, and the conduit 20 out to the atmosphere.
  • the sterilization procedure may also be controlled by one or several pressure switches and/or thermostats. By providing one thermostat and two pressure switches, an advantage is realized in that very small pressure variations are obtainable. In this case, one of the pressure switches is set on the desired maximum pressure and the other pressure switch is set on the desired minimum pressure.
  • the pressure switch 18 can be adjusted to interrupt the current circuit at a maximum pressure in the interior of the autoclave of 2.5 atmospheres gauge and to close the current circuit again at a minimum pressure of 1.5 atmospheres gauge.
  • the thermostat 17 can be :provided to operate at a maximum temperature of about 136 C. and a minimum temperature of about 132 C. in the interior of the autoclave 1.
  • the temperature of 138 C. corresponds to a steam pressure in the autoclave of 2.5 atmospheres gauge and the temperature of 132 C. corresponds to a steam pressure of 2 atmospheres gauge in the interior of the autoclave when the latter does not contain any air. A condition of dry saturated steam is thus maintained in the autoclave.
  • the cycle described above is automatically prolonged by means of further pressure variations for the reason that the adjustment of the thermostate is retarded because of the small amount of air collected in the tube which contains the body sensing the temperature. Consequently, the thermostat 17 will switch over before the pressure switch 18 which causes a further pressure drop. This means that the timer (not shown) and the selector valve are spared.
  • the sterilization time is automatically prolongedin rerelation to the quantity of air present and the number of pressure variations is increased which is to be considered as an advantage and which is desired.
  • the sterilization of instruments which are inserted into the autoclave by being placed freely on a tray, can be carried out after only three pressure variations, but the sterilization of textile products requires, as has been proved by experiments, about six pressure variations
  • the whole sterilization time requires not more than about 2-4 minutes with an autoclave according to the present invention.
  • conduit 9 may be excluded and furthermore the pressure and/or temperature sensing means may be situated in other preferred positions in the system.
  • a heat accumulator for producing steam, the heat accumulator being operatively connected to communicate with the interior of the autoclave,
  • a water container located exteriorly of the autoclave and operatively connected to the heat accumulator, the water container further being operatively connected to communicate with the interior of the autoclave,
  • a two-way valve interposed between the water container and the heat accumulator for controlling the flow of water to the heat accumulator
  • a water storage means operatively connected to the water container for automatic compensation of water losses after each sterilization
  • pressure and temperature sensing means operatively connected to the interior of the autoclave and to the two-way and three-way valves for selectively opening and closing the two-way and three-way valves in response to pressure and temperature conditions within the autoclave to produce repeated, predetermined pressure variations within the autoclave.
  • connection between the water container and the autoclave including the three-way valve is adapted to carry water condensed in the autoclave to the water container, and in which the water container is further operatively connected to the autoclave through a connection for expelling air and steam from the autoclave.
  • connection between the autoclave and the water container 'for expelling air and steam from the autoclave comprises an evacuation conduit operatively connected to communicate with the interior of the autoclave and a branch conduit extending from the evacuation conduit to the water container.
  • the water storage means includes a water storage tank
  • the connection between the autoclave and the water container for expelling air and steam from the autoclave comprises an evacuation conduit operatively connected to communicate with the interior of the autoclave and a branch conduit extending from the evacuation conduit to the water container, the evacuation conduit being in communication with the water storage tank through a conduit extending from the evacuation conduit and including a temperature-actuated selector valve; the evacuation conduit being further in communication with said water storage tank through a circuit including, in the sequence presented; the water container, the three-way valve and a conduit extending from the three-way valve to the water storage tank.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
US603811A 1966-03-04 1966-12-22 Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave Expired - Lifetime US3481692A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE291366 1966-03-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3481692A true US3481692A (en) 1969-12-02

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US (1) US3481692A (xx)
AT (1) AT271734B (xx)
BE (1) BE691163A (xx)
CH (1) CH484675A (xx)
DK (1) DK123072B (xx)
FI (1) FI48319C (xx)
FR (1) FR1506233A (xx)
GB (1) GB1122932A (xx)
NL (1) NL6618244A (xx)
NO (1) NO122092B (xx)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3606996A (en) * 1969-05-02 1971-09-21 Chemotronics International Inc Method for sterilization
US3773466A (en) * 1970-09-10 1973-11-20 F Linder Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave
US3944387A (en) * 1973-02-05 1976-03-16 Sybron Corporation Method and apparatus for sterilizing with a heavier-than-air gas
US4052858A (en) * 1975-01-08 1977-10-11 Jeppson Morris R Method and apparatus integrating water treatment and electrical power production
US4146570A (en) * 1976-03-20 1979-03-27 Labor Muszeripari Muvek Automatic steam sterilizer having air exhaust valve
US4156652A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-05-29 Reiner Wiest Apparatus for sterilizing fluids with UV radiation and ozone
US4759909A (en) * 1983-02-23 1988-07-26 Joslyn Valve Corp. Methods and apparatus for steam sterilization
US4942847A (en) * 1988-01-28 1990-07-24 Oy Santasalo-Sohlberg Ab Generation and accumulation of steam
US5271893A (en) * 1989-11-24 1993-12-21 Duncan Newman Apparatus for steam sterilization of articles
WO1995014494A1 (en) * 1993-11-26 1995-06-01 Electrical Control Systems Pty. Ltd. Autoclaving method and apparatus
US20050189016A1 (en) * 2004-03-01 2005-09-01 Bell James E.Jr. Recirculation system
WO2007099418A1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-09-07 Marinella Cortellini Steam desk sterilizer and method for controlling the working pressure thereof
CN111110882A (zh) * 2020-01-20 2020-05-08 无锡海德曼医疗设备有限公司 高效率的蒸汽利用装置

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE7703956L (sv) * 1977-04-05 1978-10-06 Electrolux Ab Sett och anordning vid en steriliseringsautoklav
CN106198372A (zh) * 2016-08-17 2016-12-07 华电电力科学研究院 耐腐蚀高温高压釜系统

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1728333A (en) * 1929-09-17 Peocess of sterilizing
US1728334A (en) * 1918-02-02 1929-09-17 Crowther David Sterilizing apparatus
US3107975A (en) * 1960-08-31 1963-10-22 Linder Fritz Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1728333A (en) * 1929-09-17 Peocess of sterilizing
US1728334A (en) * 1918-02-02 1929-09-17 Crowther David Sterilizing apparatus
US3107975A (en) * 1960-08-31 1963-10-22 Linder Fritz Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3606996A (en) * 1969-05-02 1971-09-21 Chemotronics International Inc Method for sterilization
US3773466A (en) * 1970-09-10 1973-11-20 F Linder Arrangement for a steam-heated autoclave
US3944387A (en) * 1973-02-05 1976-03-16 Sybron Corporation Method and apparatus for sterilizing with a heavier-than-air gas
US4052858A (en) * 1975-01-08 1977-10-11 Jeppson Morris R Method and apparatus integrating water treatment and electrical power production
US4146570A (en) * 1976-03-20 1979-03-27 Labor Muszeripari Muvek Automatic steam sterilizer having air exhaust valve
US4156652A (en) * 1977-07-28 1979-05-29 Reiner Wiest Apparatus for sterilizing fluids with UV radiation and ozone
US4759909A (en) * 1983-02-23 1988-07-26 Joslyn Valve Corp. Methods and apparatus for steam sterilization
US4942847A (en) * 1988-01-28 1990-07-24 Oy Santasalo-Sohlberg Ab Generation and accumulation of steam
US5271893A (en) * 1989-11-24 1993-12-21 Duncan Newman Apparatus for steam sterilization of articles
WO1995014494A1 (en) * 1993-11-26 1995-06-01 Electrical Control Systems Pty. Ltd. Autoclaving method and apparatus
US5735061A (en) * 1993-11-26 1998-04-07 Electrical Control Systems Pty. Ltd. Autoclaving process and apparatus
US20050189016A1 (en) * 2004-03-01 2005-09-01 Bell James E.Jr. Recirculation system
WO2007099418A1 (en) * 2006-02-28 2007-09-07 Marinella Cortellini Steam desk sterilizer and method for controlling the working pressure thereof
CN111110882A (zh) * 2020-01-20 2020-05-08 无锡海德曼医疗设备有限公司 高效率的蒸汽利用装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI48319C (fi) 1974-09-10
CH484675A (de) 1970-01-31
NO122092B (xx) 1971-05-18
BE691163A (xx) 1967-05-16
AT271734B (de) 1969-06-10
NL6618244A (xx) 1967-09-05
FI48319B (xx) 1974-05-31
DE1642086B2 (de) 1972-06-08
DE1642086A1 (de) 1972-03-16
FR1506233A (fr) 1967-12-15
GB1122932A (en) 1968-08-07
DK123072B (da) 1972-05-15

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