An autoclave is a device that performs the function of sterilizing any objects or products by heating and high pressure inside the chamber. It is at high temperature and a certain level of pressure (as a rule, its value is lower than atmospheric) that the effective elimination of various microorganisms, dust, dirt and other harmful substances accumulated on the surface of the device is achieved. What is this unit and where is it used? You will learn the answers to all these questions from our article today.
Design Features
It is worth noting that the first autoclave for sterilization, invented by Chamberlain back in 1879, is significantly different from today's device models. Depending on the type, this unit can process devices with volumes from several tens of cubic centimeters to several hundred cubic meters. At the same time, the level of working pressure at which the sterilization process takes place can be about 150 MN / m 2 (this is about 1500 kgf / cm 2 ). It is also worth noting that the temperature inside this chamber reaches 500 degrees Celsius. For the entire time of sterilization in the autoclave, a constant temperature and pressure are maintained, the limiting value of which we indicated a little higher. By the way, if a similar process occurs without changing the pressure, then it will not be an autoclave, but a sterilizer (or the so-called drying cabinet).
Autoclave in medicine and chemical industry
This device is used mainly in medicine for processing various medical instruments. Also, an autoclave for sterilization is used in the chemical industry. However, not simple devices are used here, but sealless ones, with a special shielded electric motor that does not require sealing. In this case, the rotor of the motor is mounted on the shaft of the mixer and covered with a thin-walled hermetic shield. The latter, as a rule, is made of non-magnetic materials. This is necessary in order not to exclude the possibility of penetration of magnetic lines from the stator to the rotor during normal operation during normal operation.
Autoclave in the construction industry
Another area of application of these devices is construction, namely the production of certain types of building materials. At the same time, the autoclave itself for sterilization can be tunnel or dead-end. Outwardly, it is a kind of pipe with a diameter of 3-6 meters. Moreover, the length of this device can reach up to 20 meters. The entire pipe at the end is closed with a special cover with a bayonet lock. In this case, a dead end autoclave for sterilization is closed with this tool on one side, and tunnel - on two.
Autoclave in the food industry
It is customary to distinguish between vertical and horizontal devices. These devices can have different sizes and sterilization modes. In a horizontal autoclave, for example, backpressure is created with respect to each individual product container.