Autoclave - Definition, Parts, Principle, Procedure, Types, Uses
Autoclave - Definition, Parts, Principle, Procedure, Types, Uses
Autoclave - Definition, Parts, Principle, Procedure, Types, Uses
Table of Contents
Autoclave Definition
Autoclave Parts/ Components
a. Pressure Chamber
b. Lid/ Door
c. Steam generator/ Electrical heater
d. Vacuum generator (if applicable)
e. Wastewater cooler
Autoclave Principle/ Working
Video: Principle and Working of Autoclave (Pharmaguideline)
Procedure for running an autoclave
Video: How to use an autoclave (BioNetwork)
Types of autoclave
Pressure cooker type/ Laboratory bench autoclaves (N-type)
Gravity displacement type autoclave
Positive pressure displacement type (B-type)
Negative pressure displacement type (S-type)
Uses of autoclave
Precautions
References
Sources
Autoclave Definition
An autoclave is a machine that provides a physical method of
sterilization by killing bacteria, viruses, and even spores present in the
material put inside of the vessel using steam under pressure.
a. Pressure Chamber
The pressure chamber is the main component of a steam autoclave
consisting of an inner chamber and an outer jacket.
The inner chamber is made up of stainless steel or gunmetal, which is
present inside the out chamber made up of an iron case.
The autoclaves used in healthcare laboratories have an outer jacket that
is filled with steam to reduce the time taken to reach the sterilization
temperature.
The inner chamber is the case where the materials to be sterilized are
put.
The size of the pressure chamber ranges from 100 L to 3000 L.
b. Lid/ Door
The next important component of an autoclave is the lid or door of the
autoclave.
The purpose of the lid is to seal off the outside the atmosphere and
create a sterilized condition on ht inside of the autoclave.
The lid is made airtight via the screw clamps and asbestos washer.
The lid consists of various other components like:
Pressure gauge
A whistle is present on the lid of the autoclave is the same as that of the
pressure cooker.
The whistle controls the pressure inside the chamber by releasing a
certain amount of vapor by lifting itself.
Safety valve
A safety valve is present on the lid of autoclave, which is crucial in
cases where the autoclave fails to perform its action or the pressure
inside increases uncontrollably.
The valve has a thin layer of rubber that bursts itself to release the
pressure and to avoid the danger of explosion.
e. Wastewater cooler
Many autoclaves are provided with a system to cool the effluent before
it enters the draining pipes.
This system prevents any damage to the drainage pipe due to the
boiling water being sent out of the autoclave.
Types of autoclave
There are different types of autoclaves present in the market, some of
which are:
Uses of autoclave
Autoclaves are important devices to ensure the sterilization of materials
containing water as they cannot be sterilized by dry heat sterilization.
Besides, autoclaves are used for various other purposes.
References
Frazier WC and Westhoff DC. Food Microbiology. Tata McGraw Hill Publishing
Banwart GJ (1989). Basic Food Microbiology. Chapman & Hall, New York, NY.
Jay JM (2000). Modern Food Microbiology. CBS Publications and Distribution. Delhi.
Collins CH, Patricia M, and Lyne JM (1995). Collins and Lynes Microbiological
Sources
4% – https://ehs.princeton.edu/book/export/html/380
1% – https://www.thespruceeats.com/boiling-points-of-water-1328760
1% – https://www.slideshare.net/Himanshudev1/autoclave-34387038
1% – https://www.britannica.com/science/boiling-point
<1% – https://www.steris.com/healthcare/knowledge-center/sterile-
processing/everything-about-autoclaves
<1% – https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/what-is-an-autoclave-and-how-does-
it-work.html
<1% – https://www.coursehero.com/file/p2qv8ps7/What-type-of-valve-has-a-thin-disc-
that-is-usually-just-smaller-in-diameter/
<1% – https://wiki.bme.com/index.php?title=Autoclave
<1% – https://tomy.amuzainc.com/blog/types-autoclaves-gravity-vs-vacuum-
autoclaves-advantages/
<1% – https://quizlet.com/194157263/autoclave-flash-cards/
<1% – https://microbeonline.com/moist-heat-sterilization-definition-principle-
advantages-disadvantages/
<1% – https://microbeonline.com/autoclave-principle-procedure-types-and-uses/
<1% – https://labsafety.gwu.edu/autoclave-safety
<1% – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave
<1% – https://ehs.research.uiowa.edu/biological/autoclaving-guidelines
<1% – https://courses.lumenlearning.com/cheminter/chapter/vapor-pressure/
<1% – https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/research-lab/biosafety/autoclave/waste.html
<1% –
http://frankshospitalworkshop.com/equipment/documents/autoclaves/background/
The%20Basics%20of%20Sterilization.pdf
Reply
Odongkara Richard
April 6, 2021 at 2:02 AM
Reply
Odongkara Richard
April 6, 2021 at 2:00 AM
Nice lesson
Reply
Krishan Kumar
January 29, 2021 at 1:43 PM
– Krishan Kumar
Reply
Erick
January 28, 2021 at 7:12 PM
Good notes
Reply
Pankaj Kumar
August 4, 2020 at 12:26 PM
What a nice and detailed description of Autoclave is provided here, It is
totally practical and close to reality in Pharmaceutical industry use of
autoclave, I found only one complete article on autoclave which can
satisfy my search. Thanks for the true fruitful information about
autoclave.
Reply
Eddie Njeri
March 10, 2021 at 1:46 PM
Reply
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