Laboratory Instrument

6th Lecture

Autoclave and Dry oven

Dr. Bayram D. Ahmed PhD

 1- Autoclaves
steam sterilizers

Autoclave is an stainless steel vessel instrument

that operates by creating high moist
temperature under steam pressure.
Autoclaving is the most common, effective,
reliable and practical method of sterilizing
laboratory materials.
 Types of autoclaves
1. Gravity displacement autoclaves
In gravity displacement autoclave, steam
enters the chamber under pressure and
displaces the heavier air downwards and
through the valve in the chamber drain, fitted
with a HEPA filter.
 Types of autoclaves
2. Pre- vacuum autoclaves
These autoclave allow the removal of air from the
chamber before steam is admitted. The exhaust
air is evacuated through a valve fitted with a
HEPA filter. At the end of the cycle, the steam
is automatically exhausted.
They cannot be used to process liquid because of
the vacuum.
How it works?
 Sterilization cycles
1. Purge Phase: Steam flows through the sterilizer and
starts to displace the air.
2. Exposure (Sterilization) Phase: the exhaust valve is
closed , thereby causing the interior temperature and
pressure to increase to the desired set-point.
3. Exhaust Phase: Pressure is released from the chamber
through an exhaust valve and the interior is restored to an
ambient pressure .
▪ Sterilization cycles :
1. Evacuation. 2. Heating. 3. Sterilization. 4. Pressure
normalization. 5. Cooling.
 Components of steam sterilizers
1- Steam generator. To generate water steam.
2- Chamber. For loading sterilization goods.
3- Pressure gauge. To measure atmosphere pressure.
4-Thermocouple. To measure inside temperature.
5- Door lock. To lock the door.
6- Heaters. To boil the water.
7- Cooling fan. To cool the goods after the cycle
8- Evacuator. To evacuate the air.
Precautions in the use of autoclaves

1. Proper use and care of autoclaves.

2. Regular inspection of door and gauges.
3. Containers should allow removal of air.
4. The chamber loosely packed so steam distribute evenly.
5. Slow exhaust setting to avoid liquids as they may boil .
6.Operator should wear protective gloves.
7. Thermocouples should be placed at the center of each load in
order to determine proper operating cycles.
8. The steam should be saturated and free from chemicals that
could contaminate the items being sterilized. Use RO water.
 How to upload the sterilizer
1.Prepare the wrapped or unwrapped goods in
stainless steel containers.
2.Containers should allow the steam to penetrate.
3.Arrange them uniquely.
4.Bottle cups should be loose.
 Precautions in the use of autoclaves
o The following guidelines can help to minimize risks while working
with autoclaves.
1)Proper use and care of autoclaves.
2)Regular inspection of the chamber locks, door
seals and gauges.
3)The steam should be saturated and free from
chemicals that could contaminate the items being
sterilized. Use RO water.
 Care and maintenance
• Every day check the door seal, pressure and temperature.
• Check the door for leaks.
• Check heaters.
• Check steam generator.
• Check thermocouples.
• Check pressure gauges.
• Check water pressure and quality.
• Check filters.
• Check drain pipes.
 2- Dry oven
• They are made of double insulating steel
walls, it uses electric heaters to produce 50-
300oC dry heat, mainly 250 Celsius is used.
• Higher temperatures are needed with a hot-
air oven than with an autoclave because
bacteria resist dry heat .
• A temperature of 180-200 °C for 30 minutes
will kill most resistant spores.
 Dry oven uses
• It is not suitable for sterilizing heat liable
objects such as delicate instrument, plastics
and rubber.
• It is used to sterilize large instrument ,
powders, glassware and pharmaceuticals
(injection oils).
• Commonly are used for drying, sterilization,
heating and baking.
 TYPES OF OVEN –
• Laboratory Oven. – 50-300
• High Temperature Lab Oven. – 300-550 for
quick drying and heating.
• Industrial Oven. –
• Top Loading Annealing Oven. –
• Pharmaceutical Oven. –
• Vacuum Oven. –
• Bench Oven.
 DISADVANTAGES
1. Dry heat penetrates slowly and unevenly.
2. I is not suitable for the surgical dressings,
rubber and plastic good (high temperatures).
3. Dry heat requires specialized packaging
materials that sustain integrity under high heat.
4. Dry heat may require different temperature
and exposure times, depending on the type of
items.
Dry oven