Types and Uses of Horizontal Steam Sterilizers

Horizontal Steam Sterilizers Types and Uses

There are many methods available for sterilization, moist heat in the form of saturated under pressure is the most widely used and is the most dependable method. Horizontal Steam sterilization is inexpensive and nontoxic and rapidly heats. Steam Sterilization is an important process in every laboratory. The whole procedure is performed in a steam sterilizer.

A Brief Introduction to Steam Sterilization We often listen to the term “Autoclave�. Steam sterilization and autoclave are closely related to each other. In fact, they are often used interchangeably. An autoclave is generally used in the laboratory while Sterilizer is more commonly used in hospitals. The autoclave is a device that is used to kill germs and bacteria using steam heat. Different types of items are sterilized for different purposes at the different temperature.

How Autoclaves or Steam Sterilization Came Into Existence The autoclave was founded in 1879 by Charles Chamberland but the concept of sterilization was available in earlier times. Unlike most operations are going on in today’s laboratories and

hospitals sterilization occurs using the same principle for the last 100 years and producing effective results.

Why Is Steam Used?

To kill the bacteria and germs, we must need high temperature so that protein in the cell can break and coagulate. Steam is a very efficient medium for transferring the heat, so that is can kill microbes.

If you are a science student, you know very well, to bring one liter of water to its boiling point requires 80 kcal of heat energy. Now converting that liter of water to steam requires 540 kcal, what does that mean? It means that steam at 100 degrees contains seven times as much energy as water at 100 degrees. It is that energy that makes steam more efficient at destroying microorganisms.

Types of Steam Sterilization The two basic types of steam sterilizers are the gravity displacement autoclave and the high-speed vacuum sterilizer.

1. Gravity Displacement 2. High-Speed vacuum sterilizer In the first type, steam is admitted at the top or the sides of the chamber. And we know steam is lighter than the air, forces air out of the bottom. On the other hand, gravity displacement autoclaves are used in the laboratory, pharmaceutical companies. Horizontal Steam sterilizers India are usually monitored using a print out by measuring the temperature, the time at the temperature, and pressure.

The portable steam sterilizers are primarily used in applications such as outpatient and dental clinics. These sterilizers are designed for small instruments, such as syringes and needles and dental instruments. The ability of the sterilizer to reach physical parameter necessary to achieve sterilization should be monitored by mechanical, chemical and biological indicators.

Uses of Horizontal Steam Sterilizers: Horizontal Steam sterilizers India should be used whenever possible on all critical and semicritical items that are heat and moisture resistant. Steam sterilizers are also used in the healthcare facilities to decontaminate microbiological waste and sharp containers but additional exposure is necessary for the gravity sterilizers for these items.

Source: Types and Uses of Horizontal Steam Sterilizers