Autoclave - A Small Guide about This Lab Equipment

Posted by Global Lab Supply on February 11th, 2020

In any laboratory, sterilization is necessary. From chemicals to equipment, many things must be sterilized before a test or experiment is performed or used. Steam is used to purify the essential stuff. Anautoclave is a machine that is used to clean lab equipment.

In general, the autoclave is used in only laboratories, not in hospitals or medical facilities. Charles Chamberland invented this machine in 1879. He understood that steam could be better effective in sterilizing lab equipment. Autoclaves are generally used to clean medical equipment, lab equipment, pharmaceutical items and some materials.

How does it work?

An autoclave is just like a pressure cooker. It creates steams and pressure to kill harmful bacteria and biohazards. These viruses or bacterias cannot withstand high temperatures. Additionally, autoclave successfully eliminates anything insoluble in water- for example, detergent. 

  The ideal steam quality of an autoclave is 97% gas and 3% water. The autoclave has an enclosed chamber. The steam travels to this chamber through a pipeline. The contaminated equipment is kept inside the locked room. Saturated steam is ideal for sterilizing any equipment. The saturated steam does not hold space for any other thing like harmful bacteria or viruses etc. Hence, the steam is not contaminated.

 Types of autoclave

Types of autoclaves are based on their method of sterilization. 

There are mainly two types of autoclave-

1. Gravity Autoclave

This can be used to sterilize the standard equipment like glassware, steel utensils, bio-hazardous wastes. The steam is pumped into the chamber, and the air force is applied to purify the contents. These autoclaves are ideal for storing items which have a hard surface-

• Metal equipment like utensils used in lab experiments and glass surgical items
• Borosilicate glass equipment
• Bio-waste
• Covered products and products used in experiments

2. Vacuum autoclaves

Pre-vacuum or post- vacuum autoclaves are used where air and its force or pressure cannot sterilize the equipment. This type of autoclaves has a vacuum chamber where the steam is sent, and sterilization works. The steam reaches where the air is present inside the equipment and cleanses them.

Vacuum autoclaves are used for generally sterilize items which have pores or holes in them-

• Tissue culture equipment
• High-density polyethylene products like syringes
• Covered and packed items with air
• Animal cages
• Animal beddings

 How to choose the best autoclaves?

 There are different types of autoclaves, and each of them is used in various sectors. Autoclaves are chosen based on the-

• Which things need to be sterilized is the main criteria. If the sterilizing media is hard and non-porous, then gravity autoclave is best. For porous items, vacuum autoclaves work better.
• The available area. The area open in the laboratory needs to be considered before getting an autoclave. For smaller spaces, tabletop autoclaves work better. For larger space, large autoclaves can be used.

Autoclaves are available in the market in different sizes and shapes and can be used as per requirement.

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Author Bio -:

Global Lab Supply is an expert in the field of Lab Equipment Instruments. Get any type of autoclave and more information about the laboratory supplies to visit Globallabsupply.com.

Original Source:   http://www.loopdesk.com/article/46465/autoclave-a-small-guide-about-this-lab-equipment