Hospital Equipment

Autoclave and sterilisers
The draining and air venting of modern high vacuum sterilisers is very important and the manufacturer normally supplies the necessary trapping equipment with the machine.

Figure 11.6.14 shows an autoclave supplied with plant steam for the jacket, and filtered steam for the chamber. The steam supplied to the chamber must be dry, so a separator drained by a float-thermostatic trap should be fitted to the steam line. For the chamber a balanced pressure thermostatic trap with near-to-steam capsule can be used successfully. On large units a float-thermostatic trap may be needed. A strainer to protect the trap is important, as it will catch any fibrous material or broken glass. If the steam inlet to the jacket is at the bottom or at one end, an air vent at the top or the far end will give better heating. The jacket may be drained with a balanced pressure thermostatic trap-strainer unit.

On new systems, there is an increasing requirement to use all stainless steel pipework and fittings to comply with European and International standards. In many cases, this will require the use of 316L steam traps.

Fig. 11.6.14 Hospital autoclave with filtered steam supply