What is an Autoclave? Learn About Steam Sterilization & More

What is an Autoclave? Autoclaves, also synonymously known as steam sterilizers, are typically used to carry out healthcare or industrial applications requiring elevated steam pressure and temperature. A pressure autoclave is a simple device that makes use of pressurized steam to kill and destroy microbial life that may be present on a contaminated load placed inside the pressure vessel including harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, and microorganisms.

(Picture of Tuttnauer autoclave above)

A load is considered sterile once it has undergone a full sterilization cycle, upon which it can be reused for sensitive areas such as laboratories or operating rooms without the fear of introducing foreign microorganisms. Different types of items must be sterilized for different lengths of time and at different temperatures to reach the desired state of sterility. This processes is the most efficient method in removing waste through steam sterilization. 

Table of Contents  1. A brief history of the autoclave. 2. Why does steam work for sterilization? 3. How does an autoclave work? 4. Important parts of an autoclave. 5. How to use an autoclave? 6. When to use autoclave? 7. Precautions while using autoclave. 8. What is the difference between manual and automatic autoclaves? 9. Which autoclave should I choose?

A brief history of the autoclave

Steam autoclave devices used today has been intimately modelled after the “steam digester”, a prototype invented by physicist Denis Papin in 1679. This autoclave was essentially a modern-day pressure cooker and was founded to process food for easier digestion. It wouldn’t be until 1879, two centuries later that French microbiologist Charles Chamberland would create a new version of the steam autoclave to be used for medical applications. Charles Chamberland created a new type of filtration system known as the "Chamberland filter". These filter devices and his research resulted in the creation of the steam autoclave, which became a important device in lab departments, hospitals, and healthcare facilities.

(Schematic diagram of a Chamberland filter)

Over time, new a autoclave technology emerged, giving way to pre-vacuum cycles or steam-flush pressure-pulse to create the autoclave popularly used in the hospitals today. Despite the change in design and new additional features, the principles and methods for sterilization have, to a large degree, remained unchanged for the past 150 years.

Why does steam work for sterilization?

The basic principle behind this phenomenon is that moist heat destroys cells and microorganisms. Steam is a very efficient medium for heat transference while air, on the other hand, is ineffective in transferring heat and energy because of a concept called the heat of vaporization.

When steam comes on contact with a cooler object, it condenses into water and loads all of the energy (needed to boil and steam the water) onto the cooler surface. This process heats up the microorganism cells with higher efficiency than would air and at an adequate temperature, causes the cell walls to breakdown and undergo irreversible coagulation. Due to the denaturation of enzymes and structural proteins that make up a microorganism’s cell, we can achieve successful sterility through steam.

(Example of steam sterilization below)

 

How does an autoclave work?

Irrespective of whether it is a small tabletop autoclave unit or an industrial-sized bulk autoclave unit, all steam autoclaves operate using principles similar to those of a kitchen pressure cooker- that is, the chamber is sealed and all air within is replaced by steam.

Three factors are critical to ensure successful steam sterilization in an autoclave - time, temperature, and steam quality. To meet and execute these guidelines, there are three phases to the autoclave process:

1. Conditioning Phase (C): Air inhibits sterilization and must be removed from the autoclave chamber. Steam flows through the sterilizer and starts to displace the air within the chamber.
2. Exposure Phase (S): After the air is removed, the autoclave sterilizer drain closes, and steam is continuously admitted into the chamber. This program rapidly increases the pressure and temperature inside to a predetermined setpoint and maintains them until the desired time is reached. The items are exposed to the steam and allowed to sterilize.
3. Exhaust Phase (E): The autoclave sterilizer drain is opened and steam is allowed to exit, depressurizing the vessel and allowing the items in the load to dry.

Under appropriate pressure and temperature, the steam and steam sterilization can reach in even the smallest of crevices and can kill a vast majority of the microorganisms, waste, spores, and more - making the item fully sterile (disinfection) and ready for reuse.

Important parts of an autoclave

1. Vessel: The vessel is the main body of the steam autoclave, consisting of an inner chamber and an outer jacket. Hospital autoclaves come with jacketed chambers where the jacket is filled with steam, effectively reducing the duration of a sterilization cycle. The jacket supplies temperature uniformity within the chamber, reduces the likelihood of wet packs, and minimizes wet steam detrimental to the sterilization process.
2. Thermostatic trap/whistle: A thermostatic trap or steam trap is a device designed to allow air and condensed water to escape from the chamber while preventing the passage of dry steam.
3. Safety valve: Fitted with a number of safety features, the safety valve is the final fail-safe device for the pressure vessel in case all electronic controls fail.
4. Steam generator: A steam generator or boiler is present underneath the chamber. It uses an electric heating system to heat the water and generate steam in the chamber.
5. Vacuum generator: In some autoclaves, a separate vacuum generator is present to pull the air from inside the chamber and expel it outside, creating a vacuum inside the chamber.
6. Waste-water cooler: Many autoclaves are equipped with a system to cool the effluent before it enters the draining pipes. This prevents damage to the draining pipes due to the boiling water.

How to use an autoclave?

In general, items to be autoclaved are subjected to a gradual temperature increase up to 121°C and then steamed for around 15 to 20 minutes, under radical pressure of 15 psi. The steam used should be composed of 97% steam (vapor) and 3% moisture (liquid water).

Here is how you can operate an autoclave with ease:

• Add a sufficient amount of water inside the chamber for the best sterilization to occur.
• Place the materials, instruments, packaging or application to be sterilized inside the chamber.
• Once the products or applications are placed, close the lid and tighten the screws to ensure than an airtight condition is created. Then, switch on the electric heater.
• Adjust the safety valves to maintain the required pressure in the chamber.
• Once the water begins to boil inside the chamber, the air-water mixture should be allowed to escape through the discharge tube so that all the air inside the chamber can be replaced by steam.
• Once all the air temperature has been displaced by steam, water bubbles will stop coming out of the pipe and you can now close the drainage pipe.
• The pressure within is allowed to reach the desired level of 15 psi. Once the pressure is reached, the whistle blows to remove excess pressure from the chamber.
• After the whistle goes off, the autoclave is kept running for a holding period of 15 minutes.
• The electric heater can then be switched off and the autoclave is allowed to cool until the pressure gauge indicates that the inside pressure has lowered to that of the atmospheric pressure.
• Open the discharge pipe to allow air from outside to enter the autoclave.
• Finally, open the lid. The sterilized materials can be taken out of the steam autoclave.

When to use autoclave?

Autoclaves can be used for a variety of medical applications such as:

1. To decontaminate medical waste containing bacteria, spores, viruses, and other biological materials before disposal.
2. To sterilize medical equipment including glassware, unwrapped goods, utensils, porous materials, surgical equipment, etc.
3. To sterilize culture media, autoclavable containers, plastic tubes, and pipette tips.

Because autoclaving sterilizes items without the use of reagents, it allows for many solutions in reusing lab equipment and supplies. It is, for this very reason, opted as an environmentally friendly method of sterilizing medical waste before disposal without the need for incinerators.

(Example of a steam autoclave being loaded with packed instruments)

Precautions while using autoclave

Although fairly easy to use, you should be aware of some of these rules and guideless while operating steam autoclaves:

• Autoclaves should not be used to sterilize water-proof or water-resistant substances such as powders or oils.
• Should not be overcrowded, instead, the items should be loaded in a way where all of them receive sufficient penetration by steam temperature.
• Only autoclavable bags should be used to autoclave packaged waste.
• Materials like aluminum foil should not be used to wrap articles for effective penetration by the steam.
• All items should be placed in the chamber in a way that they do not touch the sides or the top of the chamber.
• Waste and clean items should be autoclaved separately.
• Steam autoclaves should not be opened while they are working. This can contaminate the sterilization cycle and function. 
• Liquid components should never be autoclaved in sealed containers.
• Liquids inside the containers should only be filled 2/3rd of the total volume to prevent spilling.
• Plastic or polyethylene trays or containers should not be used to prevent melting. This is due to the extreme steam temperature. 
• Never autoclave flammable, reactive, corrosive, toxic, or radioactive materials, household bleach, or paraffin-embedded tissue.

What is the difference between automatic and manual autoclaves?

Automatic autoclaves are extremely easy to operate thus why they are generally more expensive than manual devices. This is a set it and forget it type of experience. The menu items are easy to work with and create an auto experience compared to devices that are manual. All you need to do is set the autoclave to on/start in the menu, and you’re ready to go. So, how does sterilization work in auto steam autoclaves? 

1. The water will fill the chamber automatically after you select your specific sterilization settings, which will typically be indicated by a light for your convenience.
2. After this time, the steam sterilization process will take place and sanitize your specific content.
3. Once your sterilization settings have been configured to their optimal cleaning points, the autoclave will exhaust the steam and automatically start the drying cycle.
4. Once the drying cycle is complete, your unit will alert you when the sterilization process is complete.

(Example of an Automatic Autoclave being unloaded)

Manual autoclaves require more work on your part. They are not as easy to operate as automatic units but they are much less expensive and easier to repair. They are also less expensive. How does this process differ from automatic devices?

1. Since this is a manual unit, you need to patiently wait for the water to flow into the unit and set the steam autoclave to the fill position each time.
2. Once the water is filled, you need to load your items and/or supplies for sterilization and shut the autoclave's door.
3. Once the door is shut, lock the autoclave with its manual lock, set your desired temperature and set its timer cycle.
4. Once the autoclave is done sterilizing, you will need to manually open the door and exhaust the steam before setting the dry cycle. Please take note that the pressure will need to drop to zero as well.
5. Set the steam autoclave to its dry cycle by resetting its timer.
6. Once the timer is up, usually by a beep or buzzing sound, the packaging supplies can be removed.

As you can see, the manual process is much more tedious and time consuming. We always recommend our customers go with the automatic options, if they can afford it, but the manual process does the same job in its end. 

(Example of a manual autoclave with several functions)

As always, if you have any questions regarding autoclaves give us a call at 224-829-0325 or shoot us an email at info@leadsonics.com. Already made up your mind? Visit our autoclave shop for exclusive deals and discounts.  

Which autoclave should I choose? 

Choosing the right steam autoclave for you can be quite a challenge. Steam autoclaves vary from application and function, and can be found in a complex biological laboratory to regular commercial nail saloon.

We have created a comparison chart below to view all our models from our manufacturer and how each one can be viewed specifically for your needs. 

Check out our comparison tables below:

 

 

	EZ10	EZ9	EZ9 Plus	EZ11Plus	EZ10k	Elara11	T-Edge	3870EA
Chamber Dimensions	10" x 19"	9" x 18"	9" x 19.8"	11" x 19.8"	10" x 19"	11" x 19.8"	18" x 10"	15" x 30"
Overall Dimensions (D x W x H)	21.5" x 20" x 14.4"	21.5" x 20"  x 14.4"	24.8"  x 19.1" x 15.1"	24.8" x 20.9"  x 17.3"	21.5" x 20" x 14.4"	26"  x 20.9" x 17.3"	18.9" x 19.23" x 22.44"	34.5" x 26"  x 20.6"
Tray Dimensions (D x W x H)	16.3"  x 6.7"  x 0.8"	16.3" x 6.7" x 0.8"	16.3"  x 6.7" x 0.6"	16.3"  x 6.7"  x 0.6"	16.3"  x 6.7"  x 0.8"	16.3" x 6.7" x 0.6"	16.5" x 7.4" x 0.8"	26.6"  x 11.3"  x 1" 26.6"  x 13.8"  x 1"
Number of Trays	4	3	3	5	4	5	5	2
Chamber Volume	6 gallons	5 gallons	5.2 gallons	7.5 gallons	6 gallons	7.5 gallons	6 gallons	22 gallons
Cassette Capacity	3 full and 3 half	2 full and 2 half	2 full and 2 half	4 full and 4 half	3 full and 3 half	4 full and 4 half	3 full and 3 half	15 full
Unwrapped Cycle Time	Cold: 30 min Hot: 14 min	Cold: 27 min Hot: 13 min	20 min	20 min	Cold: 21 min Hot: 11 min	20 min	20 - 60 min	Cold: 32 min Hot: 23 min
Voltage	120 V	120 V	120 V	120 V	230 V	230 V	230 V	230 V
Frequency	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	60 Hz	50/60 Hz
Power	1400 W	1400 W	1400 W	1400 W	2200 W	2300 W	2000 W	3000 W
Current	12 A	12 A	12 A	12 A	10 A	10 A	10 A	13.6 A
Weight	95 lb	95 lb	104 lb	126 lb	95 lb	171 lb	110 lb	278 lb
Type	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic	Auto/Digital	Automatic
Warranty	2 Year	2 Year	2 Year	2 Year	2 Year	1 Year	2 Year	2 Year
Price	$4,959.99	$4,499.99	$4,499.99	$5,075.99	$5,189.99	$8,849.99	$6,380.99	$15,399.00

Manual/Semi Autoclaves

	Valueklave 1730	2340M	2540M	2540MK Kwiklave	2540MKA	3870M
Chamber Dimensions	7" x 13"	9" x 18"	10" x 19"	10" x 19"	10" x 19"	15" x 30"
Overall Dimensions (D x W x H)	17.9"  x 17.4" x 12"	21.5" x 20"  x 14.4"	21.5" x 20" x 14.4"	21.5" x 20" x 14.4"	21.5" x 20" x 14.4"	34.5" x 26"  x 20.6"
Tray Dimensions (D x W x H)	11.6"  x 4.7" x 0.8"	16.3" x 6.7" x 0.8"	16.3"  x 6.7" x 0.8"	16.3"  x 6.7" x 0.8"	16.3"  x 6.7" x 0.8"	26.6"  x 11.3"  x 1" 26.6"  x 13.8"  x 1"
Number of Trays	3	3	4	4	4	2
Chamber Volume	2 gallons	5 gallons	6 gallons	6 gallons	6 gallons	22 gallons
Cassette Capacity	2 half	2 full and 2 half	3 full and 3 half	3 full and 3 half	3 full and 3 half	15 full
Unwrapped Cycle Time	Cold: 16 min Hot: 11 min	Cold: 27 min Hot: 13 min	Cold: 30 min Hot: 14 min	Cold: 21 min Hot: 11 min	Cold: 16 min Hot: 12 min	Cold: 32 min Hot: 23 mins
Voltage	120 V	120 V	120 V	230 V	230 V	230 V
Frequency	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz	50/60 Hz
Power	1350 W	1400 W	1400 W	2200 W	2200 W	3000 W
Current	11 A	12 A	12 A	10 A	10 A	13.6 A
Weight	50 lb	85 lb	85 lb	85 lb	85 lb	278 lb
Type	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Semi	Manual
Warranty	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	2 Year
Price	$2,511.99	$3,989.99	$4,539.99	$4,819.99	$5,319.99	$12,249.99

 

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