CHAMBERS

Sterivap chambers are constructed in accordance with ASME Section VIII, Division 1, for unfired pressure vessels and are stamped for 45 psig/144° C Design Temperature and Full Vacuum.  The chambers are rectangular in design and jacketed.  The chamber is made from 316L stainless steel with fully welded construction.  Steam baffles are positioned in the chamber to minimize wetting by condensate and ensure proper steam distribution within the chamber.  Surface finishes are available from a glass bead finish up to a mirror polish.  The electrically driven chamber doors are operated by push button and slide vertical or horizontal.  The doors are equipped with a leading edge strip which allows for overriding the door closure should an obstacle be in the doorway.  The doors are sealed by air or steam pressurizing the continuous O-ring gasket.

PIPING SYSTEMS

Piping in contact with feed water and chamber steam is constructed from 316L stainless steel as standard. Control valves are constructed of brass or stainless steel and are pneumatically controlled for reliability. Connections can be NPT or sanitary tri-clamp. Industrial grade, non-proprietary components are used for reliability and ease in replacement. All piping is insulated and marked either hot or cold for easy identification by maintenance personnel.

VACCUM SYSTEM

Every Sterivap HP IL Sterilizer comes equipped with a water ring vacuum pump for high performance. Vacuum levels are repeatable regardless of water pressure or temperature. The vacuum system is integrated into the sterilizer and is equipped with an unique water saving circulation system which reduces water consumption up to 85% over water ejector or other vacuum systems.

WATER SAVING CONDENSATE COOLING SYSTEM

The Sterivap condensate cooling system protects the facility drainage system by automatically sensing the condensate temperature and adding the right amount of cooling water to bring the temperature to an acceptable level.  Cooling water is turned off when no condensate is present.

DOUBLE MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL SYSTEM

The microprocessor based control system provides fully automatic control of all the sterilizer functions.  The double-microprocessor in a master slave configuration allows for independent checking of the chamber temperature and pressure and compares the findings against each other for deviations.  In this way the system ensures the correct temperature and pressure is applied during the cycle.  Features include:

• Advanced 8.2” color touch screen for operator visualization and input
• 20 programmable cycles with a wide range of programmable parameters
• High level password protection system
• Dual pressure and temperature sensors
• Automatic diagnostic system in clear text on OIT screen and printout
• Automatic start-up and shut-down of utilities for utility conservation
• Chip card system for cycle parameter storage and program installation
• 4.25” printer with digital and graphical printout
• Optional 12” ergonomic color touch screen

PREPROGRAMMED CYCLE DESCRIPTIONS

Seven cycles are preprogrammed for ease in use.  The programs can be custom programmed to meet user’s requirements.  An additional 13 programs are available for the user to program.  With the chip card unlimited programs can be stored.

Dry Goods ¾Vacuum Cycle (Standard)

This cycle provides effective sterilization of hard goods, filters, linens, and other porous materials, wrapped goods, and product that is unaffected by vacuum.  This cycle is also highly effective at removing moisture from the load during drying.  At the end of the cycle, air pulses can be initiated to aid in drying.

Program P1– Exposure Temperature 134°C for 4 minutes with short drying.
For instruments, single wrapped or unwrapped goods – pre-vacuum method with short drying phase

Program P2– Exposure Temperature 134°C for 7 minutes with 10 minute drying.
For textiles, instruments, and wrapped goods – pulsing vacuum method with drying phase

Program P3– Exposure Temperature 134°C for 7 minutes with 20 minute drying.
For heavy instruments and wrapped goods – pulsing vacuum method with super-drying program

Program P4– Exposure Temperature 121°C for 20 minutes with 20 minute drying.
For glassware, heat resistant items of synthetic material or rubber – pulsing vacuum method with drying phase

Solution Cycle ¾Gravity Air Removal / Ramped Exhaust

This cycle effectively sterilizes liquid products or items in vented or sealed glass containers.  Exhaust ramping gradually returns liquids to a temperature below boiling.  A movable RTD is equipped inside the chamber for placement into the product.  The RTD ensures that the liquid is below the boiling point before the chamber door is allowed to open.

Program P5– Exposure Temperature 121°C for 20 minutes with ramped exhaust.
For vented solutions in glass or heat-resistant containers.

Test Cycles

Program P6– Vacuum Leak Test – Verification of chamber piping and door seal integrity
The acceptable maximum leak rate is 1 mm HG/min. over a 10 minute period following a fixed stabilization time.

Program P7– Dart Test – For verification of effective removal of residual air in the chamber and load during testing.  Test cycle determines if even and rapid steam penetration into the test load has occurred.  Cycle parameters are preprogrammed and fixed.

OPTIONAL CYCLES AVAILABLE

Solution Cycle with Air Over-pressure Cooling

The solution cycle with air over-pressure cooling effectively sterilizes liquid products or items in vented or sealed glass containers.  After the exposure timer is timed out, air over-pressure is injected into the chamber while the steam is exhausted out through the drain.  Cooling water replaces the steam in the chamber jacket, and make up air is pulsed through the chamber to expedite the process.  At the end of the cycle, air pulses can be initiated to aid in drying.

 Effluent Sterilization Cycle

The chamber steam condensate is held inside the chamber throughout the sterilization cycle.  Steam enters the chamber from the bottom of the chamber to ensure that the condensate is kept at the sterilization temperature throughout the cycle.  Vacuum is pulled from the top of the chamber through the 0.2 micron filter to ensure adequate filtration before the drain.

STEAM GENERATORS

When clean steam is not available from the facility, the sterilizer can be equipped with an integral 316 Ti stainless steel steam generator for the production of clean steam.  The steam generator can be electrically heated or plant-steam heated.  The steam generator is fully integrated into the sterilizer and controlled via the steam sterilizer control panel.  A surge tank and feed water booster pump system is provided as standard.  When pretreated feed water is not available, the unit can be equipped with a water purification system.

LOADING EQUIPMENT

Chamber Shelves

The chamber can be ordered with a rack system holding internal shelves.  The rack system comes with 2 perforated stainless steel shelves and can accommodate more depending upon load heights.  The extendible, removable shelves are made from 316L stainless steel.  Custom shelf support heights can be specified at the time of order.

Loading Cart

The loading cart is designed for use with a transfer carriage to allow the cart to be moved on tracks from the carriage into the chamber.  The loading cart is fabricated of 316L stainless steel and has wheels for ease of insertion and removal from the chamber of the sterilizer.  The loading cart has all-welded construction.  The bottom shelf is stationary; other shelves are height adjustable.  The cart comes equipped with one bottom shelf and one adjustable shelf.  Includes removable tracks installed in the chamber to guide the loading cart.

Transfer Carriage

The transfer carriage provides a stable platform for moving the loading cart within the work area and up to the sterilizer chamber at the height of the chamber.  Two transfer carriages are recommended on pass-through models, one for each the load and unload ends of the sterilizer.  Transfer carriages are constructed of 304 stainless steel.