Sterilizer in G147; Components and Operation
BACKGROUND
Documentation inside door.
Machine originally built in 1983.
Rebuilt early 2000.
Net price of rebuilt machine including trade-in $28,381.44.
Inspected by BC Safety Authority 2004.
MAJOR PARTS OF THE MACHINE
Boiler, chamber, control system.
SWITCHES
Main switch on wall; do not touch;
Standby/Power switch on console; user operated.
Cycle selector buttons on console; user operated.
GAUGES
Boiler, chamber, jacket.
VALVES
Hi/Low, steam, flush.
STATES OF THE MACHINE
Off: [main switch on wall].
Standby: power to computer but boiler is cold; [console switch].
Powered: boiler at full temperature and pressure; [console switch].
Running: cycle under control of computer; [started by console button].
OPERATING PROCEDURE
Mark log.
Switch from "Standby" to "Power".
In approximately 20 minutes the boiler pressure should increase to ~60 psi.
If you have not marked the log, do that while waiting.
Flush boiler at 10-15 psi after about 10 minutes warmup.
Load. A liquid should always be in a stainless steel tub.
Close and seal door. Note double hinge.
Choose one of the four cycles. Flash is a rapid cycle for solid material only.
The Liquid cycle has long heating and cooling gradients.
Check parameters. Check parameters. Check parameters. Adjust if necessary.
Check Hi/Low valve. Change if necessary.
| 1.LIQUID | STER=45m |
| TEMP=250 F | |
| Valve=LOW | |
| 3.WASTE | STER=40m |
| TEMP=270 F | DRY=20m |
| Valve=HIGH | |
| 2.FLASH | STER=5m |
| TEMP=270 F | DRY=1m |
| Valve=HIGH | |
| 4.GRAVITY | STER=30m |
| TEMP=250 F | DRY=15m |
| Valve=LOW | |
Start cycle.
Wait.
A tone will signal completion of the cycle.
Respect any instruction on the display when opening the door.
Unload.
Restore parameters.
Record any abnormal observation in log.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Opening the flush valve when the boiler is hot can cause a small
burn from a water droplet or from a leak at the sight glass. Use a glove.
A sealed bottle can explode. Do not heat an enclosed fluid.
Use the Liquid cycle when appropriate.
ABNORMAL CONDITIONS
Operating with no record in log; ask user to update log.
Alarm; press reset. If chamber fails to cool, shut off steam supply.
Correct the problem and start cycle again.
Door mechanism is stuck; press center hub in.
Door will not open; look for loose screw on lower edge of cover.
Door will not close; look for loose screw on lower edge of cover.
Leakage of steam; report to Jen or Peter.
Water splashing out of settling tank, probably from flushing at too
high a pressure; skip the flush when pressure exceeds 20 psi.
References
http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/disinfection_sterilization/13_0sterilization.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_(microbiology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave
Written, 2008-05-09, Peter E.
Revised, 2012-01-24, 2014-07-24.