What are the Types of Autoclaves?
Different types (Class of Autoclaves):
- Class N,
- Class S and
- Class B.
There are several varieties of autoclaves (4 types of autoclaves) available on the market, including
1. Pressure cooker type/ Laboratory bench autoclaves (N-type)
- In many regions of the world, these domestic pressure cookers are still in use.
- A rubber gasket can be used to fasten and seal the more contemporary form, which includes a metal chamber with a secure metal cover.
- It contains a safety valve, pressure gauge, and a tap for steam and air discharge. At the bottom of the chamber is an electric immersion heater.
- The top layer of a pressure cooker-style autoclave is made of premium stainless steel. A detachable lid serves as the covering for the top layer. The lower part is a hollow chamber in a similar way.
Below are the parts of this type autoclaves:
- Heating Elements: For heating the water.
- Gasket: Required for preventing the loss of vapor and heat.
- Steam Releasing Valve: To substitute air present within the autoclave previously sterilization and steam after sterilization.
- Pressure Regulating Valve (Stop Cock): To maintain the vapour pressure inside the chamber while sterilization is taking place by exhaling extra steam.
- Safety Valve: To discharge extra steam if the stop cock fails to operate correctly.
- Tripod Stand: To grip the physical objects that wanted to autoclave.
- Vacuum Releasing Valve (Optional): To generate a pre-vacuum, prior to its operation.
2. Gravity displacement type autoclave (Gravity autoclaving)
- This is the autoclave that is most frequently used in laboratories.
- This also known as Class N Autoclave.
- In this kind of autoclave, the heating unit creates steam inside the chamber, which circulates throughout the chamber for sterilization.
- Comparatively speaking, this kind of autoclave is less expensive than others.
3. Positive pressure displacement type (B-type)
- In the case of this kind of (Positive pressure displacement type) autoclave, the steam is produced in a different steam generator and then introduced into the autoclave.
- This autoclave is quicker because the steam can be produced in just a few seconds.
- Compared to gravity displacement autoclaves, this type is an improvement.
4. Negative pressure displacement type (S-type)
- A steam generator and a vacuum generator are both present in Negative pressure displacement type autoclave.
- Here, the steam generator produces steam while the vacuum generator removes all of the air from the autoclave.
- The autoclave is then filled with steam.
- This autoclave type is the most frequently advised since it is highly accurate and achieves a high level of sterility assurance.
- This type of autoclave is also the most expensive.
Related: Difference between a Class B and Class N Autoclaves
Read More:
- Type s autoclave
- autoclave diagram
- Difference Between Thin Layer and Paper Chromatography
- Type of Glass container used in Pharmaceuticals
- Fume Hood
- Type of HPLC Column
- Type of Capsules
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Capsules
- Gelatin
- Type of HPLC Detectors
- Difference between HPLC and UPLC
- What are the Differences between GC and HPLC?
- Data integrity