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Autoclaves in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick

Autoclaves in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick. Janine Kimpton – Technical Services Centre Manager Dave Hibberd – Workshop & Infrastructure Manager. Distribution. 15 autoclaves in 8 locations across 3 sites 3 prep room 1 media prep 4 containment

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Autoclaves in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick

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  1. Autoclaves in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick Janine Kimpton – Technical Services Centre Manager Dave Hibberd – Workshop & Infrastructure Manager

  2. Distribution • 15 autoclaves in 8 locations across 3 sites • 3prep room • 1media prep • 4 containment • 1 BSU (Total of 9 at Gibbet Hill) • 2 Phytobiology • 4Wellesbourne (plus numerous bench tops)

  3. Gibbet Hill

  4. Makes/Models • Boxer – 400/700L, 400/500L 400/300L, 400/150L • Priorclave –PS/RSC/SH350D, PS/RSC/SH700, PS/RSC/SH350

  5. Maintenance • Annual service – in house (Workshop & Infrastructure Team) or Autoclave Services (autoclave.service@btinternet.com) • Annual validation – priority given to containment machines (schedule in downtime) and those handling licensed material • Significant commitment - c£20K/annum

  6. Remote Monitoring • ABB 4 channel recorder • Web based, remote access • Early warning of problems

  7. Purchasing History • 1980-2006: Rodwell →Drayton Castle → Boxer → Priorclave→ Boxer • Historically largely dependent on contacts and word of mouth • What would we buy if we bought a new one now? – market has changed

  8. Power Options • Gas steam generation • Electric self-generation • Dual gas-electric integration

  9. Gas Steam Generation • Installation and maintenance costs high • Generator consistently running at full pressure • Steam can be turned off overnight when not in use, but must then reheat next morning • Only cost effective & energy efficient if running multiple large autoclaves for many hours a day

  10. Electric Self-Generation • Low pressure • heat from cold (via elements) • only use significant energy during the heating phase of the run • can be slow to reach temperature • High pressure • self contained boiler – keep on - quicker • higher energy consumption • recommend fitting a timer

  11. The Reality in Life Sciences • School consists of several buildings of varying ages • Recent rationalisation from 2 prep rooms to 1 • Concentration of high throughput machines now in one building • 1 steam plant shut down

  12. Current situation – dual gas-electric • 2 gas powered steam generators (run on alternative weeks) • Steam at 10Bar/11 hours a day • 6 autoclaves running off steam (electric used less frequently) • Total electrical power requirement would be around 400Ah – would require a huge upgrade to the existing substation.

  13. Other Considerations • Location and air handling • Single machine can take ambient temp up to 30-35oC • Produce radiated as well as convected heat • Water rather than air cooling the chamber rather can help - air cooling can dramatically increase the ambient temperature.

  14. Other Considerations • Local Exhaust Ventilation - required • Plumbing & Electrics – can be extensive ‘New’ locations can be costly

  15. Other Considerations • Metal boxes - improve the thermal conductivity of the steam, ensuring that the load has achieved sterilizing temperature as quickly as possible. • Rationalisation – but not good practice to share use between waste and media prep

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