Autoclaves in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick

Janine Kimpton – Technical Services Centre Manager

Dave Hibberd – Workshop & Infrastructure Manager

Distribution15 autoclaves in 8 locations across 3 sites

3 prep room 1 media prep 4 containment 1 BSU (Total of 9 at Gibbet Hill) 2 Phytobiology 4 Wellesbourne

(plus numerous bench tops)

Gibbet Hill

Makes/Models

Boxer – 400/700L, 400/500L

400/300L, 400/150L

Priorclave – PS/RSC/SH350D, PS/RSC/SH700, PS/RSC/SH350

MaintenanceAnnual 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

Remote Monitoring

ABB 4 channel recorder

Web based, remote accessEarly warning of problems

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

Power Options

Gas steam generationElectric self-generationDual gas-electric integration

Gas Steam GenerationInstallation and maintenance costs highGenerator 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

Electric Self-GenerationLow 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

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

Current situation – dual gas-electric

2 gas powered steam generators (run on alternative weeks)

Steam at 10Bar/11 hours a day6 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.

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.

Other Considerations

Local Exhaust Ventilation - requiredPlumbing & Electrics – can be extensive

‘New’ locations can be costly

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