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STRUCTURE, MAINTENANCE MEASURES AND
TROUBLESHOOTING OF STEAM STERILIZERS.
Kochkarova Shoira Ibrohim qizi
Andijan state technical institute, Faculty of Automotive Engineering 4th year
student of Biomedical Engineering
shoiraibrohimjanovna@gmail.com
Ismoiljonov Yodgorbek Komiljon o‘g‘li,
Andijan state technical institute Senior lecturer, Department of Metrology and
light industry,
Annotation: Steam sterilizers are of great importance in the medical and
pharmaceutical industries, and their main task is to clean equipment and materials
from microorganisms. This work examines in detail the structure, maintenance
measures and troubleshooting methods of steam sterilizers. Structurally, steam
sterilizers use steam under pressure to carry out a disinfection process at high
temperatures. Their main components are a boiler, a steam extraction system,
control and automation devices, as well as sensors for measuring temperature and
pressure. Maintenance measures are necessary to ensure the effective operation of
sterilizers. These measures include regular cleaning, technical supervision and
necessary repairs. Malfunctions can occur for various reasons, such as pressure
drops, temperature changes or problems with the mechanical parts of the device.
To eliminate these malfunctions, methods such as diagnostics, repairs and
replacement of spare parts are used. This study provides important information for
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improving the efficiency of steam sterilizers and solving problems that arise during
their use.
Keywords: malfunction, sterilization, diagnostics, gravity, Bowie-Dick, lid,
whistle, manometer, valve, vacuum.
There are two types of steam sterilizers, gravity-driven steam sterilizers and
high-velocity steam pre-vacuum sterilizers. Gravity-driven steam sterilizers: are
used primarily for processing laboratory media, water, pharmaceuticals, regulated
medical waste, and items whose non-porous surfaces come into direct contact with
the steam. Steam is introduced from the top or sides of the sterilization chamber. It
displaces the air in the bottom of the chamber through a drain outlet. Since the air
is not completely evacuated, the steam penetration time on porous objects
increases. Not intended for high-temperature sensitive devices.
High-velocity steam-driven vacuum sterilizers: air completely penetrates the
porous material. The Bowie-Dick test is used. It uses surgical gauze pads to detect
air leaks or inadequate air removal from the sterilization chamber.
Procedure.
Place the Bowie-Dick test strip in the center of the test bag
placed in the sterilization chamber and operate the chamber at 134 degrees for 4
minutes. The test is considered passed if the test strip in the test bag shows uniform
color changes. The sterilization chamber can be equipped with a vacuum pump to
ensure that all air is removed before steam is introduced. The Bowie-Dick type of
sheet is specially designed to simulate the materials to be sterilized and to test the
effectiveness of the vacuum system in the autoclave that creates the initial vacuum.
Structure of steam sterilization.
The high-pressure chamber is the main
component of the autoclave. It consists of an inner chamber and an outer shell. The
inner chamber is a stainless steel or bronze shell, and the outer chamber is a steel
shell. Autoclaves used in medical laboratories and hospitals have an outer shell
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filled with steam to reduce the time it takes to reach the sterilization temperature.
The inner chamber is the housing in which the materials to be sterilized are placed.
The volume of the high-pressure chamber can range from 100 to 3,000 liters.
Lid: isolates from the outside atmosphere and maintains the required temperature
and pressure inside the autoclave. Consists of three parts: pressure gauge, whistle,
and safety valve.
Pressure gauge: indicates the pressure generated in the autoclave during
sterilization. Ensures the safe operation of the sterilizer and the operating condition
for operation.
Whistle: controls the pressure inside the chamber by releasing a set amount of
steam.
Safety valve: has a thin rubber layer, if the steam sterilizer fails to do its job, this
layer bursts to reduce the pressure inside the chamber
Steam generator: is located at the bottom of the chamber. It has an electric heating
system that heats the water it produces inside the chamber. Users should always
check that there is enough water in the generator to ensure the smooth running of
the process and to prevent burning or excessive wear of the autoclave parts.
Vacuum generator: removes air from the chamber, as air bubbles in the chamber
can create a breeding ground for any organisms and thus prevent the equipment
from being sterilized.
Wastewater cooler: cools the waste before it enters the drain pipes. The purpose of
the wastewater cooler is to reduce the temperature of the high-temperature hot
water before it is discharged into the drain pipes to prevent damage to the pipes.
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Control/adjustment system: most sterilizers are equipped with a control interface.
The sterilization cycle follows a pre-programmed software program that opens and
closes valves and other components in a specific sequence.
Thermostatic valve: Allows air and water to escape from the chamber. It removes
condensate without allowing dry steam to escape.
Maintenance measures
:
1.
Make sure all cables and connectors are properly connected.
2.
Check the display and screen for damage or deterioration.
3.
Check the hoses inside the steam sterilizer for damage or abrasion.
4.
Check the temperature sensor for debris or damage.
5.
Check the water level sensor in electrically heated steam sterilizers to
prevent the formation of deposits.
6.
Check the chamber lid gasket for any damage, such as cracks.
7.
Check the inside of the chamber and the chamber lid for damage such as
corrosion or cracks.
8.
Check the door hinges, hinge shaft stopper rings, lid hinges, or lid hinge latch
for corrosion or cracks.
Troubleshooting.
1.
If the power switch is turned on but nothing appears on the control panel, the
power cable may not be connected or the fuse or relay on the power source
side may be burnt or broken. In this case, it is necessary to check whether the
power cable is connected and connect the power cable to a power source with
the power required by the sterilizer.
2.
If the temperature rises too high, the water volume in the chamber is too large
or the volume of the items to be sterilized is large, it is necessary to check the
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water volume for sterilization and reduce it to the optimal level, and optimize
the volume of items to be sterilized.
3.
If the sterilization is not completed to a sufficient degree, the sterilization time
will not be enough. It is necessary to extend the sterilization time.
4.
If there is leakage from the chamber cover, dust, etc. may have adhered to the
chamber cover roller or hole, or the chamber cover roller may be damaged or
broken. It is necessary to contact the manufacturer to clean the chamber cover
roller or hole, unplug the power plug from the outlet, and repair.
5.
Steam is leaking from the safety valve, the pressure in the chamber may be
high. Unplug the sterilizer from the power outlet and contact the manufacturer
for repair.
Conclusion.
There are two main types of steam sterilizers: gravity-driven steam
sterilizers and high-velocity steam pre-vacuum sterilizers. Gravity-driven
sterilizers work by displacing air with steam, mainly used for non-porous items,
but they have limited steam penetration in porous objects. High-velocity pre-
vacuum sterilizers remove air completely before introducing steam, ensuring
effective sterilization, especially for porous materials. The Bowie-Dick test is used
to check the vacuum system's efficiency. An autoclave’s key components include
a high-pressure chamber, lid with safety features (pressure gauge, whistle, safety
valve), steam generator, vacuum generator, wastewater cooler, control system, and
thermostatic valve. Proper maintenance involves regularly checking cables,
sensors, gaskets, and components for damage or wear.
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