What is steam sterilization?
Steam sterilization is a method employed in the field of sterilization using a steam sterilizer or autoclave. The process is designed to eliminate all types of microbial life, including potentially harmful agents like fungi, bacteria, viruses, and spores. The method can be applied to sterilize surfaces, fluids, medications, or compounds, such as biological culture media.
The procedure of steam sterilization is executed under specific conditions, including a steam pressure ranging from 1 to 5 bar, and a sterilization temperature within the range of 100 to 150°C.
Commonly applied parameters for steam sterilization include:
- 121°C for 15 to 20 minutes
- 134°C for 3 to 5 minutes
These standardized parameters ensure the effective elimination of microbial life, meeting the stringent requirements of sterilization in various applications.
SYSTEC V SERIES
Vertical floor-standing autoclaves (top-loading) from 40 to 150 liters chamber volume
SYSTEC D SERIES
Horizontal bench-top autoclaves (front loading) from 23 to 200 liters chamber volume
SYSTEC H & H-2 SERIES
H Series: horizontal high capacity autoclaves (front-loading) from 65 zo 1580 liters chamber volume
H-2 Series: double-door (pass through) autoclaves from 90 to 1580 liters chamber volume
What are the advantages of having your steam generator outside the pressure chamber?
Steam can either be generated by internal heating elements inside or outside the pressure vessel of the autoclave. When the steam generator is outside the pressure vessel, it is still integrated in the housing of the autoclave. Having the steam generator outside the pressure vessel comes with some advantages:
- Much better process control
- Faster heating up to time
- Vacuum can be pulled to ensure 100% removal of air, especially when sterilizing hollow items and waste
- Volume of the external steam generator is smaller and and often does not require a 3rd party for a yearly validation
- Easier to clean the pressure vessel
What is a media preparator?
A mediaprep or media preparator is a device very similar to an autoclave, but designed specifically for media preparation. The medium is prepared (stirrer integrated in the vessel) directly into the pressure vessel and can be pumped directly to a filling station. The advantages of using a mediaprep for media preparations:
- Mediapreps are optimized for fast and save media sterilization
- Preparation and sterilization are done in one process
- The filling of the culture media can be automized
- Reduced risk of re-contamination of the culture media after sterilisation
Systec Mediaprep & Systec Mediafill Solutions
Have a look at this video showing a culture media sterilizer & automated petri-dish plate-pourer. Systec Mediaprep agar preparator and sterilizer and Systec Mediafill automated plate-pourer for petri-dishes, bi-plates, tri-plates and test-tubes. Fully automatic dosing and filling of agar into petri-dishes (Ø 90, 70, 60 or 35 mm) and test tubes.
Analis is an exclusive distributor for Systec autoclaves and media preparators for Belgium ! Ask our experts for more information or support.Contact us
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Our products
HORIZONTAL BENCH-TOP AUTOCLAVES SYSTEC D-SERIES
The Systec D-Series are front-loading, bench-top autoclaves available in 7 sizes with chamber capacities ranging from 23 to 200 l. Compact on the outside but with ideal chamber capacities inside. Each size has an optimal loading capacity for most standard media bottles and Erlenmeyer flasks.
• Fully automatic, microprocessor control including 12 programs:
1-3 Solids
4-5 Waste destruction bags
6-7 Liquid waste
8-11 Liquid Media
12 Cleaning
• Integrated separate steam generator (no heating elements in sterilization chamber)
• Novel safety ring-lock closure system with lip seal
• Temperature and steam pressure up to 140°C / 4 bar absolute pressure, extendable to 150°C / 5 bar absolute pressure
• Thermal lock: door lock controlled by pressure and medium temperature according to Pressure Vessel Regulations
• Flexible PT-100 temperature sensor for reference vessel
• Medium temperature-controlled sterilization time
• Electronic pressure transducer for pressure and temperature control
• "Autofill" - Automatic demineralized water feed for steam generation
• Special program for waste destruction with pulsating heat-up period for improved ventilation of waste bags
• Start by clock / timer for programmed start time
• Steam exhaust condensation, water cooled, thermostatic controlled
• Common collector connection for all outlets
• Emptying valve
• Base plate for vessels, baskets etc.
• Validation port
• RS 232 interface for external data transfer
• Prepared for subsequent printer installation
• Prepared for subsequent rapid cooling installation
• Prepared for subsequent installation of vacuum system
• Prepared for subsequent drying installation
• Safety cut of at low water level
• Safety cut of at excess temperature
The Systec V-Series of top-loading vertical autoclaves in 8 different sizes with 40 to 150 liters chamber volume is distinguished by its small footprint and high chamber capacity. Result: optimal loading capacity with most standard media bottles and Erlenmeyer flasks.
Systec VX-150 Vertical, top-loading autoclave,
Chamber volume (liter) total /nominal: 166/150,
Chamber dimensions (mm) Ø x depth: 500 x 750.
• Fully automatic, microprocessor control including 12 programs:
1-3 Solids
4-5 Waste destruction bags
6-7 Liquid waste
8-11 Liquid Media
12 Cleaning
• Integrated separate steam generator (no heating elements in sterilization chamber)
• Novel safety ring-lock closure system with lip seal
• Temperature and steam pressure up to 140°C / 4 bar absolute pressure, extendable to 150°C / 5 bar absolute pressure
• Thermal lock: door lock controlled by pressure and medium temperature according to Pressure Vessel Regulations
• Flexible PT-100 temperature sensor for reference vessel
• Medium temperature-controlled sterilization time
• Electronic pressure transducer for pressure and temperature control
• "Autofill" - Automatic demineralized water feed for steam generation
• Special program for waste destruction with pulsating heat-up period for improved ventilation of waste bags
• Start by clock / timer for programmed start time
• Steam exhaust condensation, water cooled, thermostatic controlled
• Common collector connection for all outlets
• Emptying valve
• Base plate for vessels, baskets etc.
• Validation port
• Prepared for subsequent printer installation
• Prepared for subsequent rapid cooling installation
• Prepared for subsequent installation of vacuum system
• Prepared for subsequent drying installation
• Safety cut of at low water level
• Safety cut of at excess temperature
VERTICAL FLOOR-STANDING AUTOCLAVES SYSTEC V-SERIES
The Systec V-Series of top-loading vertical autoclaves in 8 different sizes with 40 to 150 liters chamber volume is distinguished by its small footprint and high chamber capacity. Result: optimal loading capacity with most standard media bottles and Erlenmeyer flasks.
• Fully automatic, microprocessor control including 12 programs:
1-3 Solids
4-5 Waste destruction bags
6-7 Liquid waste
8-11 Liquid Media
12 Cleaning
• Integrated separate steam generator (no heating elements in sterilization chamber)
• Novel safety ring-lock closure system with lip seal
• Temperature and steam pressure up to 140°C / 4 bar absolute pressure, extendable to 150°C / 5 bar absolute pressure
• Thermal lock: door lock controlled by pressure and medium temperature according to Pressure Vessel Regulations
• Flexible PT-100 temperature sensor for reference vessel
• Medium temperature-controlled sterilization time
• Electronic pressure transducer for pressure and temperature control
• "Autofill" - Automatic demineralized water feed for steam generation
• Special program for waste destruction with pulsating heat-up period for improved ventilation of waste bags
• Start by clock / timer for programmed start time
• Steam exhaust condensation, water cooled, thermostatic controlled
• Common collector connection for all outlets
• Emptying valve
• Base plate for vessels, baskets etc.
• Validation port
• RS 232 interface for external data transfer
• Prepared for subsequent printer installation
• Prepared for subsequent rapid cooling installation
• Prepared for subsequent installation of vacuum system
• Prepared for subsequent drying installation
• Safety cut of at low water level
• Safety cut of at excess temperature