P.K. Kitchen

Principle of Autoclave: 

• Before the invention of the autoclave in the 19th century, medical instruments were sterilized by immersion in boiled water. 
• But some microbes survive the process, so hotter equipment is needed to solve the problem. 
• Steam is an ideal medium. 
• Steam is pressurized in an autoclave and becomes hotter than boiling water, enough to kill heat-resistant microorganisms.
• The principle of operation of the autoclave is to heat water to a temperature of over 100 degrees. Under normal conditions, this cannot be achieved, because. when this temperature is reached, the water does not heat up further but simply evaporates.
• When the water reaches a temperature of 90 degrees, it begins to evaporate, but because the device is sealed, the steam does not come out.
• As a result of the conversion of moisture into gas, excess pressure is created. At some point, evaporation stops.
• With an increase in pressure inside the vessel, the temperature of the water also rises (up to 300-500 degrees in some autoclaves).
• At a temperature of 121 degrees, sterilization of products begins - the destruction of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even spores.