Provision Of Space And Access For Accessories - Priorclave Q63 Operation & Maintenance Manual

Priorclave Manual 27125322-EN Issue 2 06/06/2012
Floor loading
A 700 litre autoclave weighs in the region of 1000kg. Particularly in the case of refurbishment
of an older building it will be necessary to consider the strength of the floor on which the
autoclave is stood. It is sometimes, although rarely necessary to fill the autoclave vessel with
water at some stage during its life span in order to conduct a hydrostatic pressure test. It may
be prudent to take account of this additional weight when considering the floor loading. In
normal use larger autoclaves can be loaded with considerable additional weight.
Extractor Hoods
An extractor hood fitted above the autoclave will eliminate any remaining difficulties related
to steam emission, and will also be beneficial in reducing heat build-up. Autoclaves used for
processing waste materials may produce unpleasant odours, the autoclaving of waste plastic
ware may also produce potentially harmful fumes, the effects of these will also be minimised
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by an extractor hood. An air flow rate of 0.5M /sec is often specified for a medium sized
autoclave, although this should be considered along with the hood size. It is possible to
provide an output from the autoclave to boost fan speed immediately prior to door opening.
The minimum practical size of extractor hood for an autoclave is around 1 metre square. In
the case of top loading autoclaves this should be positioned directly above the autoclave. In
the case of front loading autoclaves the hood should extend beyond the front of the autoclave
by approximately 700mm. This will be sufficient to minimise steam and fume emission into
the work area, but it may also be desirable to extend the area of the hood to cover the entire
autoclave to reduce the amount of heat released into the room. In the case of direct steam
heated autoclaves it may also be advisable to arrange the hood or incoming steam supply in
such a way as to cover the incoming steam supply pipe work and reducing valves etc. This will
further assist in the elimination of heat build-up within the work area.

Provision of Space and Access for Accessories

Autoclaves with drain condensers
Drain condensers are fitted to the rear panel of front loading autoclaves, and require
sufficient space to be allowed for pipe-work to enter the condenser. Drain condensers for top
loading autoclaves may be supplied as separate units if there is not sufficient space available
in the autoclave location and in such cases consideration should be given to where the
condenser is to be located as it may not be practical to site this to the rear of the autoclave.
Drain condensers may operate at high temperature depending on final settings, and
effectiveness of the cooling water supply. Consideration should be given to heat hazards when
deciding on the location of a condenser.
When all pipe-work is complete the condenser will occupy a space of approximately 300 x
500mm.
Autoclaves with exhaust filtration
The location of exhaust filters will vary according to the individual specification of the
autoclave. In the case of rectangular vessel autoclave the filter is usually fitted inside the
autoclave vessel, and in such cases further consideration of the filter location is not necessary.
In the case of top loading and smaller front loading autoclaves it is not possible to locate the
filter inside the vessel due to space constraints and limitations of currently available filter
mediums. It is then necessary for the filter to be located in a separate pressure vessel outside
of the autoclave. External exhaust filter housings are located to the upper rear of the
autoclave, and protrude from the left-hand side as viewed from the front of the autoclave by
up to 200mm. In normal circumstances the filter housing will fit into the 300mm space already
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