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Priorclave Manual 27125322-EN Issue 2
06/06/2012
up to category 5. Separate header tanks for each of these functions are provided allowing the
automatic water fill tank to be fed from a treated water supply, and the vacuum pump to be
fed from an untreated supply to economize on the use of treated water if required.
Considerations for the use of treated water are discussed later.
Autoclaves with Water Cooled Condensers and Water Jackets
For installations falling into lower fluid categories it will be possible to use mechanical means
to prevent back flow such as a verifiable single, or non-verifiable double check valve. For
higher fluid categories non-mechanical means such as break tanks must be applied. Due to the
pressure and flow rates required for the condensers to work effectively it is not practical to
provide header tanks locally to the autoclave. The condenser and or jacket will work more
effectively when more cooling water flow is achieved across the condenser, therefore the
more head of water that can be provided the better.
Arrangements to meet the back-flow prevention requirements will therefore need to be made
at a high level. If a water feed from a suitable header tank arrangement to satisfy the
regulations cannot be provided it will be necessary to take other measure such as the
provision of a break tank and pump arrangement locally to the autoclave.
General
All water supplies should be terminated on the wall to the rear of the autoclave, at a point
within one metre of the point of connection to the autoclave.
In hard water areas it will be necessary to use softened water for the supplies to the autoclave
to prevent scaling of the autoclave vessel and heating elements. Hard water can also reduce
the life span of liquid ring vacuum pumps and drain condensers when fitted, however the cost
of supplying treated water to these may be considered prohibitive, and if this is the case, then
a second water supply will be required. If the autoclave is to be connected to a distilled or de-
mineralised water supply care should be taken to guard against the corrosion of copper pipe-
work due to excessive purity of the water supply. The water level detection system of most
autoclaves is operated on a conductivity-based system, due to this feed water requires a
minimum conductivity level of 10-15 micro Seimens.
Autoclaves with an automatic water fill system require a DN15 water supply terminated in an
appliance tap with a suitable connector for a standard appliance hose.
Autoclaves with liquid ring vacuum pumps require a further DN15 water supply terminated in
a 1/2" BSP/DN15 compression fitting.
Autoclaves with drain condensers require a water supply for the condenser. The size of
connection for this will vary depending upon the specification for the individual autoclave. In
most cases a supply in DN20 will suffice, however in some cases expanding up from a DN15
supply locally in the area of the autoclave may not provide a sufficient water flow to reduce
the autoclave discharge to the desired temperature.
Consideration should be given to the discharge from the Vent and Safety Valve outlets,
which should be directed in such a way as to not cause a hazard. This will be determined by
the location of the autoclave.
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