Talk:Autoclave

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The description of the physics of an autoclave are absolutely horrible, I can't exactly make them better however but regardless, they are horrible - examples: "The evaporation process itself requires all the heat" It requries the heat energy, so I changed that

The higher the temperature, the higher the pressure of the vapor. The heat generated under pressure is called latent heat and has more penetrative power to squeeze through bacteria and even their dormant, heat-resistant form — the endospores.

My English skills aren't good enough to make the physics described in that proper, but I know that's wrong in English

Contents 1 Other uses 2 Latent Heat 3 Piercing 4 Stovetop Autoclave 5 Is there a low-cost substitute?

[edit] Other uses

I worked at a yarn plant that used a very large autoclave to set yarn. It was a huge horizontal cylinder approximately 15 feet long and 6 feet in diameter. Autoclaves are also used in the making of some liquers, I think. I'd add some info, but I don't know enough. PrometheusX303 13:10, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

All I know is that Autoclaves are used to like, sterilize jewellry sometimes.

[edit] Latent Heat

What does heating a liquid above its normal melting point has to do with latent heat, which deals with phase change? Since this isn't using heat with phase changes (directly), it isn't latent heat. We are only heating something under a different pressure which gives us a different boiling point.

From AS/NZS 4815:2006 "Steam is the most widely used agent for sterilization. In steam sterilization, the combination of heat and moisture, maintained at a pre-set temperature-pressure-time relationship, coagulates cell protein, efficiently killing the microorganisms. Its economy and lack of toxicity gives steam an advantage over other sterilization methods. The latent heat available is responsible for the fast destructive power that steam-under-pressure offers." xbgs351 27/3/07

[edit] Piercing

Autoclaves are commonly used in piercing shops to sterilize needles and jewelry before use, well, at least the good shops do. Apparently you can also cook in them??? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 142.55.24.22 (talk • contribs) 01:01, November 15, 2006.

Go ahead and add it. Not the cooking part, though. It's not an appropriate use. Better use a pressure cooker instead. Prometheus^-X303- 05:07, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Stovetop Autoclave

1. Have minimal temperature control. 2. Have only a very basic air removal system. 3. Can't measure or control sterilising time. 3. Do not have a large volume, even when compared to benchtop sterilisers. 4. Are unsuitable for wrapped/bagged instruments. 5. All surfaces are very hot, which presents a burn hazard. 5. Are not suitable for Australia/New Zealand and Europe. Commonly used in third world countries. It appears that they are still used in the USA, which imho is beyond belief. xbgs351 02/04/07

[edit] Is there a low-cost substitute?

Is there a low-cost substitute for an autoclave other than a pressure cooker? Kingturtle 14:03, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Disposable instruments. xbgs351