To disinfect all kinds of infectious objects (household items, medical instruments, linen, raw materials, semi-finished products and other products), a closed room with special equipment is used. Depending on the physical or chemical agents that are involved in the disinfection process, there are several types of disinfection chambers. Consider the features, application and principle of operation of steam-formalin chambers.
What is this?
Chambers in which the process of disinfection of things takes place according to the steam-air or steam-formalin method are called steam-formalin. Here, the active reagents are steam, formaldehyde and air.
During the disinfection process, formalin is neutralized in the steam-formalin chamber. Formaldehyde, which is adsorbed on the surface of things, penetrates into fabrics due to steam,after which it dissolves in the condensate and turns into formalin. In such chambers, disinfection can be carried out at lower temperatures (up to +59C), but the humidity must be at least 80%.
Steam is supplied to the chambers from below. In such devices, you can disinfect things that can deteriorate at high temperatures. It can be shoes, leather goods, furs or rubber things. It is also possible to disinfect linen in the cells (pillows, mattresses, things made of silk, oilcloth, velvet or nylon).
Scope of application
Disinfection is an important process for various medical and government institutions. This applies not only to the instruments used in surgical manipulations, but also to things. In addition, disinfection is required for archival documents, books, medical clothing and bed linen. Because after each patient, everything must be not only washed, but also disinfected.
For disinfection, steam-formalin chambers are used. They are used in medical and preventive institutions, in spas and hotel complexes. That is, in those places where there is a constant flow of people who need to be guaranteed not only cleanliness, but also safety.
The process of disinfecting things in such cells can be carried out manually or semi-automatically. The structure is usually made of stainless steel and has a long service life.
Technical characteristics and advantages of the formalin steam chamber forsterilization
Vapour-formalin disinfection chamber, powered by a vapor-formalin mixture, allows disinfection at lower temperatures. It is used for those things that do not withstand heat sterilization. In some medical institutions, it is used to process contaminated instruments and then store them.
The design of the chamber consists of:
- two doors (one for loading, one for unloading) that ensure tightness;
- shelves on which it is convenient to place items;
- heating device, which is located below;
- protective grille.
In the upper plane of the heater there are cuvettes where formaldehyde solution is poured. To control the entire process, a psychrometer and a thermometer are specially built in.
Advantages of the steam chamber:
- safety while following the rules and regulations;
- tightness;
- suitable for both disinfection and storage;
- high power sterilant;
- Ease of use (only one person can operate the camera).
Depending on the required technical parameters of the formaldehyde chamber, it may differ in volume, number of shelves inside, dimensions (portable or stationary models), sterilization time (within a day) and the required amount of paraformaldehyde (about 10 g for one sterilization process).
Important notplace such cameras in direct sunlight and in rooms without ventilation.
Working principle
Varoformalin chambers of various sizes are used for the disinfection process. Their volume depends on the needs of the institution and can vary from 1.4 to 10 m3. Steam supply to the structure from a centralized source of steam or an autonomous steam boiler.
The nozzle connected to the rubber hose is designed to spray formalin on the top of the structure. There are special ventilation holes and an exhaust pipe at the bottom of the clean compartment. Here is a steam ejector or a fan that is connected to the motor. A manometer is installed on the steam line to control temperature and humidity - two thermometers (dry and wet).
There are steam-formalin pipes on the floor through which the structure is filled. Under them are heating batteries. The heating surface is small so that the temperature regime and humidity are not disturbed. A safety grill is built in above the pipes, and there are holes on the floor for condensate to escape. In the latest models of cameras, special retractable carts are installed for ease of use. The camera is controlled from the side of the unloading compartment.
Disinfection steam chamber
The first such decontamination chamber was used by Japanese doctors during the war at the beginning of the 20th century. Here the influencefive factors: humidity, temperature, formalin, the time of their exposure and vortex movements inside the structure. The last condition was necessary so that the heat was distributed evenly and penetrated through all things. Initially, devices were used for a variety of things, while in large quantities. For example, in cells measuring 30 m3 up to 500 work kits per day can be disinfected.
Let's consider the features of the PFC-1 steam chamber made of plexiglass for 68 l:
- there are three shelves inside for easy distribution of different things;
- purpose - sterilization of a medical instrument that is not subject to heat treatment in medical institutions;
- structure weight - 12 kg;
- disinfection time - 24 hours;
- paraformaldehyde is changed once a month.
The instructions for the disinfection steam-formalin chamber say that the amount of paraformalin per load should be 50 kg. He falls asleep in a glass Petri dish, which does not close. Next, the tool is placed on the shelves and the door is hermetically sealed with a latch. The design should stand in a well-ventilated area away from sunlight. The sterilizer is also periodically wiped with a peroxide solution and detergent.
Conclusion
Disinfection occupies an important place in various institutions where there is a large flow of people and it is necessary to ensure the safety of using certain groups of things. Steam-formalin chambers provide reliable sanitation of instruments and sets of clothes or linen, usinglow temperatures.
