Autoclave installation significantly reduces costs at UK university

A new autoclave installation at York University is helping the laboratory reduce costs of sterilisation, with the university reporting a 92 per cent saving in salt requirements.

A Priorclave 450 litre autoclave has been installed within the plant research laboratory of York, cutting sterilisation costs significantly. With austerity seemingly becoming the word of the world, cutbacks and savings are welcomed in any industry, with laboratory equipment consistently being remodelled to save time and money.

The new autoclave at York University is a prime example of this. The machine has been installed in the plant research lab of the university’s Biology Department, and has been fitted with a water softener base since the university is in a hard-water area.

They have also been able to run the more advanced Priorclave 450 litre autoclave against other systems that run in different departments. Side-by-side analysis showed that there was a 56 per cent overall saving using the more advanced technology, with savings being chiefly generated from the cost of water supply and disposal, which amount to a reduction of 88 per cent and 89 per cent respectively.

As well as saving costs, the system also allows the university to cut its green footprint. With less energy consumption than traditional methods as well as a 90 per cent reduction in water usage, sterilisation is achieved with far less impact on the environment.

The efficiency of the product stems primary from a vacuum system for air removal which happens at the start of the process. This has an evacuation capability down to approximately 300mb absolute. When combined with heating stages, this leads to faster and better steam penetration of the load. The evaporation cycle is also much more efficient, and hence more environmentally friendly, because assisted cooling rapidly reduced the pressure in the chamber.

These additionally features have allowed York University's plant research laboratory to improve efficiency, reduce costs and reduce its environmental impact.

Posted by Ben Evans