For disinfection of various infectious objects (household goods, 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, several types of disinfection chambers are distinguished. Consider the features, application and principle of operation of steam formalin chambers.
What it is?
Chambers in which the process of disinfection of things by the steam-air or steam-formalin method occurs are called steam-formalin. The active reagents here are steam, formaldehyde and air.
In the process of disinfection, formalin is neutralized in the steam-formalin chamber. Formaldehyde, which is adsorbed on the surface of things, penetrates into tissues due to steam, after which it dissolves in condensate and turns into formalin. In such chambers, disinfection can be carried out at lower temperatures (up to + 59 ° C), but the humidity should be at least 80%.
Steam is supplied to the chambers from below. In such devices, things that can go bad at high temperatures can be disinfected. It can be shoes, leather goods, furs or rubber things. Also in the cells you can disinfect linen (pillows, mattresses, things made of silk, oilcloth, velvet or nylon).
Scope of application
Disinfection is an important process for various medical and government agencies. This applies not only to instruments used in surgical procedures, but also to things. In addition, disinfection is required for archival documents, books, medical clothing and bedding. Since after each patient everything should not only be 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 guarantee not only cleanliness, but also safety.
The process of disinfecting things in such chambers can be carried out manually or semi-automatically. The design, as a rule, is made of stainless steel and has a long service life.
Technical characteristics and advantages of the steam-formalin chamber for sterilization
The steam-formalin disinfection chamber, operating on a steam-formalin mixture, allows disinfection at lower temperatures. It is used for those things that do not withstand thermal sterilization. In some medical institutions it is used for the treatment of contaminated instruments and their further storage.
The design of the camera consists of:
- two doors (one for loading, the second for unloading), which ensure tightness;
- shelves on which it is convenient to place objects;
- heating device, which is located below;
- protective grill.
In the upper plane of the heater there are ditches where formaldehyde solution is poured. A psychrometer and a thermometer are specially built in to control the entire process.
Advantages of the steam-formalin chamber:
- safety in compliance with norms and rules;
- tightness;
- the device is suitable for both disinfection and storage;
- high power sterilizing agent;
- ease of use (only one person can serve the camera).
Depending on the required technical parameters of the chamber working on formaldehyde, it can differ in volume, number of shelves inside, dimensions (portable or stationary models), sterilization time (within 24 hours) and the required amount of paraformaldehyde (about 10 g per sterilization process) .
It is important not to place such cameras in direct sunlight and in rooms without ventilation.
Principle of operation
For the disinfection process, steam-formalin chambers of different sizes are used. Their volume depends on the needs of the institution and can vary from 1.4 to 10 m 3 . 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 in the upper part of the structure. At the bottom of the clean compartment there are special ventilation openings and an exhaust pipe. Here is a steam ejector or fan that connects to the motor. A pressure gauge is installed on the steam line to control temperature and humidity - two thermometers (dry and wet).
On the floor are steam-formalin pipes through which the structure is filled. Underneath are heating batteries. The heating surface is small so that the temperature and humidity are not disturbed. A safety grille is installed above the pipes, and openings on the floor for the exit of condensate. The latest camera models have special retractable trolleys for ease of use. The camera is controlled by the unloading compartment.
Steam disinfection chamber
For the first time, such a decontamination chamber was used by Japanese doctors during the war at the beginning of the 20th century. Here, the influence of five factors was used: humidity, temperature, formalin, the time of their exposure and vortex movements inside the structure. The last condition was necessary for the heat to be distributed evenly and penetrate through all things. Initially, devices were used for a variety of things, while in large quantities. For example, in chambers 30 m 3 in size, up to 500 working sets per day can be disinfected.
Consider the features of the PFK-1 steam-formalin chamber from 68 L plexiglass:
- inside there are three shelves for convenient distribution of different things;
- mission - sterilization of a medical instrument, which is not subject to heat treatment, in medical institutions;
- design weight - 12 kg;
- disinfection time - 24 hours;
- paraformaldehyde changes once a month.
The instructions for the steam-formalin disinfection 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. Then the tool is placed on the shelves and the door is hermetically closed on the latch. The design should be placed in a well-ventilated area away from sunlight. The sterilizer is also periodically wiped with a solution of peroxide 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. Vapor-formalin chambers provide reliable sanitation of tools and sets of clothes or linen, while using low temperatures.