Scoping out Industrial Autoclaves

An autoclave is a pressurized vessel that applies pressure and heat to a load placed inside of it. There are dry heat autoclaves or manual and automatic steam autoclaves. The advantage of using an autoclave is that it can reach temperatures higher than boiling water alone, so it can kill not only bacteria but also bacterial spores, which tend to be resistant. Many autoclaves are designed to sterilize a variety of equipment. They use the saturated steam concentrated under high pressure to effectively sterilize materials.

Autoclave manufacturers design the units so that heat and pressure is applied in a way that can produce a number of benefits besides sterilizing equipment. Autoclave manufacturers sell autoclaves to many technical industries. Industrial Autoclaves have been manufactured specifically for composites curing, laboratory use, glass laminating, production, and other uses.

ASC Process Systems is a leading manufacturer of several types of Industrial Autoclaves and specialized process equipment. ASC Process Systems is also the proud manufacturer of one of the largest autoclaves in the world. The gigantic 30 ft. in diameter x 76 ft. long autoclave was designed for Vought Aircraft in Charleston, South Carolina. In July 2006 the huge autoclave entered production for fabrication of fuselage sections 47 and 48 of the new Boeing 787 airliner. With a max temperature of 450 F, and a max pressure of 150 psig, it weighs over 1,000,000 lbs.

There are so many things autoclaves can be used for and they are designed to meet each individual customer's application. However, processing by autoclaves is far more costly than oven heating. An externally fired heater can bring fluid to temperatures of 600 F (316 C) to 800 F (427 C) in some cases. This can be very costly. The most cost-effective heating options, over the full service life of the autoclave, will be either a high-pressure steam boiler or gas-firing using an internal or external heat exchanger. There is a system called the Compression Reduction System. This system Provides compression energy savings of up to 40% per load, and up to $30,000 cost savings per year per autoclave. It also reduces compressor maintenance.

The Econoclave is a smaller scale production unit, also made by ASC Process Systems. The Econoclave is used for food processing, cement manufacturing, composite bonding, waste treatment, vulcanizing, composite curing, glass, and laminating. This design includes many features that improve air-flow to the parts, reduce autoclave size, reduce energy cost, reduce equipment cost, and reduce cost of operation.

Industrial Autoclaves vary according to size as well as the functions offered. This means the price tag will vary, as well as the cost to run each autoclave. It is best to do as much research as possible when looking for an autoclave to provide a particular function. The cost will depend largely upon its diameter rather than its length. Some of the features of an autoclave allow a wide range of options, and some of these can affect price dramatically. For the best information, consult with an Industrial Autoclave manufacturing company such as ASC Process Systems to determine what your particular autoclave needs are.