The original analogue of the autoclave appeared back in 1795 in France. A prize was even announced to the one who would invent a reliable food preservation agent. It is connected with the fact that in those days the issue of food and human survival was in the first place. One confectioner under the name of Upper François won. He put food in a special container and boiled it in ordinary water. Thus, the first autoclave for home (domestic) use was obtained.

In 1880, another Frenchman, Charles Chamberland, created a real autoclave, in which the necessary pressure was created when temperature regime. The use of this invention was limited, and became widespread only among chemical scientists and physicians, who were faced with the issue of sterilizing instruments.

In 1953 (only two hundred years later) the autoclave received further development. Lagarde has developed a unique autoclave for use in the textile industry - using the device to dye fabrics. And in 1978, Lagarde released the first professional autoclave for sterilizing food.

The USSR made a significant contribution to the development of autoclaves - a device was developed at the Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis high pressure. This gave impetus to the appearance of resin, polymer materials and synthetic oils.

At this time, there is a division of autoclaves into several branches - industrial devices, household (home) and medical devices appeared.

A few years later, literally in 1988, an autoclave appeared for home canning, which worked with the help of electrical energy. That is, absolutely anyone could connect the autoclave to the mains and cook food accordingly right at home.

A modern autoclave is an apparatus that is made in the form of a sealed chamber and is used to process material under pressure above atmospheric. Under such conditions, the reaction is accelerated and a higher quality product is obtained.

1. When used in medicine, high-pressure autoclaves are used to sterilize instruments. If the device works without pressurization, then it is called a drying cabinet or sterilizer.
2. For chemical reactions use special devices, which are called chemical reactors. But in its essence and principle of operation, it is still the same autoclave.
3. The autoclave is widely used at home - with its help it is possible to both prepare canned food and sterilize food. And by installing a distiller, you will get purified water for cooling systems Vehicle and battery charge.

Design features

At present, autoclaves are made from especially strong alloyed steels of various grades: and 20K, 06KhN28, 16GS, 12Kh18N9T, 09G2S. The hull is constructed by welding or riveting links with convex bottoms. Special openings (lids) are made in the case through which it is convenient to load materials. Steam is supplied through the fitting to the pipe, and condensate is removed using a drain valve.

A modern industrial autoclave is equipped with a wide variety of devices: remote, external and internal heat exchangers, electric heaters, various other heating components, agitators (pneumatic, electromagnetic or mechanical), various devices regulation and measurement of pressure and temperature, other control and measuring sensors.

Main characteristics

in diameter this device, as a rule, varies from 1.2 meters to 8 meters. The length can reach large sizes- from 2 to 40 meters! It is mounted on special supports that allow the metal to lengthen (expand) when heated. To avoid heat loss, the casing is made of special thermal insulation. Inside the autoclave there are rails with trolleys - this is the way products for sterilization are fed.

Changing the temperature regime and pressure occurs with the help of copper or platinum thermal resistance transducers.

In general, an industrial high pressure autoclave is a complex technological device.

Design differences

The main parameters of industrial autoclaves can be different: the capacity varies from a few centimeters to hundreds of meters, it is possible to work under pressure up to 150 MN / m2 and temperatures up to 500 degrees Celsius. The differences are due to the fact that such devices are used in a wide variety of industries:

• construction- production and release building materials;
• food- sterilization and food preparation;
• chemical- production of various dyes, herbicides;
• rubber- vulcanization of products;
• metallurgy- recovery of precious and non-ferrous metals.

Different autoclaves are used for each individual process. For example, tunnel and dead-end units are involved in construction. They are a pipe three to six meters long and fifteen to twenty meters in diameter. Tunnel systems are closed with a lid on both sides, and dead-end systems - only on one side.

In the field of chemistry - glandless installations that do not require additional sealing. Such devices are equipped with a unique shielded electric motor. The rotor is protected by a screen made of a special non-magnetic material.

And in Food Industry there are a wide variety of models in size, principle of operation, both horizontal and vertical installation. In horizontal units, it is possible to sterilize products not only in rigid containers, but also in semi-rigid or even soft containers. This is due to the fact that back pressure is created inside the unit in relation to each specific product package.

The latest developments are equipped multilevel systems protection systems automatic shutdown and locks. A special “protective jacket” is used, which reliably protects the seams and body materials from the influence of the coolant.

Additional equipment

Autoclaves are produced in any size and configuration, both in conventional and explosion-proof versions. Parameters are selected according to the wishes and requirements of the customer. It happens and non-standard equipment for the chemical and oil industries.

The units are equipped with the following equipment:

• ventilation system;
• heating blocks;
• vacuum pumps;
• other systems for the regulation and control of vacuum, pressure, temperature and time.

The sale of industrial autoclaves today is carried out in a wide range of choices - the needs of absolutely any customer will be satisfied.

The principle of operation of the device

After selecting a sterilization cycle, a vacuum is created inside the chamber with periodic heating. Thus, air is completely removed from the working chamber along with condensate. In accordance with the given parameters, the operator creates the necessary indicators of temperature and pressure. This is the so-called sterilization phase.

AT normal conditions when the water temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it stops heating further. If the water boils for a long time, then the moisture is transformed into steam. The process of intense evaporation begins. Steam is the same gas that creates excess pressure in the chamber. In this case, the heat has an increased penetrating power, and therefore completely penetrates the structure of microorganisms, destroying them.

Modern industrial autoclaves use the vacuum function, which implies the removal of oxygen in several cycles. Thanks to this technique, the sterilization process is many times faster with the preservation of all useful properties substances.

The pressure is then released and the drying phase begins. And the remaining moisture instantly evaporates at high temperatures. The sterilization cycle is fully automated by the machine, so there is no human error.

But the sterilization cycle can be controlled using the electronic touch screen. It also displays the parameters of the current program. Using the display, it is possible not only to select the autoclave cycle, but also to transfer the unit to the “standby” mode.

Achievements of scientific progress make it possible to manufacture industrial autoclaves of a wide variety of models, but the principle of operation of some differs little from others. In industry, autoclaves are used, both water-cooled and air-cooled.

1. Air cooling means cooling with a jet of cold air.
2. Water cooling consists in the action of water, which circulates in the system with the help of a pump.

Autoclave operation

Pressure and temperature chambers are actively used in hydrometallurgy, chemical, rubber, light, construction industry, in medicine. Especially when creating products from carbon fiber.

But autoclaves have been actively used in the food industry. Such devices are equipped with reliable multi-level protection and a special “jacket” that protects the main (external) material from the effects of a thermal carrier.

Around the world, about 1.5-2 million industrial autoclaves are constantly in operation.

Unit advantages:

• automation and modernization production processes;
• ensuring perfect sterility - microorganisms and infections are completely destroyed;
• saving electrical energy;
• the ability to operate in various fields and with the most a variety of materials;
• high quality and reliability of sterilization;
• autonomy and safety of the process.

It is for these reasons that autoclaves have become so widespread.

Variety of autoclaves

An autoclave is either a fully enclosed vessel or with a lid, designed to carry out technical processes, which are necessary for the processing of materials by pressure and high temperature. Optionally, it can be equipped with pneumatic, electromagnetic or mechanical agitators. If necessary, it is equipped with remote, external or internal heat exchangers and other devices for measuring liquid level, pressure, temperature, and so on.

Industrial autoclaves are classified according to design features, type of heating, purpose, volume, pressure, lid design.

By design type

All autoclaves can be divided into two large blocks - vertical units, horizontal, rotating, swinging and column. Each of these types has both its obvious advantages and some disadvantages.

1. Vertical. The water medium is heated with the help of special heating elements. heating elements located inside the camera at the bottom of the device. It is characterized by a compact structure. It has been widely used in the laboratory.
2. Horizontal. The most commonly used gas heating, which is characterized by a minimum heating time and greater flexibility of operation. This unit is usually used in industry for processing composite materials. Among the advantages of a gas horizontal autoclave, it is worth highlighting the ease of installation, small dimensions, and there is no need to equip a diathermal heating system. The costs of an electric autoclave are slightly higher. However, technology does not stand still - it already exists horizontal systems with a spiral energy-saving heat exchanger. At a price, a spiral heat exchanger will cost several times more than its gas counterpart. Payback periods are much higher.
3. Rotating. Suitable for handling suspended solids or mushy, namely for leaching mineral concentrates various metals and rud. It looks like a sealed vessel with a removable lid. The latter is attached to the body with gasket and studs. Mounted on the outside of the cover stop valve with multilayer filter.
4. rocking. These devices allow the mixing of substances in such packages, for which sterilization in conventional autoclaves is considered unacceptable.
5. columnar. Commonly used to create alumina from bauxite. This unit allows you to simplify the labor and time costs in such a process.

By working volume

There are construction and chemical units with a capacity of hundreds cubic meters. For example, such high-pressure systems are used to produce bricks. There are also food (capacity - 5-100 liters) and laboratory autoclaves (0.25-5 liters).

By pressure

Devices of high and low pressure. The former include industrial autoclaves, while the latter include medical and food devices.

By arrangement of lids

Materials are loaded through special hatches, which are closed with lids. Tunnel autoclaves use two lids, and dead end autoclaves use one. The latter option is more widely used due to its structural simplicity.

By appointment

According to their purpose, industrial autoclaves can be divided into the following types:

1. food- used for food processing and canning.
2. Chemical- usually work with nominal pressure under 15-25 atmospheres, but there are modifications under 100 atmospheres. They are divided into laboratory and classical industrial ones.
3. Construction- are used for the production of the same brick or more complex structures by the type of triplex, carbon, kevlar.
4. Medical- are used for sterilization of tools and materials.

According to European standard EN 13060

Autoclaves are divided into the following three classes:

• "AT"- are intended for sterilization of any objects, including fabrics, both porous and hollow, and massive. The most functional devices.
• "S"- are involved in the medical field. More economical systems, in contrast to class "B". They are considered the most in demand, due to the provision of an acceptable level of sterilization.
• "N"- in terms of application, the most limited class: used for processing unpackaged items that do not contain gaps and voids.

Modern industrial gas and electric autoclaves are complex plants with high performance rates.

NIPKI PTO "Konservprod" offers the manufacture of industrial autoclaves, the quality of which has been proven by no production in the Russian Federation and other countries.

An autoclave is an apparatus for steam sterilization under pressure and at temperatures above 100°C. The autoclave is used for sterilization, linen for operations, tools, utensils for, for growing microorganisms, etc. The principle of operation of the autoclave is based on an increase in the boiling point of water with increasing pressure (at a pressure of 1 atm, the boiling point of water is 99.1 ° C, and at a pressure of 2 atm - 119.6C). Autoclaves are stationary and portable, horizontal and vertical. The water in the autoclave is heated to form steam using electrical energy or the energy of burning gas, kerosene.

The main parts of the autoclave (Fig. 1): casing, water vapor chamber, sterilization chamber, cover with rubber gasket. Water vapor chamber made of special high quality; steel is designed to produce steam. The material to be sterilized is placed in the sterilization chamber. A massive lid with a rubber gasket tightly closes the water vapor chamber.

The cover is attached to the body with bolts and clamped on top with wing nuts. The outer casing protects the autoclave from mechanical damage.

In modern electric autoclaves (Fig. 2), the heated steam supply system is separated from the sterilization chamber. Steam is supplied to the sterilization chamber through a branch pipe from a kettle equipped with an electric heating element with a heating degree regulator.

Fittings are attached to the autoclave: a pressure gauge with a siphon tube and a three-way cock, a water-meter glass tube for measuring the water level in the water-steam chamber of the autoclave, safety valve to prevent excessive pressure build-up in the autoclave, air and drain cocks to remove air at the beginning of sterilization and to remove condensate from the sterilization chamber.

The personnel operating the autoclave must be trained in special courses. The Qualification Commission, in the presence of a boiler supervision inspector, issues certificates for the right to operate the autoclave. At inept work the autoclave may explode.

It is forbidden to use the autoclave if: a) the term for inspection of the autoclave by a heating engineer has expired; b) at least one defective clamping bolt is found; c) at least one lug of the autoclave lid is damaged; d) the pressure gauge, safety valve or glass of the water meter tube is damaged;
e) the autoclave was not cleaned from scale and dirt within the prescribed period;
e) a boiler leak is noticed. Before using the autoclave, it is necessary to check its completeness and study the instructions supplied with the autoclave. See also .

Rice. 1. Portable autoclave (section): 1 - cover; 2 - cover shirt; 3 - umbrella; 4 - holes for steam; 5 - casing; 6 - water vapor chamber; 7 - sterilization chamber; 8 - drain valve; 9 and 11 - steam taps; 10 - water meter glass tube; 12 - funnel with a tap; 13 - pressure gauge; 14 - safety valve.

Autoclave - an apparatus for carrying out various processes when heated and under pressure above atmospheric. Under these conditions, the reaction is accelerated and the product yield is increased. When used in chemistry or for carrying out chemical reactions, the name chemical reactor is used. When used in medicine for sterilization at high pressure and temperature - only an autoclave. When sterilization is carried out at high temperature but without pressure, the term sterilizer or drying cabinet. It was invented by Denis Papin in 1679.

Varieties of autoclaves

Autoclaves are: rotating, swinging, horizontal, vertical and column. The autoclave is a vessel either closed or with an opening lid. If necessary, they are equipped with internal, external or remote heat exchangers, mechanical, electromagnetic or pneumatic mixing devices and instrumentation for measuring and regulating pressure, temperature, liquid level, etc.

Characteristics of autoclaves

The design and basic parameters of an industrial autoclave are diverse, the capacity is from several tens of cm³ to hundreds of m³, they are designed to operate under pressure up to 150 MPa (1500 kgf/cm²) at temperatures up to 500 °C. For chemical industries sealless autoclaves with a shielded electric motor that do not require sealing are promising.

The rotor of this electric motor is mounted directly on the stirrer shaft and covered with a sealed thin-walled screen made of non-magnetic material that does not prevent the penetration of magnetic lines of force from the motor stator to the rotor.

In the production of building materials, tunnel or dead-end autoclaves are used. Outwardly, they are a pipe 3-6 m in diameter and 15-20 m in length, closed with a lid with a bayonet lock (dead end on one side, tunnel on both sides).

Rails for trolleys with products are located along the length of the autoclave. The autoclaves are equipped with pipelines for saturated steam inlet, waste steam bypass to another autoclave, steam release to the atmosphere or to a heat exchanger, and for condensate drainage.

In the food industry, vertical and horizontal autoclaves are used in a wide range of varieties, sizes and principles of operation. For example, in horizontal autoclaves for the food industry, the necessary counterpressure can be created in relation to each individual product package, which makes it possible to sterilize products not only in rigid containers (glass jars, tin cans), but also in soft and semi-rigid packaging.

Application of autoclaves

Autoclaves are used in chemical industry(production of herbicides, organic intermediates and dyes, in synthesis processes); in hydrometallurgy (leaching followed by recovery from solutions of non-ferrous and precious metals, rare elements); in the rubber industry (vulcanization of technical products); in the food industry (sterilization, pasteurization of products [including canned food], cooking); in the building materials industry. Autoclaves are widely used in medicine. Also when creating products from carbon fiber, to give them solid shapes.

Autoclave protective jacket - a device that protects the seams and the main material of the reactor vessel from the effects of coolant.

Autoclaves have been widely used in the food industry. Modern autoclave cooking systems are equipped with multi-stage protection mechanisms, special locks and automatic shutdown systems. To date, about 1.5 million autoclaves are constantly used for these purposes around the world.

How the system works

Under normal conditions, heating water above the boiling point is not possible. As soon as the temperature reaches 100 °C, the water stops heating up. This is due to the intense evaporation of water during its heating. If the water boils for a long time, then it completely turns into steam.

When water or liquid is boiled in an autoclave, the boiling point rises. As soon as the temperature of the soup or puree reaches 90 °C, intensive evaporation begins. Water vapor, being essentially a gas, creates excess pressure in combination with temperature, which causes the evaporation to stop. The higher the temperature, the higher the pressure in the system. The heat generated by increasing pressure is called latent heat and has a great penetrating power into the structure of microorganisms, destroying them even in a dormant state - in spores.

A similar process is easily achievable in the preparation of solid non-cavernous foods. In case of preparation of spongy, cavernous products, a system with deep tank vacuum should be chosen. The residual oxygen content can help protect bacteria from destruction by creating thermal insulation for their shells.

Modern autoclaves use fractional vacuum, which removes oxygen in several cycles, providing 100% steam penetration during sterilization and homogenization of the product.

Autoclave cooking allows you to cook dishes many times faster, while maintaining all the nutritional properties of the product.

Pressure

High pressure steam cooking is the most nutritious cooking method. The high pressure releases natural natural juices from the product, allowing you to cook meals at high temperatures in your own juice. High-pressure cooking allows damaged tissues to be "repaired" in vacuum-packaged or previously frozen foods.

Steam

Superheated steam generated at high pressure by elevated temperatures allows cooking 3 to 10 times faster. High temperature steam treatment allows you to cook without salt, with a minimum of oil, sugar, flavors and flavor enhancers, with less aging and drying while maintaining fresh taste.

Nutrients

Pressure cooking preserves all the nutritional elements of the food. Since food is cooked in an airless environment and very quickly, the minimum amount of vitamins, liquids, minerals, salts is digested during the boiling process.

And lat. clavis - constipation, valve), a sealed apparatus designed to carry out various processes (product processing, raw materials, products, etc.) when heated and under pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure. Depending on the scope and purpose, autoclaves differ in design, equipment, capacity of the apparatus, and the creation of a temperature regime. A wide variety of autoclave models are produced for various industries, however, according to the basic principles of functioning, they differ little from each other.

Principle of operation

In an autoclave, to increase the temperature and create pressure, an aqueous medium is used, which fills the interwall space (water vapor chamber). After selecting the technological (working) cycle, a preliminary fractionated vacuum with periodic heating is created in the working chamber of the autoclave, i.e. effective removal air and condensate in the working chamber. When heated, water vapor enters the chamber, increasing the pressure and temperature in it in accordance with the specified parameters, and the sterilization phase begins. High blood pressure in the autoclave compensates for the thermal expansion of the product. Such conditions make it possible to accelerate the reaction, as well as to increase the yield of the product. At the end of the sterilization exposure in the autoclave chamber, the pressure is released and the stage of vacuum pulsating drying of the products begins, and the remaining moisture instantly evaporates at high temperature and negative pressure.

Depending on the nature of the work, autoclaves are equipped with internal, external or remote heat exchangers, mechanical, electromagnetic or pneumatic mixing devices, various devices for controlling the temperature, pressure, liquid level and regulating parameters. In industry, autoclaves are used with water (water in the system circulates with a pump) and air (cooling occurs with a jet of cold air flow) cooling.

Sterilization cycle management, as well as display of cycle parameters, is carried out using an interactive electronic touch screen located on the front panel autoclave. Using the control elements located on the panel (buttons, smooth regulators, etc.), the operator selects the cycle, sets the parameters, and also has the ability to put the autoclave into standby mode.

Autoclave design

Modern industrial autoclaves are complex high-tech devices with high productivity. By design, autoclaves are vertical, horizontal, rotating, swinging and columned. The autoclave has the form of a vessel (chamber, cylinder), which during operation is closed with specially fitted spherical lids, which ensure its complete tightness, since the product is heated under pressure to high temperatures in it.

AT vertical autoclaves(characterized by a compact design) the water medium is heated mainly by means of special tubular electric heaters(heating elements) located inside the lower part of the autoclave chamber. Such autoclaves are widely used for laboratory use. AT horizontal autoclaves(fig.) more commonly used gas heating, which is characterized by a minimum heating time and greater flexibility in operation. Such autoclaves are used, as a rule, in industry for the processing of composite materials. This is the best way classic autoclave, as it has a simple installation, occupies a small area and does not require a diathermic heating system. In addition, process costs heat treatment the products of such an autoclave are significantly lower than when using an electric autoclave. There are models of a horizontal autoclave and with a spiral heat exchanger, which are an example of energy-saving technologies. A spiral heat exchanger allows you to work with any product, but its cost is much higher than a gas one, in addition, it also has a long payback period.Rotary autoclavesused to work with suspended (suspended, suspended) solid or mushy substances (for leaching mineral concentrates of various metals and ores). The autoclave has the form of a sealed vessel with a removable lid, which is attached to the body with a sealing gasket and studs. A shut-off valve with a multilayer filter is mounted outside the cover.Rocking autoclavesallow mixing of substances in packages for which sterilization in conventional autoclaves is considered unacceptable.Column autoclavesusually used to create alumina from bauxite (allow to reduce labor and time costs in the process of obtaining them).

Autoclaves are made of high-quality steels, aluminum and other metals, which are often coated with chemically resistant materials (enamel, fluoroplastics). The hull is constructed by welding or riveting links with convex bottoms. Special openings (covers) are made in the case through which it is convenient to load materials. Steam is supplied to the perforated pipe through a fitting, and condensate is removed through a drain valve. In electric autoclaves, the heated steam supply system is separated from the working chamber. Steam is supplied to the chamber through a branch pipe from a boiler equipped with an electric heating element with a heating degree regulator. To avoid large heat losses, the outer surfaces of the autoclave are covered with thermal insulation, which contributes to the intensification of the technological process.

The design and basic parameters of an industrial autoclave are varied: capacity from several tens of cubic centimeters to cubic meters; designed to work under pressure up to 150 MPa (1500 kgf/cm²) at temperatures up to 500 °C. As a rule, modern industrial autoclaves are from 1.2 m to 7.6 m in diameter, and from 1.9 m to 40 m in length. degrees.

Application of autoclaves

Autoclaves are used for scientific research(laboratory autoclaves), in medicine, biology, metallurgy, chemical, rubber, food industries, in the production of building materials.

The main part of the autoclaves used in medicine and biology and, - a hermetically sealed double-walled high-pressure tank. If the sterilization process is carried out without exposure to high pressure, then the term sterilizer or drying cabinet is used. Medical autoclaves are used to sterilize surgical dressings and instruments, utensils and some devices for growing microorganisms, disinfecting infected material, destroying cultures of pathogens, when creating products from carbon fiber, to give them solid shapes, etc. chamber) is filled with distilled water. When heated, water vapor enters the sterilization chamber, increasing the pressure and temperature in it (above 100 ° C).

In metallurgy (hydrometallurgy, see also Autoclave leaching) with the help of autoclaves, metal solutions are cleaned from impurities and the process of restoring precious and rare earth metals after leaching from prepared solutions. The volume of the apparatus can vary from tens of cubic millimeters (laboratory impulse autoclaves) to several hundred cubic meters (horizontal autoclaves for the oxidation of Ni-concentrates). For aggressive liquids, stainless steel autoclaves are used, as well as apparatus lined with corrosion and heat-resistant coatings or tiles. Cylindrical or spherical autoclaves operating at 260 °C and a pressure of 6 MPa are used, as well as “pipe-in-pipe” type autoclave installations (a coolant is supplied to the outer pipe, a heated mixture is supplied to the inner one), operating at a temperature of less than 300 °C.

AT chemical industry autoclaves are used in the production of herbicides, organic intermediates and dyes, in synthesis processes. For carrying out various chemical reactions, this apparatus is called chemical reactor m. If it is necessary to mix the product, autoclaves with glandless agitators and a shielded electric motor that do not require sealing are used.

AT rubber industry autoclaves are used to vulcanize or cure many rubber or plastic products.

AT Food Industry autoclaves are used for sterilization, pasteurization of products (including canned food), food preparation, etc. Vertical and horizontal autoclaves of a wide range of varieties, sizes and principles of operation are used. For example, in horizontal autoclaves for the food industry, the necessary counterpressure can be created in relation to each individual product package, which makes it possible to sterilize products not only in rigid containers (glass, iron), but also in soft and semi-rigid packaging.

Production of building materials c, in particular silicate, is based on the hydrothermal synthesis of calcium hydrosilicates, which is carried out in an autoclave reactor in a saturated steam environment with a pressure of 0.8–3 MPa and a temperature of 175–200 °C. AT this production a large amount of work is the process of obtaining lime for the raw mix. The technological process of lime production includes the following operations: mining lime stone in quarries, crushing and sorting it into fractions, roasting in mine rotary and other kilns, crushing or grinding lump lime (obtaining quicklime). Obtaining the raw mixture is carried out in two ways: drum and silo, which differ from each other in the preparation of a lime-sand mixture.

Today, almost all elements of buildings and structures (panels, floor slabs, elements of stairs, etc.) can be made of reinforced silicate concrete, which is almost as good as reinforced concrete in its properties, and thanks to the use of local raw materials and industrial waste, it costs 15 -20% cheaper than similar reinforced concrete elements on Portland cement. Aerated concrete and foam concrete are produced on modern autoclave plants. They are widely used in the construction of commercial and residential buildings. for various purposes and floors. Aerated concrete and foam concrete can be used for both load-bearing structure, and for interior partitions and as jumpers. The autoclave method for the manufacture of aerated concrete and foam concrete is the main one, since the autoclave creates optimal conditions for hardening the mixture, and the use of a controlled autoclave process makes it possible to obtain aerated concrete and foam concrete with specified technical characteristics.

They also make cellular concrete, silicate blocks and panels, facing, thermal insulation materials and other products. Autoclaves are used for the manufacture of film triplex. When using autoclave technology, improved optical characteristics glass, its moisture resistance increases, etc. In the production of triplex, tunnel or dead-end autoclaves are used. Externally, they are a pipe 3–6 m in diameter and 15–20 m in length, closed with a lid with bayonet closures (dead end on one side, tunnel on both sides). Rails for trolleys with products are located along the length of the autoclave. The autoclaves are equipped with pipelines for saturated steam inlet, waste steam bypass to another autoclave, steam release to the atmosphere or to a heat exchanger, and for condensate drainage.

History reference

prototype modern autoclave was created by D. Papen in 1680 a medical apparatus for sterilization (it was carried out at high temperature, but without pressure above atmospheric pressure), the so-called. sterilizer or dryer. In 1795, the French confectioner F. Appert invented a way to store food supplies. He packed the products in a special container and boiled them in ordinary water; thus the first autoclave for home (domestic) use was obtained. In 1879, the Frenchman Ch. Chamberlain created a real autoclave, in which the necessary pressure was created with an increase in temperature. The invention was distributed exclusively among chemists and physicians, who were faced with the issue of sterilizing instruments.

The prototype of the modern autoclave used in chemical technology is the apparatus created by V. N. Ipatiev in 1904. In construction, the method of making silicate (lime-sand) bricks in an autoclave was invented in Germany in 1880 by the scientist V. Michaelis. In Russia, autoclave devices for the production of lime-sand blocks, fibrolite, facing slabs appeared in the 1930s. Until the 1950s the only kind of silicate autoclave products were silicate brick and small stones from cellular silicate concrete. However, thanks to the work of Russian scientists, for the first time in the world, the production of large-sized silicate-concrete autoclave products for prefabricated building. The possibility of forming a stone-like product in an autoclave was established at the end of the 19th century, but the mass production of silicate products, parts and structures, especially of the concrete type, was first organized in our country. The technology of their manufacture is mechanized and largely automated, which provides cheaper products compared to cement materials and products. Effective research in this direction was carried out by P. I. Bozhenov, A. V. Volzhensky, P. P. Budnikov, Yu.

In 1953, the Lagarde company developed an autoclave for use in the textile industry (it was used to dye fabrics). In 1988, a home canning autoclave appeared that operated by connecting to the home electrical network.

Many people think that an autoclave is a device designed solely for the sterilization of medical instruments. However, the scope of such a device is much wider.

The structure and principle of operation of the autoclave

The invention of the autoclave belongs to the Frenchman Danny Papin. It was a real breakthrough in science. Since then, the device has been used in many industries: in construction, medicine, as well as in the chemical and rubber industries. Currently, the apparatus is widely used in the production of food products. What does he represent? An autoclave is a device that allows you to conduct any process under pressure (up to 150 megapascals) with simultaneous heating above the boiling point of water (up to 500 degrees). Such results cannot be achieved on any other device. By structure, an autoclave is a container or vessel that can be closed or equipped with an opening lid. It is mandatory to install devices to control the main parameters. According to the location in space, the devices are: swinging, rotating, columnar horizontal and vertical. It all depends on the process in which the device is involved. In fact, the autoclave is the only way to produce maximum heating where it would not be possible under normal conditions.

Homemade preparations

On sale for a long time there are devices for processing products at home. They are smaller than the production ones. It is especially easy to make stew in an autoclave. To work, you need a stove, an electrical outlet, cans, metal lids and a set of products: meat (any), lard, salt, Bay leaf and pepper (allspice and peas).

All actions must be carried out slowly:

1. Rinse glass jars for products well and, preferably, sterilize.
2. Cut salo and meat into small cubes.
3. At the bottom of each jar put spices (1 bay leaf, 1 allspice and a few peas).
4. Then place the fat, and lay the meat on top of it.
5. Sprinkle 5 grams (1 teaspoon) of salt.
6. Roll up each jar with a metal lid.
7. Carefully put the food jars into the autoclave, fill them to the top with water and close the lid tightly.
8. Bring the pressure in the apparatus to the maximum, and then put it on fire.

Literally after 4 hours, the stew in the autoclave will be ready, but it will be possible to open the lid only after a day, when the container has completely cooled down.

Stocks for the winter

For summer residents, an autoclave is an excellent option for sterilizing products. During the period of mass harvesting, boiling each jar in a pot of water is a long and tiring task. And canned food in an autoclave can be processed in a matter of hours. There is nothing complicated here:

1. First you need to roll up the products (vegetables, fruits) in the usual way.
2. Place small wooden sticks in the form of a lattice on the bottom of the container so that the glass from the container does not have direct contact with inner surface and not damaged by heat.
3. Lay the jars in the autoclave in rows, but not to the very top.
4. Fill the container with water so that it is higher than the food.
5. Close the lid and up to 1 atmosphere.
6. Put the apparatus on fire and bring the temperature inside to 110 degrees. Make sure that it does not rise above 120 degrees. Otherwise, the flame must be reduced.
7. Heat up for an hour.
8. After the time has elapsed, turn off the fire and wait until the temperature drops to 30 degrees.
9. Relieve pressure with the valve and open the cap.

Now ready-made cans of canned food can be finally cooled and taken to the cellar.

Canned fish

The autoclave is unique in that it can cook almost any food. It greatly facilitates the work of the hostess. It allows you to make it less laborious and more secure. Autoclave fish is just as easy to make as anything else. Take, for example, the simplest recipe for cooking a product in oil. To do this, based on one liter jar, you will need: 1 kilogram of fish (without entrails and heads), 2 bay leaves, 11 grams of salt, 5-6 peppercorns and 30 grams of vegetable oil.

Next, you need to do the following:

1. Wash and prepare the container.
2. Cut the fish into pieces weighing 60-70 grams and mix it with salt.
3. Put the spices in the bottom of the jar.
4. Then place the fish so that it does not reach the edge of the dish by 3 centimeters.
5. Fill the contents with oil.
6. Roll up the container with a lid.