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Pre-vacuum
The sterilisation cycle is initiated by reducing the pressure to 60-160 millibars. The pre-vacuum removes residual air from the autoclave vessel and ensures thorough permeation of steam throughout the entire health care risk waste load.
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Pressurisation
After completing the pre-vacuum cycle the autoclave is pressurised with saturated steam to 4.34bars. At this pressure, the minimum operation temperature is 148º C.
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Blowdown Cycle
The steam in the autoclave is vented through a steam condenser and the condensate safely drained to the municipal sewer. The generation of odours are effectively controlled by the Bondtech steam condenser along with the post-vacuum process.
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Post-vacuum cycle
A post vacuum is then applied to the vessel prior to the end of the cycle to ensure that no steam remains in the autoclave vessel, thus minimising the occupational exposure to operating personnel. Removing the steam during the post-vacuum process prevents the waste from being wetted thus eliminating the addition of moisture to the waste and an associated increase in mass.
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Shredding
The sterilised material in the autoclave bin is then removed from the autoclave and transferred to the shredding station. Here, the contents are tipped into a shredder. The shredded material then drops into a leak-proof rocker bin which then tips the material into a covered skip.
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Daily Haulage to Landfill Site
The skips are removed on a daily basis to the nearest permitted general landfill site where a bund is prepared. The waste is then deposited in the bund and covered with soil and general waste.
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