Autoclave

Name:
Autoclave
Detailed information:
A chamber, usually of cylindrical shape, provided with a door or gate at one end which can be securely closed during operation. It is built heavily enough to accommodate steam pressures of considerable magnitude. It is used to effect chemical reactions requiring high temperature and pressure, such as open-steam vulcanization of rubber. Sizes vary from laboratory units to production size, which may be over 50 ft long and three or more feet in diameter. The latter are provided with baffles to ensure equal distribution of the entering steam. Autoclaves are also used in certain sterilization processes.