Horizontal bench-top autoclaves Systec DX-Series

State-of-the-art technology
The Systec autoclave is state-of-the-art, both in terms of its mechanical and electronic components, which together ensure a new level of quality in laboratory sterilization processes. Systec autoclaves therefore meet the requirements that will be placed on laboratory work in the future.

All-round quality
The pressure vessel is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel 316L (1.4404) and is easy to clean. An approved safety valve for excess pressure is included. The autoclave support framework and housing are also made of stainless steel. The highly efficient, high-quality melamine foam insulation material releases no particles; Systec autoclaves can be used under clean-room conditions.

Dual sensors as standard
Temperature and pressure are controlled via an electronic pressure sensor, as well as a flexible temperature sensor in the chamber or in a reference vessel (with liquids). Systec DX-Series autoclaves also have an additional temperature sensor in the floor drain.

Systec autoclaves are fitted with the following connections at the rear:

All according to standards and regulations
Systec autoclaves are equipped as standard for sterilization temperatures up to 140 °C and steam pressures up to 4 bar absolute pressure.

The Systec DX-Series models are also designed for higher steam pressure and higher temperatures: The pressure vessels are capable of withstanding a pressure of 5 bar (absolute pressure) at a sterilization temperature of 150°C as standard. The control, regulation, and safety components are also adapted to the higher maximum pressure and higher maximum temperature by this optional extension. Those who initially purchase a standard model can also have the extended performance range retrofitted at a later date.

Steam generation by steam generator
The steam generator is integrated into the autoclave housing but separated from the sterilization chamber.

This has numerous advantages:

• No heating elements and no reservoir for dirty water in the chamber
• In conjunction with the stand-by pre-heating function, only 10 min. heating time to 121 °C with an empty chamber is required
• Improved air removal by suppressing the air to the bottom with its natural gravitation
• Quicker cooling as neither the hot water in the chamber nor the separate steam generator need to be cooled
• After cooling, steam is immediately available for the next sterilization run

Condensation of steam instead of removal
Exhaust steam is condensed automatically via a PT-100-regulated cooling system. This prevents odors and protects waste water piping that may be made of plastic.

Operation by Touch-Screen technology
Operation is easy and rapid via a large (5.7 inch) touch screen interface for direct reading. This innovation oers additional options and increased flexibility when working with the autoclave. For example, process data can be displayed numerically or graphically. 7 programs are pre-defined but can be expanded (up to 100) as required by the user. To create a new program, the user is guided through the process by a menu dialog. Every new program is automatically assigned to a permanent, unalterable name and can also be given an individual designation by the user. All process parameters can be individually altered.

Pre-defined programs
1 Solids
2 Waste bags
3 Liquid waste
4 Liquids
5 Cleaning
6 Vacuum test*
7 Bowie-Dick test*

These can be expanded to 100 sterilization programs.
* Only in combination with a vacuum device.

Automatic door-opening system

Easy but safe – on closing, the door is automatically locked by a circumferential ring system. A special lip seal made of heatresistant silicone provides reliable tightness; the more the steam pressure increases, the tighter the seal becomes – without the need for additional compressed air or other media! The door-locking system is temperature-controlled according to the safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use (DIN EN (IEC) 61010-2-040). The door remains locked as long as there is excess pressure in the chamber. The door and other parts of the pressure vessel and housing are made of stainless steel. The attractively designed front cover, which also incorporates the control panel, display and parts of the control processing system, is made of heatresistant, insulating plastic. There is no risk for the operator of coming into contact with hot components.

Automatic door opening
The autoclave door-opening works autonomously – either by pressing a button or automatically at the end of a program. A simple system but most useful in practice. Residual steam is exhausted automatically without intermission. Residual heat is used to dry the items being sterilized during a final short phase in the autoclave. Automatic door-opening is restricted to an angle of approx. 15°; this avoids possible contamination from the outside. This is especially useful when sterilized items have to remain in the autoclave for cooling and drying. Subsequently, for removing the sterilized items, the door can be completely opened manually.

Systec autoclaves comply with the following standards and regulations:

Pressure vessel:

• 2014/68/EU Pressure Equipment Directive
• ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1
• China Stamp

Other guidelines:

• 2014 / 35 / EU Low Voltage Directive
• 2014 /30 / EU on Electromagnetic Compatibility

All autoclaves are CE marked.
We will be happy to provide a complete list of standards and summary of regulations on request.

Select the right process for every sterilization application

Several options are available that are necessary to obtain correct and validatable results and rapid cooling times, especially in the case of liquids. The options available depend on the items to be sterilized.

A validatable sterilization process of biological efficiency can only be obtained if the correct instrument configuration is used.

The table below provides help in establishing the desired configuration. Please ask our experts for additional advice!

+ Recommended procedure        ? Possibly acceptable         – Not possible

Heating up

The actual sterilization time of e.g. 15 minutes at 121 °C is only a fraction of the total time involved for an autoclave procedure. Especially in the case of sterilizing liquids, the heating up and cooling down phases are considerably longer.

The conventional procedure
In previously used conventional systems, even if the intended sterilization temperature has been reached within the autoclave, the liquids to be sterilized are often only at about 60-90°C; the temperature equilibrium time between chamber and liquids normally takes much longer.

Up to 50 % shorter heat-up times as standard
Due to the combined temperature and pressure regulation, the chamber pressure is increased during the heat-up phase. The result: more rapid temperature equilibrium in the liquids and a shorter heat-up time.

Cooling

The cooling process for liquids is also very slow; this is because, without active rapid cooling, the heat can only be reduced to below 100 °C by dissipating the heat via the chamber insulation by radiation (see diagram: conventional cooling). New system- and process technology makes it possible to substantially reduce the overall time required for the sterilization process (see diagram: rapid cooling).

Various optional rapid cooling systems enable the cooling times for liquids to be significantly reduced. This conserves culture media and makes for efficient utilization of the autoclave.

In addition to conventional cooling by regulated steam exhaust down to 100 °C and subsequent very slow self-cooling down to 80 °C, optional cooling systems for rapid cooling are available.

• Cooling with ambient air ventilation
• Mantle cooling with cooling water
• Mantle cooling with cooling water and support pressure
• Radial ventilator for air circulation and accelerated heat removal from the chamber
• Ultracooler
• Spray cooling with recirculated and recooled sterile water and support pressure

Mantle cooling with cooling water and support pressure 

During the entire sterilization process a flexible PT-100 temperature sensor monitors the temperature in a reference vessel. It is guaranteed that the sterilization period begins only once the sterilization temperature has been attained in the liquid to be sterilized. In accordance with relevant standards to prevent delayed boiling, the lid can only be opened once the temperature of the liquid has been reduced to at least 80 °C. The use of support pressure in the form of sterile-filtered compressed air during the cooling phase reliably prevents the culture medium from boiling.

Advantages:

• No loss of liquid due to boiling of the culture media
• Improved productivity from reduced cycle times and the full utilization of the filling volume in each bottle
• Prevention of delayed and over-boiling
• Prevention of the risk of bottles bursting during or after sterilization
• Prevention of re-contamination by the use of hermetically sealed bottles during sterilization
• Reduction of cooling time by up to 60 %

Radial Ventilator

In conjunction with optional mantle cooling with cooling water and support pressure, the radial ventilator ensures accelerated removal of heat from the sterilization items to the cooled chamber mantle. The radial ventilator is placed in the door of the sterilization chamber so that the usable space in the autoclave is not reduced!

• The usable space in the autoclave is not reduced by the fan, as it is located in the door of the sterilization chamber.
• Air flow rate 71 m³/h
• Recooling times reduced by up to 70%

Ultracooler

In conjunction with optional mantle cooling with cooling water, support pressure and radial ventilator, it is possible to significantly reduce the recooling time and the entire sterilization process by integrating of the additional ultracooler heat exchanger. The Ultracooler is also placed in the door of the sterilization chamber near the radial ventilator so that the usable space in the autoclave is not reduced.

• The Ultracooler is placed around the radial fan in the chamber door so as not to reduce the usable space inside the chamber and to allow full loading.
• Up to 90% reduction in recooling times
• 15 to 60 minutes cooling time, depending on the load

Vacuum system
Typical solids are pipette tips (in boxes), empty glassware and porous materials such as filters or fabrics. The vacuum device effectively removes the air from solids, tubing, porous materials, and fabrics, allowing the steam to penetrate completely. The process includes a fractionated pre-vacuum phase in combination with the standard steam generator.

Superdry – for drying solids
This optional accessory increases the drying efficiency for solids and porous materials such as filters and fabrics. Heat energy from the standard steam generator is transferred to the heating coils around the body of the sterilization chamber and is used for drying. Deep-vacuum drying using the optional vacuum device in conjuction with Superdry avoids the necessity for subsequent drying in a separate drying cabinet.

Vacuum system
For waste in bags, it is important to completely remove the air present in the sterilization load in order to ensure accurate, reproducible, and validatable sterilization.

The vacuum device is used for the highly effective removal of air from disposal bags so that the steam can also penetrate the items to be sterilized. This is achieved by means of a fractionated pre-vacuum in conjunction with the standard steam generator. This is the only way to achieve validatable sterilization of waste in disposal bags.

Exhaust air filtration with condensate inactivation

For the sterilization of hazardous biological substances, Systec autoclaves can be fitted with an optional air exhaust filtration system. The autoclavable sterile filter, consisting of a filter cartridge with PTFE membrane of pore size 0.2 μm, is installed in a presure-proof housing and can be quickly changed at any time.

The filter is also automatically sterilized inline during the sterilization process, monitored by the PT-100 temperature sensor. The condensate is retained inside the pressure vessel during the heating and sterilization phases and thus also sterilized. Through air exhaust filtration and condensate inactivation, it is ensured that no microorganisms can escape before end of the sterilization phase.