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PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF STERILIZING COTTON ARTICLES BY STEAM
Author(s) -
HENRY P. S. H.
Publication year - 1959
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1959.tb04620.x
Subject(s) - limiting , superheating , moisture , superheated steam , drum , materials science , penetration (warfare) , environmental science , composite material , mechanical engineering , thermodynamics , mathematics , engineering , operations research , physics
SUMMARY: In this paper some of the physical processes occurring when cotton articles are sterilized in metal drums or bare packages in an autoclave are discussed, with special reference to the case where a good vacuum is drawn before the admission of steam. It is shown that under these conditions the heating will be quick, uniform, regular and reversible, and that no separate drying‐off period should be needed. Calculation of the temperatures and moisture contents reached during the ‘quasiequilibrium’period shows that the ‘superheating’of the cotton is self‐limiting, can never exceed a few degrees Centigrade, and will not give rise to serious weakening of the cotton. Calculation of the rate of irreversible penetration of moisture into the contents of the drum shows that this can easily be limited to the wrapping layer. Information is given on the ‘heat‐tendering’of cotton, and the advantages of using a good vacuum are summarized.