How the LABOKLAV 55-195 series conserves resources

Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in laboratories and research institutions. Alongside energy consumption and process reliability, the responsible use of water and operating resources is also coming into focus. Modern sterilisation technology can make a significant contribution in this regard.

The LABOKLAV 55-195 series from SHP Steriltechnik AG was developed with the aim of combining high-performance and efficient sterilisation processes with resource-efficient operation. The focus is on both the efficient use of water and energy and the durability of the equipment.

Deionised water in a closed system
A key component of the installed technology is the supply of fully deionised water (DE water) to the steam generator and the double jacket. The DE water has a maximum conductivity of 15 µS and is supplied from a shared storage tank.

This deionised water is also used for rapid recooling via the double jacket. The double jacket must not be operated using normal tap water or cooling water. The use of deionised water prevents limescale deposits from forming in the double jacket over time, which could lead to costly maintenance work or, in extreme cases, damage.

The deionised water required for recooling remains within the system. Regular cooling water is used via a heat exchanger to cool the deionised water in the storage tank. The cooling water and the deionised water remain separate from one another.

This design enables efficient use of the treated water and reduces the need for a continuous supply of deionised water.

Efficient rapid recooling and short cycle times
In the LABOKLAV 55-195 series, the double jacket does more than just provide rapid recooling. The double jacket is also utilised during the heating phase. To achieve this, steam is passed through the jacket.
Using the double jacket for both heating and cooling enables efficient heat transfer and contributes to short cycle times. As a result, the items to be sterilised can be brought up to the desired process temperature more quickly and cooled down again once sterilisation is complete.
This can be a significant advantage in day-to-day laboratory operations, particularly with regular use and a high number of sterilisation cycles.

Transparent resource consumption
In the laboratory, sustainability cannot be assessed on the basis of individual components alone. What matters is the resource consumption of the entire sterilisation process.
This is why specific consumption figures play an important role. Water and energy consumption vary depending on the size of the unit, the load and the programme selected. Transparent consumption data enables users to assess the actual resource requirements of a sterilisation process and to compare different process conditions.

This answers an important question asked by both dealers and users: How much water and energy does a LABOKLAV require for a specific load and a specific sterilisation programme?

The following consumption data is based on internal test runs.

Shorter waiting times in day-to-day operations
Sustainability is not just about using water and energy as efficiently as possible. Equally important is the efficient design of the entire process chain.

Short cycle times and effective recooling enable media, liquids and laboratory equipment to be made available again more quickly. This helps to optimise workflows and reduce unnecessary waiting times.

Precise control of the sterilisation processes also helps to ensure that items being sterilised are not subjected to greater thermal stress than necessary. This can extend the service life of materials and help to prevent waste.

Durability as a contribution to sustainability
A sustainable product is characterised not only by low resource consumption, but also by a long service life.

The robust design of the LABOKLAV series, the high-quality workmanship and the long-term availability of spare parts all contribute to ensuring that the units can be operated reliably for many years.

A long product lifespan reduces the need for replacement units and thus also the resources that would be required for their manufacture, transport and subsequent disposal.

Sustainability and cost-effectiveness in harmony
For many laboratories today, sustainability is not just an environmental decision, but also an economic one. Efficient use of water and energy, short process times, low running costs and a long service life create tangible added value in day-to-day laboratory work.

With the LABOKLAV series, SHP Steriltechnik AG combines modern sterilisation technology with resource-efficient and effective operation. The combination of deionised water supply, heat exchangers, double-jacket technology and efficient process control demonstrates how technical performance and the responsible use of resources can be combined.