Green Autoclaves (Steam Sterilizers): Less Water, Less Steam, Less Energy, More LEED® Points
Arthur Trapotsis, Consolidated Sterilizer Systems
During this presentation, the speaker will discuss the water and energy consumption of laboratory and vivarium steam sterilizers, as well as designs implemented to reduce their environmental footprint. Steam sterilizers can utilize large quantities of water to draw a vacuum, condense steam, and cool effluent. Over the lifetime of the autoclave, the costs of water and sewage utilities can greatly surpass the initial capital costs of the autoclave. Aside from cost and environmental benefits, these measures can help increase the number of LEED points accredited to a building project by the U.S. Green Building Council. Emerging water-saving technologies and practices can reduce the water consumed by more than 90 percent, with a return on investment typically between six and 18 months. The speaker will present a case study wherein water consumption data collected from a laboratory sterilizer with water-saving technology will be compared to an identical sterilizer (the control) without water-saving technology.
The speaker will discuss other emerging trends to reduce the environmental impact of steam sterilizers. These trends include remote monitoring and control through networked workstations or mobile devices, remote factory services, manufacturing practices, and best end-user practices.
Biography:
Arthur Trapotsis has 15 years of experience with a variety of laboratory sterilization systems. Mr. Trapotsis joined Consolidated Sterilizer Systems in 1999 as a research and development engineer and continuously advanced to his current position. Mr. Trapotsis has presented to numerous laboratory planners and architects around the country, promoting "green" autoclave design features. Mr. Trapotsis obtained his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in biochemical engineering from Tufts University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Babson College. Mr. Trapotsis has been responsible for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of hospital steam sterilizers, the design of a dental "table-top" sterilizer, the development of a sterilizer for Anthrax-contaminated mail, and has a patent pending on a novel low-temperature sterilization technology for sterilization of surgical instruments.
Mr. Trapotsis is active in the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation and is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council.