In modern industrial production, ethylene oxide (EO) sterilizer is a key equipment to ensure the sterility of products. Its performance stability and safety cannot be ignored. Among many key performance indicators, sealing performance is particularly prominent, which is directly related to the sterilization effect of the sterilizer and the safety during operation. Therefore, for every industrial ethylene oxide sterilizer that is about to leave the factory, strict sealing testing is an indispensable part of its production process.

The working principle of ethylene oxide sterilizer is to inject ethylene oxide gas into a closed chamber and use its powerful killing ability of microorganisms to achieve sterilization of items. In this process, the sealing performance of the chamber plays a vital role. If the seal is not tight, ethylene oxide gas will leak, which will not only affect the sterilization effect, making some areas unable to achieve the expected sterilization level, but also may cause potential harm to operators and the surrounding environment.

Specifically, poor sealing performance may cause the following problems:
Discounted sterilization effect: Gas leakage will directly lead to insufficient ethylene oxide concentration in the sterilization chamber, thus affecting the killing effect of microorganisms. Especially when dealing with medical devices or biological products with extremely high sterilization requirements, any slight concentration fluctuation may cause the product to be unqualified.
Increased safety hazards: Ethylene oxide is a toxic, flammable and explosive gas. If it leaks, it will pose a threat to the health of operators and may cause safety accidents such as fire or explosion.
Rising energy consumption and costs: In order to ensure the sterilization effect, in the case of poor sealing performance, it may be necessary to increase the amount of ethylene oxide or extend the sterilization time, resulting in increased energy consumption and rising costs.

Given the importance of sealing performance, industrial ethylene oxide sterilizers must undergo a series of rigorous sealing tests before leaving the factory. These tests are designed to comprehensively evaluate the sealing performance of the equipment to ensure that it can remain leak-free under various working conditions.

Preliminary inspection: First, visually inspect the key parts of the equipment such as seals and doors to confirm that they are not damaged, deformed or aged. At the same time, check the tightness of each connection to ensure that there is no looseness.
Pressure test: After the preliminary inspection is qualified, a pressure test is performed. By injecting a certain pressure of gas (usually inert gas such as nitrogen) into the sterilization chamber, observe the changes in the pressure gauge reading. If the pressure remains stable or the drop is within the allowable range, it indicates that the sealing performance is good; otherwise, there may be a leak.
Leak detection: To further confirm whether there is a leak, a special leak detection instrument can be used for detection. These instruments can accurately detect tiny gas leaks and point out the specific location of the leak. During the detection process, special attention should be paid to the detection of the door body, seals and various connection parts.
Long-term pressure holding test: In order to ensure the stability of the sealing performance of the equipment during long-term use, a long-term pressure holding test is also required. That is, after injecting a certain pressure of gas into the sterilization chamber, keep it for a period of time (such as 24 hours) and observe the pressure changes. This test can simulate the working conditions of the equipment in actual use and more comprehensively evaluate its sealing performance.
Comprehensive evaluation and rectification: Based on the above test results, the sealing performance of the equipment is comprehensively evaluated. If there are leaks or pressure drops too quickly, rectification is required immediately. Rectification measures may include replacing seals, adjusting door structures, or strengthening tightening strength. After rectification, retesting is required until qualified.

In addition to strict pre-shipment testing, in order to maintain the long-term and stable sealing performance of industrial ethylene oxide sterilizers, continuous monitoring and maintenance are required during use. Specifically, the following measures can be taken:
Regular maintenance and care: Regularly inspect and maintain key parts of the equipment such as seals and doors. If wear, aging or damage is found, it should be replaced in time to ensure that its sealing performance is not affected.
Optimize operating specifications: Formulate and strictly implement operating procedures to ensure that the equipment is used and maintained correctly and reasonably during use. In particular, when opening and closing the door, you should pay attention to gentle movements to avoid damage to the seals.
Technical upgrade and transformation: With the development of technology and the improvement of processes, the sealing performance of the equipment can be continuously upgraded and transformed to improve its overall performance and reliability. For example, use more advanced sealing materials or improve the sealing structure.

The sealing performance of industrial ethylene oxide sterilizers is the cornerstone of their sterilization effect and safety. Only through strict pre-shipment testing and continuous monitoring and maintenance during use can we ensure that the equipment always maintains stable sealing performance and thus provide reliable protection for the sterilization needs of various industries.