What type of valve is commonly used to control the flow of steam into a sterilizer chamber?

Solenoid valves are commonly used to control the flow of steam into a sterilizer chamber. A solenoid valve is an electromechanical valve that is controlled by an electric current through a solenoid. The solenoid creates a magnetic field, which in turn operates a mechanism to open or close the valve. These valves are favored due to their rapid response time, reliability, and ability to be controlled remotely via the sterilizer's control system. This remote control is essential for automating the sterilization cycle, allowing the sterilizer's programmable logic controller (PLC) to precisely regulate the steam flow based on temperature and pressure sensors within the chamber. Other valve types, like globe valves or ball valves, may be used in other parts of the steam system for manual shutoff or pressure regulation, but solenoid valves are primarily used for the automated and precise control of steam entry into the sterilization chamber.