Vaporiser Temperature Compensation — FRCA Primary MCQ

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HardPhysics & Clinical MeasurementVaporiser Temperature CompensationFRCA Primary

The cooling effect during vaporisation (requiring latent heat) causes reduced vaporiser output. This is compensated by:

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Correct answer: B — Using copper body and bimetallic strip temperature compensation

Vaporisation is endothermic causing cooling and reduced SVP. Compensation: high thermal conductivity materials (copper) / bimetallic strip temperature-compensating mechanisms / large surface area wicks. The Tec 6 desflurane vaporiser uses active heating (39°C) because of desflurane's near-room-temperature boiling point.

Reference: Al-Shaikh Stacey 2019 Essentials of Anaesthetic Equipment