Odours that are generated in the production of food, and other processes,
even the pleasant ones, can cause problems, to our neighbours,
who are situated outside our boundary fence.

Most problems occur when the air extract system discharges these odours to the surrounding atmosphere. The prevailing wind carries them to someone in the vicinity who objects to the smell, and complains to their Local Environmental Health Officer.

This Officer will carry out a survey, to determine which factory is causing the problem, as there may be more than one offender. The Officer has the power to make the guilty company do something about these odours.

There are many ways of treating odours, that can expensive, both to install, maintain and run. These odours can be reduced to acceptable levels, at an economic cost, by the use of Ozone.

Ozone is produced naturally from the air that we breathe, it occurs when the ultraviolet rays of the sun penetrate our atmosphere. It causes an oxygen molecule (O²) to sub divide and attach itself to an unaffected O² molecule, forming O³ (ozone). It is also produced when air or oxygen comes into contact with a high voltage electrical discharge. This is known as the Corona Discharge. After a thunderstorm, most people agree that the air smells fresher. It is the ozone that does most of the cleaning of the air. It is an unstable gas that cannot be stored, and has a half-life in air, of about 20 minutes. This dry gas oxidises most odours.

Ozone Systems Ltd, of Luddenden, Halifax, obtained the order to treat the odours emanating from their Low / High risk production areas, at this site. The order was for one OSL 60 ozone generator, which is oxygen fed unit, generating 60 grams of ozone per hour. This unit was installed in the roof space above the areas, and the ozone piped to three extract duct runs, allowing the ozone time to oxidise the odours before being discharged to atmosphere. It was a two man day installation. The unit runs off a single-phase supply, with a power consumption of 830 watts and a compressed air requirement of 12 scfm at 30m psig supplied by the factory. It is compact in size, measuring 59 cm H x 66 cm W x 28 cm D.

Hygiene

With its great oxidising capability, ozone has been used in both air and water applications to keep bacteria, viruses and fungi under control. It is capable of a log2 reduction or greater, in bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella in only a few hours, and in water, it can be used against Cryptosporidium and Legionella.

Ozone Systems Ltd, has the experience to meet our clients requirements, re log reduction and comply with Health and Safety requirements.

It was agreed between H C F Plympton and Ozone Systems Ltd to conduct a trial on their spiral Chiller for one month.

The trial results were very positive, reducing or eliminating any environmental bacteria and yeast’s. This has resulted in their Divisional Microbiologist and Technical Director requesting another trial on their blast chiller, to confirm the power of this environmentally friendly dry gas.