extechnology

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	01 Jun 2009 Extechnology article published in the HVR
SEEING THE LIGHT Nuisance odours from commercial kitchen exhausts are a very common problem that can lead to complaints and hinder planning permission for new restaurants. However, the next generation of UV-C technology offers an easily maintained solution for contractors, Cian Flood, Director at Extechnology explains. According to recent data, the number of complaints regarding odours from kitchen extraction systems is increasing. Traditionally carbon filters have been used as a method of odour control. Although environmental concerns over using carbon, plus increasing maintenance costs resulting from the monthly replacement of filters, has meant that over the years other methods of odour control have gained in popularity. In fact, there is a simple well established solution to odour control that contractors will be familiar with - UV-C technology. Used in a variety of air cleaning applications for more than 20 years, UV-C technology works by oxidising odours and grease, permanently destroying and altering the compounds. This process works in two stages, in the first stage UV-C light generates ozone from the oxygen in the air. (Ozone is a powerful oxidant which interacts with most pollutants such as odour, bacteria, mould, mildew and grease rendering them harmless.) A breakdown of the polluted molecule results in permanent oxidation and a conversion into harmless compounds such as water vapour and carbon dioxide. In the second stage, this cleansing operation is then further enhanced through the UV tubes breaking down the oxygen into single atoms know as hydroxyl free radicals. These free radicals are also powerful oxidants and naturally clean the air. In kitchen ventilation UV-C technology has traditionally been used in an inline application within the extract ductwork or canopy. An arrangement of UV-C light tubes is fitted in the ductwork close to the canopy hood. In theory, the air is then extracted from the kitchen through the canopy into the ductwork where it passes through the UV-C tubes. Here the odours and grease are broken down into harmless compounds via the ozone and hydroxyl free radicals. The compounds are then carried out with the exhaust air flow, leaving significantly cleaner ducts and reducing odours where the air is discharged. Applying UV-C technology in this way has its drawbacks, and certainly does not fully utilise its potential for the benefit of the contractor or the end-user. Because the UV-C tubes are installed within the ductwork and so sit in the airflow as the cooking effluent flows past them, the tubes require frequent cleaning since in practice the cooking grease tends to adhere to their surface. This growing accumulation gradually inhibits the air-cleaning performance of the inline UV tubes as well as causing pressure drops which affect the energy efficiency of the air movement system. Another disadvantage of inline UV-C technology, which is of particular relevance to contractors, is it can be tricky to install. The tube arrangement has to be fitted inside the ducts thus adding to installation time and costs, especially when retrofitting a system. It also limits the type of canopies that can be used, placing further restrictions on retrofitting UV-C technology. Finally, safety can be an issue. Firstly UV-C light is hazardous and so safety measures need to be in place. With inline UV-C technology there is usually a safeguard where the tubes are locked behind panels (baffle filters) that when unlocked automatically shut down the system. However, since the tubes are situated near to the extract canopy hood, if they are installed incorrectly they may be visible through the hood possibly posing a threat to kitchen workers and contractors. Another safety issue that has arisen with the tubes is they have been known to break in the duct, sending showers of glass into the kitchen and potentially the food. In response to these problems, and to maximise the high performance, easy maintenance benefits of UV-C technology, Extechnology has developed a patented solution, the EXE 12, which offers the next generation of UV-C odour and grease control in kitchen extracts. The major difference with the Extechnology application is that the UV-C tubes are mounted outside the ductwork or canopy in a separate, self-contained chamber that is linked to the ductwork or canopy via two spigots. Within the Extechnology chamber UV-C tubes produce ozone which significantly reduces odour and grease within the extract system. The process is further enhanced through the production of hydroxyl free radicals via the titanium dioxide coated plate fitted within the walls of the chamber. The ozone and free radicals are drawn into the duct through the two spigot connections, mixing with the extract air so removing odour and grease from the airflow before it is discharged. Any residual ozone not used up in the process is then reconverted back to oxygen before being exhausted to atmosphere. Applying UV-C technology in this way ensures the tubes remain clean, working efficiently without the need for a continuous cleaning regime. The only maintenance required by this type of system is tube replacement every 8000 hours or once a year, instead of a regime of continuous cleaning that is needed with inline units. This reduction in maintenance saves the contractor and client time and money. Meanwhile, for the contractor locating the tubes outside the ductwork has the added advantage of making installation and maintenance simple. With maintenance it is easy to access the tubes via a panel on the chamber rather than having to access the duct. The Extechnology EXE 12 unit is easier to install and connect into the ductwork or canopy, especially when retrofitting. It is also possible to specify where the spigots are located to aid fitting on different applications and there's no need to change the canopy or the extract fan either. Removing and isolating the tubes from the ductwork itself is safer in practice for all parties, totally eliminating the risk of tube debris or dangerous UV-light emissions. The Extechnology EXE 12 lamp unit is designed to shutdown immediately if the extract fan stops or if the chamber is opened. UV-C technology is proven to combat nuisance odours and grease making it the ideal solution for contractors and clients alike. However, it's the latest generation of UV-C products which really opens up the kitchen extract market for contractors, especially retrofit opportunities. More and more contractors and catering chains are seeing the benefits of this approach, where air cleaning performance is excellent and the maintenance, hassle and running costs of such a system are also significantly reduced.

01 Jun 2009

Extechnology article published in the HVR

SEEING THE LIGHT

Nuisance odours from commercial kitchen exhausts are a very common problem that can lead to complaints and hinder planning permission for new restaurants. However, the next generation of UV-C technology offers an easily maintained solution for contractors, Cian Flood, Director at Extechnology explains.

According to recent data, the number of complaints regarding odours from kitchen extraction systems is increasing. Traditionally carbon filters have been used as a method of odour control. Although environmental concerns over using carbon, plus increasing maintenance costs resulting from the monthly replacement of filters, has meant that over the years other methods of odour control have gained in popularity. In fact, there is a simple well established solution to odour control that contractors will be familiar with - UV-C technology.

Used in a variety of air cleaning applications for more than 20 years, UV-C technology works by oxidising odours and grease, permanently destroying and altering the compounds. This process works in two stages, in the first stage UV-C light generates ozone from the oxygen in the air. (Ozone is a powerful oxidant which interacts with most pollutants such as odour, bacteria, mould, mildew and grease rendering them harmless.) A breakdown of the polluted molecule results in permanent oxidation and a conversion into harmless compounds such as water vapour and carbon dioxide.

In the second stage, this cleansing operation is then further enhanced through the UV tubes breaking down the oxygen into single atoms know as hydroxyl free radicals. These free radicals are also powerful oxidants and naturally clean the air.

In kitchen ventilation UV-C technology has traditionally been used in an inline application within the extract ductwork or canopy. An arrangement of UV-C light tubes is fitted in the ductwork close to the canopy hood. In theory, the air is then extracted from the kitchen through the canopy into the ductwork where it passes through the UV-C tubes. Here the odours and grease are broken down into harmless compounds via the ozone and hydroxyl free radicals. The compounds are then carried out with the exhaust air flow, leaving significantly cleaner ducts and reducing odours where the air is discharged.

Applying UV-C technology in this way has its drawbacks, and certainly does not fully utilise its potential for the benefit of the contractor or the end-user. Because the UV-C tubes are installed within the ductwork and so sit in the airflow as the cooking effluent flows past them, the tubes require frequent cleaning since in practice the cooking grease tends to adhere to their surface. This growing accumulation gradually inhibits the air-cleaning performance of the inline UV tubes as well as causing pressure drops which affect the energy efficiency of the air movement system.

Another disadvantage of inline UV-C technology, which is of particular relevance to contractors, is it can be tricky to install. The tube arrangement has to be fitted inside the ducts thus adding to installation time and costs, especially when retrofitting a system. It also limits the type of canopies that can be used, placing further restrictions on retrofitting UV-C technology.

Finally, safety can be an issue. Firstly UV-C light is hazardous and so safety measures need to be in place. With inline UV-C technology there is usually a safeguard where the tubes are locked behind panels (baffle filters) that when unlocked automatically shut down the system. However, since the tubes are situated near to the extract canopy hood, if they are installed incorrectly they may be visible through the hood possibly posing a threat to kitchen workers and contractors. Another safety issue that has arisen with the tubes is they have been known to break in the duct, sending showers of glass into the kitchen and potentially the food.

In response to these problems, and to maximise the high performance, easy maintenance benefits of UV-C technology, Extechnology has developed a patented solution, the EXE 12, which offers the next generation of UV-C odour and grease control in kitchen extracts.

The major difference with the Extechnology application is that the UV-C tubes are mounted outside the ductwork or canopy in a separate, self-contained chamber that is linked to the ductwork or canopy via two spigots. Within the Extechnology chamber UV-C tubes produce ozone which significantly reduces odour and grease within the extract system. The process is further enhanced through the production of hydroxyl free radicals via the titanium dioxide coated plate fitted within the walls of the chamber. The ozone and free radicals are drawn into the duct through the two spigot connections, mixing with the extract air so removing odour and grease from the airflow before it is discharged. Any residual ozone not used up in the process is then reconverted back to oxygen before being exhausted to atmosphere.

Applying UV-C technology in this way ensures the tubes remain clean, working efficiently without the need for a continuous cleaning regime.

The only maintenance required by this type of system is tube replacement every 8000 hours or once a year, instead of a regime of continuous cleaning that is needed with inline units. This reduction in maintenance saves the contractor and client time and money. Meanwhile, for the contractor locating the tubes outside the ductwork has the added advantage of making installation and maintenance simple. With maintenance it is easy to access the tubes via a panel on the chamber rather than having to access the duct.

The Extechnology EXE 12 unit is easier to install and connect into the ductwork or canopy, especially when retrofitting. It is also possible to specify where the spigots are located to aid fitting on different applications and there's no need to change the canopy or the extract fan either.

Removing and isolating the tubes from the ductwork itself is safer in practice for all parties, totally eliminating the risk of tube debris or dangerous UV-light emissions. The Extechnology EXE 12 lamp unit is designed to shutdown immediately if the extract fan stops or if the chamber is opened.

UV-C technology is proven to combat nuisance odours and grease making it the ideal solution for contractors and clients alike. However, it's the latest generation of UV-C products which really opens up the kitchen extract market for contractors, especially retrofit opportunities. More and more contractors and catering chains are seeing the benefits of this approach, where air cleaning performance is excellent and the maintenance, hassle and running costs of such a system are also significantly reduced.