US Energy Solutions, Inc.
Ozone Laundry Support System
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is ozone?
In its basic form it is oxygen. The US Energy Solutions Ozone Laundry Support System incorporates a patented pure oxygen-corona discharge generating system. This process in its simplest form is converting oxygen into a very powerful cleaning agent. The advantage with this technology in addition to the tremendous improvement in quality, sanitation, and whiteness is obviously the savings
What is the application?
Our process patents and application patents include our Passive Technology System which is the only noninvasive system available in the marketplace. The design process provides quick integration using your existing washer and allows the immediate conversion from hot water laundering to cold water washing.
Is it safe?
--- Ozone is totally biodegradable and when it completes its function, it reverts rapidly back to Oxygen (O2), leaving no chemical residues behind. So it is safe to utilize in laundry.
--- Our system offers Non-Invasive Ozone delivery to your washers
--- Equal and safe distribution of Ozone through Passive Injection Technology
Is it effective in killing bacteria?
Yes. Studies by the EPA and the CDC have shown that ozone when produced properly is 3,200 times more effective then chlorine bleach.
All linens exposed to this form of tri-atomic oxygen are free of germs, feel and smell great, and all of this is done in cold water.
Will the system require a great deal of work from laundry personnel?
No. The system is a Stand Alone, Non Invasive ozone laundry system that requires no major interaction from neither laundry staff nor management.
How does ozone laundering with US Energy Solutions save money?
We reduce your laundry's hot water usage by 90-100%.
We reduce your dryer time up to 60%.
We reduce your water usage by up to 35%.
We extend your linen life by 20%.
We reduce chemical costs.
We reduce labor costs.
What is the average payback?
In virtually all cases one and a half years or less.
Ozone References
. "The process of converting to ozone was easy and hassle free, we save thousands in utilities in each of our properties that have implemented the system. This has allowed us to become greener and more profitable at the same time."
Kerry Ranson
President HP Properties Birmingham, Alabama
. "We could not believe the difference in just the FIRST DAY. Our dryer time has been reduced over 60% and our linen has never smelled so clean. The installation was simplistic and never created any down time for us.
Brian Morgan
Director of Engineering Hilton Pensacola
. "I have to say that I am amazed. We have cut operating time of the machines down considerably. So much so we run out of laundry to do before the end of the day. Our drying time in the dryers has also been reduced drastically, so more gas savings expected there, as it appears the ozone opens up the linen to allow more water to be extracted. One huge advantage that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere is that the chances of injury resulting in taking wet laundry out of the machine and transferring it to the dryer has been drastically reduced, as with the extra water extracted the laundry it is considerably lighter to handle. This in itself is a selling point for this system with the huge costs involved in industrial accidents. The air conditioning certainly isn't having to work as hard either to keep the laundry area cool because there is no heat from the washing machines. The one thing that hadn't been mentioned regarding the linen is that is also softer and whiter than it has ever been before."
Christopher Roscoe
Chief Engineer HOTEL VALENCIA | san jose, California
. "Just a note of thanks for introducing Atlific Hotels to the Ozone Laundry Support System. We have just concluded a trial period with your system. We have reduced our total utility cost by over $0.025 per pound. The support and expertise from you and your team has also allowed us to make considerable reductions in our chemical usage (25% in our case). Not only does our linen feel , look and smell fresh but our Hotels will also have the advantage of an extended life span of all of their products. We would highly recommend your system to any potential customers big or small."
Gerry McMaster
Plant Manager
Atwell Airport Laundry Toronto, Ontario
. "Our laundry has 'wow' factor that I never could have imagined. We are washing over 20,000 lbs a day in cold water that used to be hot water, and drying times have been reduced by nearly 50%.
Ozone Laundry has gone above and beyond in every way."
Peggy Collet
Laundry Manager Kalahari Indoor / Outdoor Water Park Resort
Sandusky, Ohio
OZONE FOR USE IN LAUNDRY WASHING
By Nathan Schiff, PhD
Associate Editor - Institutional
Can you recall that fresh and pleasant smell in the air, right after a thunderstorm? It's due to ozone. That
same ozone is also responsible for imparting a distinctive fresh smell and feel to bed sheets which are
hung out to dry on a clothesline; on a day when the sun is shining and a gentle breeze is blowing in the
air.
When used in laundry wash water, ozone allows for shorter wash cycles resulting in significant energy
and water/sewer surcharge savings. Enhanced soil removal, powerful disinfection and reduced garment
wear-and-tear are some of the added benefits. For this reason ozone laundry systems are gaining rapid
international acceptance over conventional methods which require substantial amounts of hot water. This
article examines some of the factors which make ozone so unique when applied to laundry systems.
What is Ozone and how is it Produced
Ozone is created when air is exposed to either: ultraviolet light, lightening or man made high voltage
electric arcs. This causes some of the oxygen (O2) molecules to fracture into 2 Oxygen (O) atoms. These
atoms then combine with other O2 molecules, forming a molecule of ozone; consisting of a group of 3
oxygen atoms (O3) . Ozone is very reactive and is natures own way of destroying pollutants and cleaning
up the atmosphere.
What makes Ozone so Special in Fabric Washing.
Ozone is highly unstable, and this property also makes it a very powerful oxidizing, cleaning and
bleaching agent, with special application in laundry washing. Ozone works best in cold water - hot water
breaks ozone down before it can perform as intended - it attacks most organic soils and kills bacteria
3200 times faster than chlorine bleach.
Ozone is totally biodegradable and when it completes its function, it reverts rapidly back to Oxygen (O2),
leaving no chemical residues behind.
What are Ozone Laundry Systems and how do they Operate
These systems use an ozone generator which is usually integrated with existing equipment. Compressed
air is forced through a high voltage electrical arc, which results in the conversion oxygen molecules into
ozone gas. The ozone is then dissolved in cold laundry wash water where it exerts its powerful cleaning
action. Because it is so reactive, ozone readily attaches itself to fatty and other soils that bind dirt to
clothing, destroying them rapidly. As one of the strongest known oxidizing agents, ozone is capable of
breaking down virtually any organic soil into innocuous compounds such as carbon dioxide and water.
Being a gas in solution, ozone penetrates and opens individual garment fibers, allowing faster cleaning
and bleaching of garments with the use of less chemicals. The overall effect results in considerable
reductions in the washing and drying cycle times, and whiter, cleaner and softer garments.
Why is Industry and Government excited with this technology
Because of its powerful oxidation properties ozone dissolves soil on contact and does so at ambient
water temperatures, instead of conventional 140o -160oF, which drastically reduces heating costs. Some
estimates indicate that an 80% fuel consumption saving can be realized.
1. Ozone's powerful disinfecting properties allows for dramatic reductions in water and sewer
surcharges. Since 2 instead of 3 rinses are usually required, quicker cycle times occur, which
increases the productivity per machine, per hour. Labor savings, estimated at 20%, can also be
realized through shortened wash and dry times made possible by reduced chemical use and
handling.
2. The EPA and FDA have acknowledged that ozone is capable of reducing pathogenic bacterial
levels on garments by 99.9992%. Ozone is also recognized for its powerful pollutant destruction
capabilities in laundry wastewater and therefore in the purification of wastewater.
3. Due to the reduced cycle time coupled with the elimination of chlorine and hot water, the life of
the garment is often increased. Unlike chlorine with a long garment residual time - which may be
detrimental to garments - all traces of ozone are instantly eliminated.
The Future of Ozone Laundry Systems in Canada
This technology is still relatively rare in Canada. Recently BC Hydro partnered with two ozone laundry
system manufacturers and installed the technology at two test sites for a three-month trial. The ozone
devices were added to existing wash equipment of a local hotel and senior care facility, feeding ozone
into the wash water.
Since the study, B.C.'s laundry industry is starting to take notice of the benefits of ozone laundry systems
The first ozone laundry system was installed in July 2000 at a local hotel chain, and others may soon
follow.
Currently, ozone washing machines provide the best return on investment when used in large institutions
such as prisons, hospitals or hotels.
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