Regulatory and Environmental Consulting
Regulatory and Environmental Consulting
CHEMISTRY
At CLEAN'99
by Nathan Schiff, Ph.D.
Associate Editor - Institutional
LAUNDRY
PRODUCTS
I was impressed by Ecolab's ADVACARE 120 system, for institutional and hospital
laundries which is designed for use at energy-saving temperatures of 120o
F (49o C), rather than at the traditional140?F (60?C)first rinse. The system
includes chemicals as well as electronic dispensing and water reclamation
equipment. I was told that hoses and drum connectors have been re-engineered
for the handling and transfer of chemicals, in order to prevent spills and
accidental mixing of incompatible products. Jeff Scott, Canadian Area Manager
for Ecolab's Textile Division, said this program will be launched in Canada
in August, pending expected approval by Health Canada .
The detergent developed for this program uses a low alkalinity formulation,
which contains several enzymes. The use of enzymes in laundry formulations
isn't new, and has been incorporated in various powder products. However,
this system uses three different types of enzymes in a liquid to provide
exceptional soil removal capabilities.
All enzymes are proteins; derived mostly from plants, animals and bacterial
sources.Protease enzymes specialize in breaking down the protein stains at
relatively low temperatures. Similarly, lipase enzymes are specific for breaking
down oil and grease stains. So what's so difficult about balancing proteases,
lipases and other enzymes together into one liquid blend?A protease enzyme
can't tell the difference between a genuine protein stain and a lipase enzyme,
which also is a protein. So it digests the lipase just as readily as a stain.
Ecolab=s combining of three different enzymes, plus specialized enzyme-compatible
detergents in a low alkalinity blend enables it to wash at 120? F. This is
said to result in energy savings plus a gentler treatment of fabrics. According
to Scott, the keystone of the process is its new totally biodegradable sour-sanitizer
which sanitizes linens at 90? F or less, during the souring stage.
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS NOW AFFORDABLE
Using the same technology as your credit card, a radio frequency chip or
laser paint thread can now be used to track garments and linens in commercial
and institutional laundries. Costing from US $0.60 to 0.80 each, these can
be inserted into textiles and garments. The Laser Paint Technology uses a
laser thread and proprietary fluorescent inks, formulated by Spectal Sciences.
According to Anders Hansen( Central/ATS, Inc. - the Jensen Group), the laser
thread allows for the input of more information than is possible with the
radio frequency technology. The radio frequency chip which has been around
for a number of years has come down dramatically in price, andcan be sewn
or heat-sealed into fabrics and garments. Both technologies allow for input
of information regarding the history of the item. This includes the number
of times and dates on which it has been washed as well as the detergents
and conditions used each time. The recorded data is readily retrievable.
Laser paint and radio frequency do not depend on barcoding. Data can be retrieved
even when the garment is out of sight, or distorted by twisting. Both systems
have been tested after 100 washes, and show no degredation. Laundry management
can track and recall individual items from a conveyor system, or even in
a bundle.
Liquid carbon dioxide was originallyused by Ratheon to super-clean optics
for weapon systems and nuclear components requiring zero residue tolerance.
This space-age technology has been adapted by both Global Technologies and
Micell Technologies as an alternative dry cleaning solvent. Both systems
use carbon dioxide from industrial processes and are environmentally neutral.
The key to liquid CO2 cleaning lies in the detergent used. In the Global
Technologies system, the DryWash fluid contains liquid carbon dioxide plus
detergent(s) and a fragrance. The DryWash fluid is delivered as such, complete,
to the individual dry cleaner's storage tank. In the Micell system, the Liquid
CO2 can be purchased where desired. The unperfumed detergent(s) are added
separately into the wash wheel,where they are homogenized into solution in
the CO2. This gives the dry cleanerthe option of regulating the amount of
detergent used.
According to Dr. Joseph DeSimone, Chairman and Co-founder of Micell Technologies
and Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of
North Carolina, his machine incorporates a rotating drum which tumbles the
garments. Dr.DeSimone believes that such agitation is critical, since there
is a constant exchange between the vapor and liquid CO2, which facilitates
better soil removal. Hefurther believes that a machine built around tumbling
action, allows for increasing the size of the washing drum, if desired. According
to Dr Julius Lakritz,Director of Technologies for Global Technologies, the
DryWash machine has no tumbler. The clothes are moved rapidly as nozzles
emit pressurized jets of liquid DryWash fluid. These jets alternately flex
and relax the clothes which as Dr. Lakritz points out, shakes dirt loose
from the fibers. Interestingly enough, the DryWash technology has been licensed
to several equipment manufacturers, at least one of which is has decided
to use a rotating basket similar to Micell. These are some of my first impressions
from Clean'99. I will be covering other concepts in future articles. Readers
are invited to submit questions concerning the technology exhibited at the
show.
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