FOOD SAFETY AND STEAM CLEANING The benefits of dry steam
OspreyDeepclean lets us know about the benefits of using dry steam technology in food production environments.
Cleaning and hygiene standards within the food and drink industry are extremely multifaceted and demanding. Companies must adhere to the strictest hygiene and cleanliness criteria to be HACCP compliant, while cleaning and sanitising in ‘dry’ environments and other ambient food production areas all carry their own different risk factors.
A warm, dry production plant, for example, provides an ideal breeding ground for insects such as moths and beetles, but also microorganisms. Historically these environments, including production lines and conveyor belts, have been cleaned using conventional cleaning products.
The irony then, that a water-based technology has been proven to be the ideal tool within these environments, may be somewhat surprising.
Dry steam technology has been proven to not only eradicate product residue, but also remove the biofilm of allergens, germs and other contaminants – all without the use of any harsh chemical substances.
Dry steam technology is a highly efficient and cost-effective means of achieving high standards of sanitation. Supplied as a mobile unit or housed within a stationary cabinet, it’s a versatile solution enabling equipment and machinery to be deep-cleaned in situ, offering increased performance and reduced downtime during product changeovers.
When used in conjunction with a Belt Sanitation Unit (BSU), dry steam can also be used on any type of production line/ conveyor belt without risk of surface damage or risk to electrical or electronic components.
OspreyDeepclean has been providing steam cleaning solutions for over 20 years. Working directly with a range of food processors and producers, from High Care and Low Care to ambient dried food producers. To some the term ‘dry steam’ may sound like a contradiction, as steam is a
byproduct of water and therefore cannot possibly be dry – whilst this is true of conventional steam, by applying further heat and super heating up to 180°C, any remaining water is vapourised and the steam becomes ‘dry’ with very little residual moisture. This dry steam is ideal for use in both wet and dry environments alike, giving unrivalled cleaning and sanitation capability.
Its functionality relies on the synergy between heat and the low-pressure physical steam action, which instantly dissolves grease and dirt, even in normally inaccessible areas. It’s also extremely environmentally friendly – 1L of water converts to 1,600L of high-quality steam, using an average of only 2L of water during a one-hour operation (for a 230V steam machine).
Minimal tooling is needed in addition to an Osprey mobile steam machine; a simple detail nozzle on the end of the hose enables them to be used for a wide variety of cleaning tasks when not connected to a BSU, making them a truly versatile cleaning unit. Physical action is achieved via low- pressure steam spray at 4-10 bar, in combination with gentle agitation by the operator to remove any additional soiling and break down any biofilms.
Heat ensures that the bonding between dirt and surface is broken down, while the heat of steam results in the instant dissolving of grease, grime and dirt. When steam touches a cold surface it expands explosively, loosening dirt, grease and grime, instantly suspending all debris including bacteria, spores and other undesirable microorganisms ready for removal.
After cleaning, any residual moisture and/or soiling that remains on surfaces is simply wiped away, vacuumed or allowed to fall onto the floor for removal by another method.
Using dry steam as a tool for cleaning has become more commonplace in recent years; however, OspreyDeepclean was the first (and still only) company to have conducted a full scientific study to measure the efficacy of dry steam. Their technology was initially tested within hospital environments and validated by the independent research facility TNO in the Netherlands. These findings were applied to other market sectors, most notably the food processing and food manufacturing industries.
OspreyDeepclean also works closely with Campden BRI, who provided the company with validation of their dry steam technology for the positive removal of allergens from surfaces. Dry steam as a cleaning tool is much less aggressive than other more commonly employed sanitation procedures which in turn means equipment lasts longer and operates more reliably, delivering long term cost savings.
www.ospreydc.com 50 | FEATURE
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