On ships which frequently travel in varying climatic zones, the airconditioning systems are subject to particular strain, which makes[ds_preview] constant inspections more important. Dirty airconditioning equipment not only increases the resistance of heat exchangers and therefore the amount of energy consumed, it can also lead to the outbreak of illnesses on board by carrying bacteria.
Studies by the BG Verkehr (the institution for statutory accident insurance and prevention in the maritime industries) and the BGIA (Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance) found out that nearly 50 % of illnesses on board of navy and passenger ships are caused by a lack of maintenance in airconditioning systems.
Imtech Marine in partnership with the Air Solution Group offers a new solution for the shipbuilding industry, which allows a consistently high standard of hygiene to be maintained in the airconditioning system without the need for extensive constructional work. Air Solution technology has been used for room air in sensitive environments like hospitals and facilities of the food industry for almost 20 years.
The new solution for the maritime industry is based on the
use of the active agent L.O.G. 4, which is purely organic and therefore causes no undesirable side effects. L.O.G 4 consists mainly of water, all of the other ingredients are well known by natural products or by daily use. Since it is natural in terms of composition it can be used without any limitations. A comparison of airborne germ measurements before and after the application of active agent L.O.G. 4 shows an immense improvement in respect of germ formation (see chart).
Several reasons motivate Imtech to develop this new solution: The filtration of air can be centralized without affecting its operation range. The L.O.G 4 is mixed in the air which distributes it to the complete duct system and even into the room. So the active agent can work all over the ship wherever a germ might appear. Other active agents, like ions, lose their activity by neutralization after a short period of time. For that reason they can only be used in local applications, and a lot of units are necessary. Easy integration is another advantage of the solution. It is possible to integrate the L.O.G inducer into a standard airconditioning unit or into a standard duct.
Germ reduction is the starting point of the Imtech Marine hygiene management concept. The first thing the technicians do is to carry out microbiological and hygiene status analyses on board. From the collected data they develop recommendations in relation to optimization and set out the measures that could be taken. The final building block is the implementation of an integrated solution, the development of a hygiene management concept with the highest possible standard of hygiene for the specific ship concerned, in compliance with VDI 6022 and VDI 6032 guidelines.
In terms of hygiene the benefits of a flawless airconditioning system are obvious: permanently healthy ambient air without any disturbing odors and noise, along with a pleasant freshness in every room for the greater well-being of passengers and crew alike.
www.imtechmarine.com
www.airsolution-group.com
