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AJT
Associates, Inc. (AJT), of Cape Canaveral, Florida, worked with NASA
to develop a revolutionary ozone-based laundry system. Through the
transfer of space technology, AJT's TecH 2 Ozone® wash system
presents its customers with an energy-efficient, cost-effective,
and environmentally safe way to perform commercial laundering. AJT
was under contract with NASA's Kennedy Space Center to perform studies
for the Solid Rocket Booster Parachutes used in the Shuttle Program.
Once the boosters detach from the Shuttle during the launch, parachutes
open to prevent the booster from falling to the bottom of the
ocean, making booster retrieval relatively easy. However, the
parachutes must be treated and repaired before they can be used
in another launch. This job is performed at Kennedy's Parachute
Refurbishment Facility (PRF).
The area surrounding
Kennedy is part of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and
is composed of fragile wetlands and forest. Under a permit issued
by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, parachute
rinse water was discharged into the drainage ditch, which emptied
into the wetlands. As the permit approached its renewal date,
Kennedy staff decided to investigate methods to recycle the wastewater.
AJT conducted a bench study to evaluate the purification and
reuse of the deck and wash waters of the PRF. A test unit designed
to measure the effectiveness of various water purification systems
showed potable water used at the PRF retained chlorine, which
would require removal prior to discharge. Kennedy personnel determined
that a closed-loop water reuse system would not only be more
cost-effective than continued treatment and discharge, but would
also be more environmentally responsible. Although AJT's treatment
and reuse system initially used at the PRF was replaced by Kennedy's
regional wastewater recycling approach, it was eventually adapted
and used at a number of other facilities and commercial systems
at the Center.
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This version of the
commercial laundry system shows the ozone generator mounted beside
the laundry machines with the unit controllers mounted on top
of the washers. |
The research
and design that went into the AJT system led to the creation
of TecH 2 Ozone, the machine manufactured by AJT for commercial
laundry facilities. While performing the study for the design
of the system at the PRF, AJT recognized the sanitizing abilities
of ozone. Ozone is reactive and short-lived, yet resists mixing
and solution. These characteristics presented a hurdle in obtaining
the level of ozone required to successfully treat the water.
AJT's answer to the problem was the development of contact columns
to be inserted in the wash tanks. The columns allowed for the
proper transfer and concentration of ozone to be added to the
water. This is the revolutionary technology behind the success
of TecH 2 Ozone. Not only was the proper solution of ozone achieved,
but levels could now be measured and adjusted according to various
tasks--such as more ozone for dirtier laundry.
TecH 2 Ozone
significantly reduces the amount of water and chemical used as
compared to traditional commercial laundry systems. This reduction
has resulted in lower cost and shorter wash cycles. And due to
the reduced use of chemicals, a significant portion of the rinse
water is recycled back into the system for reuse.
TecH 2 Ozone
customers, such as hotels and other large commercial laundry
facilities, have felt the benefits of this equipment. Because
of the reduced cycle times, fewer washers are needed and there
is a notable increase in the cleanliness of the laundry. Customers
are particularly excited about the ironing time saved due to
the generation of fewer wrinkles through TecH 2 Ozone's use of
cold water, and the fact that colored and white laundry can be
washed together without fear of bleeding dyes. Fabrics cleaned
with TecH 2 Ozone are fluffier and more absorbent, making towels
softer and more comfortable to use. The reduction in chemical
residues is a boon to those with allergies and to those prone
to skin irritation from chemicals retained in regular laundry.
Vice President Richard Wood says, mThis also has the potential
to reduce bed sores for those who are hospitalized for long periods
of time, since bed sores are often caused by an interaction of
perspiration and alkali residue in bed linens.
| A chemical sample is
cleaned in the laboratory using ozone. |
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Along with
dramatic reductions in chemical costs, customers save tens of
thousands of dollars each year due to reduced energy use and
water consumption. Return on investment for hotels and commercial
laundries is 18 to 24 months, with a 50 percent cut in overall
costs.
Agrimond L.L.C.,
the AJT company responsible for selling the TecH 2 Ozone system,
is approaching the commercial laundry marketplace with great
excitement. They believe this space age technology will become
the industry standard because of tremendous cost savings, environmental
benefits and increased product quality. And it all started with
a bench study and a system designed to solve a water contamination
problem at Kennedy's Parachute Refurbishment Facility.
TecH 2 Ozone® is a registered
trademark of Agrimond, L.L.C.
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