What disinfection system should be installed in a wet production area? Turnkey solutions with Photoclean
The presence of water, steam, or condensation accelerates the growth of mold and unwanted bacteria. This microbial contamination poses a significant risk to product safety and the operations of the food industry. PhotoClean, an expert in UV disinfection of air, explains which disinfection system to install in a humid production area.
What is a wet production area?
This is an industrial environment in which water is present or regularly used in the processes. Examples of wet production areas include:
- areas where raw materials are washed or prepared;
- meat and fish cutting or processing facilities;
- production lines for prepared meals or fresh products;
- the manufacturing and packaging of cheese and dairy products.
Since moisture promotes microbial growth, these environments are prone to contamination. They therefore require a cleaning and disinfection protocol tailored to wet areas.
What are the risks of contamination in a humid production environment?
Water and humidity promote the growth of mold, yeast, fungi, and other undesirable or toxic microorganisms. Furthermore, humidity makes it more difficult to disinfect the air and surfaces. Decontaminating humid industrial environments is therefore a major challenge for professionals in the sector.
The risk of contamination stems from the products themselves, personnel, damp surfaces, or the ambient air. Particulate and microbiological air disinfection must therefore complement equipment disinfection and hygiene protocols.
What are the disinfection systems used in humid facilities of the food industry?
Contamination prevention in the food industry typically involves three approaches:
- surface cleaning and disinfection;
- operators wearing protective equipment;
- air filtration via air handling units (AHUs).
Although these techniques are important, they have their limitations in a humid environment. In fact, traditional filters deteriorate very quickly when exposed to steam or condensation. Worse still, they can become veritable breeding grounds and actually worsen contamination rather than prevent it.
Frequent cleaning of industrial facilities requires the extraction of large volumes of humid air—approximately five times the total volume per hour. This dehumidification process necessitates the installation of large and costly treatment systems.
Finally, without a properly managed compensation system, the airflow cannot be controlled. Even if the room is airtight, the exhaust air must be replaced with filtered air.
Why choose our decontamination system for your wet industrial environments?
The Photoclean air treatment solution harnesses the biocidal properties of UV-C rays, combined with a patented medium that optimizes their effectiveness.
Unlike conventional filters, our decontamination system does not degrade when exposed to moisture. There is no risk of microbial growth inside the device.
Photoclean allows you to perform air decontamination outside of wash cycles and replace the extracted air using a single unit. Thanks to a continuous cycle and an excellent ratio between filtration surface area and filtered air volume, our treatment modules combine performance with cost savings. They eliminate the need for any chemicals and can be adapted to any industrial facility layout.
Request an audit of your wet production facilities to receive a customized decontamination solution.