Long-Lasting BioSweep Still Going

Talk about long lasting! We just recently had one of our older units back in for repair work.

We were astonished to see the hour meter on this unit has reached over 18,500 hours of use with all original parts!

This is well beyond the ratings for the internal components, yet the BioSweep has kept on working. With some minor repair work from mishandling, the unit has been returned to the field to resume its work in decon applications.

BIOSWEEP added by XACTWARE

This week we were notified by the dominant insurance industry estimating software provider, XACTWARE (http://www.xactware.com/), that BIOSWEEP has been included as a new technology classification for deodorization going forward.

Depending on competing technologies to which it may be compared in their XACTIMATE software, the BIOSWEEP cubic foot service price is at a premium of 20-25% higher than insurance compensation rates for inferior technologies such as ozone generators. CLA variables we have seen range from $.05(/cu ft.) in the Deep South to $.06 in the Midwest, and may be even higher in major metro markets such as New York, Chicago or San Francisco. Check it out.

This is great news for our restoration contractors who serve insured losses. While long-term champions of BIOSWEEP technology, they have til now been forced to negotiate lower daily rates or cu.ft. prices with adjusters in order to be able to use our effective units on a loss. But now the pricing reflects both the owner's investment in our advanced technology and BIOSWEEP's ability to work where other methods such as ozone and foggers fall short.

For those BIOSWEEP Service Providers who focus mainly on non-insurance markets, the opportunity now presents itself for you to sub-contract our technology under restoration contractors in your area who are struggling with a large or problematic loss.

For more information and for Xactimate's specific classification listing of BIOSWEEP, call or e-mail us today!

Harper Jones
12/29/09

BIOSWEEP 900 Gas Output Formulas

We are frequently asked about the output values of Hydrogen Peroxide (H202) and Ozone (03) vapors from our BIOSWEEP product as a mass value. Until now, we have stated only our constant continuous output in parts-per-million (PPM), according to calibrated gas monitors and sensors readings from ATI (their PortaSens C-16). But repeated technical requests for us to estimate these values, in milligrams per hour, have led us to work to publish the following formulas. This will now allow service operators and others to state mass output by inserting their on site output readings in PPM into the following formulas.

MASS EXPORT CALCULATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
Fan Speed 240 cfm X 60 min/hr = 14,400 cubic feet/hour (cfh)
Assumption: 1 cu meter = 0.0283 cu ft
Calculation: 14,400 cfh x (0.0283 cu ft/m) = 407.52 cu meters/hr
Assumption: Air Mass Density= 1.2041 kg /cu meter (20 deg C at 101.325 kPa)
Calculation: 407.52 cu meter/hr x (1.2041 kg/cu meter)= 490.69kg/hr or 490690000 mg/hr

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

Historical Output Range: 25 -33 ppm

Mass of H202 at 25ppm continuous output

Lowest Assumption: 25 ppm~ 0.0025% of air volume
(vapor density of H202 is unknown per MSDS, but assume = air)

Calculation:
49069000 mg/hr X .000025 = 12,267.25 mg/hr H2O2

Mass of H202 at 33ppm continuous output

Highest Assumption: 33 ppm~ 0.0033% of air volume
(vapor density of H202 is unknown per MSDS, but assume = air)

Calculation:
49069000 mg/hr X .000033 = 16,192.77 mg/hr H2O2

Ozone (O3)

Historical Output: 38 to 53 ppm

Mass of 03 at 38PPM

Lowest Assumption: 38 ppm~ 0.0035% of air volume
(vapor density of 03 is 1.7 that of air)

Calculation:
490690000 mg/hr X .000038 = 18,646.22 mg/hr X 1.7 = 31,698.57 mg/hr O3

Mass of 03 at 53PPM

Highest Assumption: 50 ppm~ 0.0050% of air volume
(vapor density of 03 is 1.7 that of air)

Calculation:
490690000 mg/hr X .000050 = 24,534.5 mg/hr X 1.7 = 41,708.65 mg/hr O3

The New BIOSWEEP MODEL 900

PHOCATOX last month launched the newest version of the BIOSWEEP, the 900 Model . This model replaces older versions, such as the most recent, and now retiring, 700 Model (we will continue to service and repair 700 and older units indefinitely). The BIOSWEEP 900 has a number of improvements which have resulted in greater system reliability, greater durability, and drastically increased output. I would like to share some of the details of these improvements with you.

System Reliability- A new solid-state, fully electronic timer switch replaces the older, wind-up mechanical timer switch which, over time, became susceptible to hanging up and sticking in the timer cycle. This occasionally left units running and required manual shutoff as well as extra time for degradation of any residual gases exported from the unit. Also with the new timer, run times are limited to ten hours continuous before the unit must be re-started again, eliminating the on-hold function. Around this, newer and better panel configuration and wiring further ensures protection against control failures. Last but not least, redesigned internal wiring configurations allow for continued (temporary) operation of a BIOSWEEP with one or more failed or even broken lamps.

Greater Durability- In addition to the improved wiring and controls, the new 900 is designed to withstand greater shock than older model units. In older models, our proprietary PHOCATOX UV lamps were bracketed directly to the frame with no shock adsorption. Even moderate bumps and the smallest drop could result in broken lamps, and a ‘down’ unit with a repair and bill on the way. Now all lamps are integrated into an interior proprietary bracket assembly, called a floating core, onto custom-built steel springs. The result is a far more rugged unit which should serve to minimize unintentional and non-warranted damage to the BIOSWEEP.

Increased Output- Ongoing R&D efforts have led to drastic increases in the export levels of H202 and 03 gases produced by the BIOSWEEP 900, which have averaged around 50% higher than the output levels of older model BIOSWEEPs, and we have adjusted our operations manuals accordingly to modify treatment times where applicable. The increased exports of oxidants are attributed to better sources for the custom production of internal electronic components of our proprietary system.

In another upcoming blog post, we will discuss in detail our methodology and formulas used in stating gas output values, including relative ambient temperature and humidity values.

On behalf of the manufacturing and service side of PHOCATOX, we are proud of the way our equipment has become a leading decontamination technology here in the US and abroad, and my partners and I are grateful to have so many qualified and competent service providers.

Harper Jones
Managing Member
PHOCATOX Technologies LLC

Assaulting Odors

I am often asked how the BioSweep destroys difficult indoor odors when most conventional methods prove largely ineffective. I usually receive alternating looks of curiosity and skepticism when I respond, “Advanced photocatalytic oxidation.”

For years, experienced cleaning and restoration professionals have used a wide range of products and techniques to combat odors. Strategies vary widely depending on the odor source and indoor environmental conditions. Whether your weapon of choice is ozone, fogging, air scrubbing, odor neutralizers, disinfectants or deodorizers, one fact remains: odor removal has generally required a well-stocked and diverse arsenal.

Effectiveness is often subjective. “Well, I don’t think I smell the odor anymore…so it must be gone!” Most of us know the frustration of treating an indoor space for an odor problem only to face resurgence a few days, weeks or even months later. Odors are primarily caused by gaseous chemical molecules. These molecules are generally emitted from an odor source on an exposed surface. Often, the odor source will have permeated the porous surface making odor removal more difficult. In these instances, surface cleaning may not fully extract embedded odors. Attempts to lock in the odor source with sealants or coatings make extraction more difficult and raise the likelihood that the odor will become detectable under warm or humid indoor environmental conditions.

While photocatalytic oxidation is a highly effective means of mitigating airborne molecules associated with poor indoor air quality, it is ineffective against surface contamination. This is because PCO air filtration systems can only treat air that passes directly through the air filtration system.

Google photocatalytic oxidation and you’ll find an unusual combination of academic research and technical papers sandwiched between various air purification products. Sadly, many of these so-called PCO products are little more than repackaged ozone generators. More troubling are the sensational claims that often accompany these products and the fact that many of these ozone generators are aggressively marketed as air purifiers to consumers for home use in occupied spaces.

There is a solution: Advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation (APO). APO is an advanced form of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). The BioSweep utilizes APO to attack odiferous molecules at both the airborne and surface levels. Odors embedded in porous surfaces can be easily eradicated. The result is a much more effective weapon in the ongoing war on odor and a must-have in any odor removal arsenal.