News Page
Contents

• Parrisianne designs the first dual fuel machine
• Do you need a Permit?
• Choosing your next dry cleaning machine.
• Union P 800 series
• Shirts for profit or quality?
• What you need to know about air compressors
• Environmental Standards  

Parrisianne designs first eco friendly dual energy Union workwear machine

Ian Parris, Technical Director of Parrisianne Ltd was asked by Ivan Kerry of Aspley Workwear Rentals in Nottingham, to supply a new Union L-860 25 Kg Perchloroethylene machine for their workwear rental factory in Nottingham, however, Ivan also had a rather unusual request and challenge; he wanted it to be able to run the dry cleaning machine outside of normal operational hours when the central boiler is not running. on either a central steam supply.  Ivan requested that during the week, from 8.00 am, they would run their central steam boiler as usual, and the new Union 60 lb capacity dry cleaning machine will use steam from that boiler. However, earlier than 8.00 am and on a Saturday's, the boiler is not running and they want to be able to run the dry cleaning machine on electric integral boilers. The cost of running the main central boiler would have been cost prohibitive to have to ‘fire up’ a large boiler just to run the dry cleaning machine. To make this fully automated, it presented several technical problems in the machine design, but Ian Parris overcame them all to successfully design an entirely automated system by a flick of a switch.

By fitting a two position switch marked with ‘steam <> electric’ positions, the operator chooses which operating mode he wants to use.  Then by bespoke use of electrical control and pneumatic valves, Ian designed a system that either allows the use of the mini boiler steam chambers to be used as a steam fed heat reservoirs that are trapped off in a conventional manner to condensate return. Alternatively, in the electric mode position, the boiler chamber condense is stopped, the chamber is filled with water to the correct level, electrical elements are activated and the same chamber is now used as a normal electric element steam generator.  The electric generator makes use of a fully automated water filling system to maintain the correct operating water level when required to do so. The change-over from a steam fed operation to a stand alone all-electric concept is fast, simple and very user friendly.  The double whammy of energy efficiency of this unique machine includes the drying chamber heating that is entirely fed by what would be normally, waste heat of distillation. This is a first for industrial work wear machines, says Parris. This brings the power and energy demand of the machine down by an incredible 40%. Union L-860 workwear machine installed in Aspley Workwear Rentals, Nottingham This machine is used for heavily soiled and greasy overalls producing vast amounts of solvent to be distilled. I have used this heat of distillation to the advantage of drying. In doing so, all of the heat at 120 deg C in the ascending solvent vapour line moving towards the condenser is re-directed into the drying tunnel supplying 100% of the required heating. This not only saved heating costs but also saved condenser cooling water.  The machine has now been in use since 16th July 2005 and is proving to be extremely reliable, and easy to operate exactly as we wanted say's owner Ivan Kerry.. Ivan Kerry, is also ex-president of the TSA, say’s, I am more than impressed. Having thought again about what I had asked Ian to do, I never dreamt for one moment that it could be done without a hitch. It works perfectly, I can operate this machine electrically in the morning before my main boiler pressure is available. This gives me an extra load every day as well as the possibility of extra loads on Saturdays.

 Do you need a SED permit ?

At a glance: Permit Conditions’ taken from the PG notes 6/46 (04): 
 New & Substantial Changed Installation will mean: Where no dry cleaning machine previously existed and/or where a machine is added or exchanged and emissions
are increased.
An Existing installation is one that existed before April 2001
 

.*Note: New or Upgraded Used totally enclosed machines, supplied to an existing Installation after April 2001 is not considered a New or Substantial changed installation, even if the capacity is increased

Environmental Standards      

EcoSolv^® drycleaning fluid is 100% hydrocarbon-based, and its flash point lies within the standards for Class IIIA solvents (above 140 °F and below 200 °F). To the drycleaner, this means that the product can be used in a dry cleaning machine and processes designed for hydrocarbon solvent.

Parrisianne are very aware of environmental issues involved with the drycleaning industry and we need to strive to be as "green" as possible. Parrisianne are amongst  the first dry cleaning supply companies to promote the use of EcoSolv drycleaning fluid in the UK.

The technology involved in Ecosolv is hydrocarbon so all currently available hydrocarbon detergents and propriety spotters are compatible. The advanced technology and years of development in these products is beneficial to Ecosolv users. EcoSolv^® drycleaning fluid is manufactured by Chevron Phillips (USA), it is used world wide but in some European countries, under different names.

Exact quality refining has proved to be beneficial in many ways, the results are far more environmentally and operational friendly than other available hydrocarbons.  The result of this technology means, Ecosolv can clean clothes much easier, better and faster than other hydrocarbon and silicon solvent with the same odourless cleaning mildness, and fabric softness and feel.

• EcoSolv Makes Whites Whiter and colours Brighter
• Ecosolv Cleans delicate classification fabrics
• EcoSolv Does not remove the Natural Products from Your Clothes
• EcoSolv Leaves Your Clothes Looking and Feeling New
• EcoSolv Leaves Virtually no Odor After Cleaning
• EcoSolv is Gentle to Accessories, Special Trims and Buttons
• EcoSolv is Environmentally Friendly - Producing only recyclable Waste.
• Ecosolv will Flush out Spot Treatments and emulsifying detergents.

The general public will be interested to know that Ecosolv cleaning fluid is reused, recycled, filtered and distilled to remove impurities. All waste by-products derived from this process to include detergents and spot removal products are collected by licensed waste recycling companies.

Ecosolv dry cleaning fluid is extremely operator friendly and 100% Biodegradable.

It used the same class 111A machine but cleans a lot better than Silicone GreenEarth solvent.

Do you have an AIR COMPRESSOR ?
What You Need Know

·         Written Schemes of Examination. (WSE)
These are a requirement under the 'Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000', the consolidated and updated replacement for the 'Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989'. Almost all compressed air systems fall under the category of a 'Minor System' and will require a formal Written Scheme of Examination (WSE), which must be signed off by a Competent Person. A Competent Person for a minor compressed air system will typically have an HND or Degree in Mechanical Engineering and should have worked for a minimum of 5 years in the (compressed air) industry. This is a requirement of the H&SE. The person that physically draws up the WSE need not be of chartered status (or equivalent) so long as that person acts under the direction and supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced person. It is important to note that a WSE is not worth the paper it is written on if it has not been signed by a Competent Person.

·         The maximum fine for not having a WSE for a minor compressed air system is £20,000 in the Magistrates Court .

·         Construction (Design and Management) (Amendment) Regulations 2000.
These modified regulations re-define the duties of the designer and apply to projects which include 'the installation, commissioning, maintenance of compressed air systems which are normally fixed within or to a structure.' The regulations require the user to appoint a Planning Supervisor who shall ensure that the regulations are applied to each respective stage of the contract. The penalty for not adopting formal CDM Regulations during a compressed air project is another £20,000 in the Magistrates Court .

·         Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 (SI1999/2001).
PED is the EEC Directive, and the UK conduit for implementing the directive is the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999. The regulation became law in the UK during November 1999, however a transitional period has been granted so that it will not become mandatory until May 2002. PER 1999 will require a supplier to document and demonstrate that 'pressurised assemblies' are safe, have been designed & manufactured according to sound engineering practice, and bear specified markings. This regulation may curtail the activities of many 'plumbers', because depending upon the size of the pipe and the pressure of the system, they will be required by law to have in place a formally certified ISO9000 Quality Control System administered by a UKAS accredited inspection body. Indeed, some even larger systems will require the use of 'Notified Bodies' to ensure the final safety of the assembly.

·         Water Resources Act 1991.
This legislation directly affects all compressed air users. It is absolutely prohibited to pour condensate from a compressor (lubricated and oil-free alike) down a fresh water drain, or to discharge the condensate on to the ground. The penalty is a maximum £20,000 fine in the magistrate's court.

·         As every type of compressor produces condensate, this small piece of legislation affects every compressed air user. The condensate must be cleaned to the standards applicable to the local water authority, then the condensate can be discharged down the FOUL DRAIN.

·         Regardless of the cleanliness of the condensate, it is an offence to pour the condensate down a rain water drain. Another point to beware of is local bylaws. Some areas may also prohibit the use of zinc plated pipe work, therefore before selecting materials for the water/condensate system - it's always best to check.

If a compressed air receiver is not drained regularly, an oily condensate build up will starve the system of air and create an acidic and corrosive mixture attacking valves and cylinders on the dry cleaning equipment.

Products coming into contact with the compressed air also tend to smell of oil.

 When oily condensate is discharged from a compressed receiver, it must be processed before disposal into a drain.
If an air receiver is continuously discharged onto the ground, the resultant pollution can lead to a heavy fine and even imprisonment under the Water Resources Act 1991.

To solve this problem a level sensing drain to automate the draining of the compressed air receiver can be installed.

To ensure that oily water condensate is properly processed before disposal we can install a purpose manufactured separator.
The automated version of this equipment drains compressed air receivers, separates the sediment and oils and then purifies the water. This will 100% ensure your compliance to legislation control. They operate only when there is condensate present and do not waste the compressed air storage any more than necessary which is considerably less than a manual blow down system.

How they work.

A pressure relief chamber separates oily water condensate and expanding air. The condensate then passes a sedimentation compartment, which is easily removed for cleaning. The next step is to separate the oil from water using a coalescing foam. The free floating oil is siphoned off into an oil can. The water is then further purified by hydrophilic materials  and carbon filter to remove any remaining oil trace. Pure water is then ready for normal disposal.
The concentrated oil and sediment content is appropriately disposed of as a controlled waste substance.

Level sensing air receiver drains and oily water separators are just two of the products available from Parrisianne to provide to dry cleaners an economical and effective compressed air condensate management system.
 

• Laundry Cleaning Today

Choosing your next dry cleaning machine.

Dry Cleaning in solvent perchloroethylene is still the most popular choice for dry cleaners while the cleaning ability of a solvent remains to be the main issue. Perchloroethylene is the benchmark of drycleanability in the UK.

Because of environmental issues, perchloroethylene could be phased out. When, is not decided in Europe.  The introduction of alternative and more environmentally friendly solvents like Ecosolv, will inevitably add to the possibility of its demise.

It would be wrong to assume major complications exist with alternative solvents. Use is simplified by time and development and the fact is that alternative solvents are useable in a one class machine design having vacuum distillation, nitrogen safety standby, this class 111A machine concept is a well perfected versatile machine.

The ability to flush out proprietary formulated stain removal  kit  treatments in perchloroethylene machine systems has evolved. It was encouraged by manufacturers to be a short cut asset to dry cleaners because they are flushed out by the more aggressive solvent power of perchloroethylene, within the machine. This asset is not duplicated in kits for alternative solvents like silicone.
Because of this disadvantage, many dry cleaners will have to re-skill or at least become better skilled. Manual flushing out and drying off kit stain removal formulations will have to be a general practice on the spotting table before garment are put into the machine. This technique will not be new to a few remaining “old school” dry cleaners, but is a stumbling block to most new comers'.

Not to swell natural fiber during the solvent washing process is a fundamental requirement of DC solvents. All modern solvents will meet this criterion.

The KB value is a measurement of grease/fat solvency power; all 'alternative solvents' have less solvency power than perchloroethylene but this alone should not be considered too detrimental in the clothes care industry, it offers advantage to sensitive fibers. In comparison, water after all has zero solvent power. It is detergent activity that becomes the most important.

Hydrocarbon and silicone solvents are less aggressive because they have lower solvency power, (degreasing qualities), they requiring longer wash times and longer drying times. This potential disadvantage is minimised by Union machine design & technology but not completely eliminated. Busy shops changing over to class 111A alternative solvents will have to up-grade the machine size to compensate for longer processes.

Class 111A machines consume more cooling water and heat energy. Operating costs will increase by a minimum of 10%, .

Class 111A machines are more expensive to manufacture and purchase.

Of all solvents available, Ecosolv offer most benefits. It is well suited for environmental issues, it is odourless, chemically stable, non-toxic, non-corrosive, fabric safe, not an irritant, leaves a soft handle. With these advantages, it is predictable that perchloroethylene could have a limited lifetime, not because of the environment issues so much as dry cleaners preferences.

Unfortunately, the big decision time is all too frequently influenced by price rather than benefit. If your preference is to stay with perchloroethylene, the good news is, you will be free to stay with it for a long while yet.

• Laundry Cleaning Today

 Union have moved into next century

 Perchloroethylene machines are now very sophisticated in meeting the demands of world wide markets, SED and other environment and customer requirements. The latest Union 800 series 4^th generation perc Union machine slim or wide with a loading capacity range from 10 kg to 40 kg, is like no other machine. The design criterion was simply set to have faster more reliable processing with as little operator input as possible. From this criteria came the new, 800 series perc machine in year 2000 with many outstanding abilities.  Capable of completing a 2 bath process dry to dry in less than 33 minutes, this machine is very different. This machine is also capable of producing as little as“40 ppm vapour concentration” at the loading door. Which adds to its remarkable attributes. To support a low operator input criteria, the 800 series boasts many features including self cleaning lint screen, self cleaning button trap, self cleaning cage back plate, button trap drying, filter maintenance during load processing, maintenance free drying control, self cleaning water separator, secondary water separation as a standard feature, automatic hot still waste pump-out, self cleaning base tanks, choice of  no less than 5 different filter combinations, cool refrigerated solvent as well as all the normal and expected features of any well constructed and safe to use Union dry cleaning machine. Visit the Parrisianne perchloroethylene pages to find more

 Resent development to the Union class 111 hydrocarbon / silicone machine has provoked many of the design features that are now incorporated into Union Perc 800 range machines. For example the requirement to optimize the fast drying ability was the prime criteria in Union hydrocarbon machine development. Union had the choice of development direction. The manufacturing resources and experience of the super fast extract speeds using hydraulic suspended cages as one route. This facilitates less drying time by having less solvent to recover. However, this proved to be more expensive alternative and therefore less attractive to the buyer and is also a feature that is potentially more damaging to some delicate textile structures. The suspended cage Union HLM Range machines with super fast extraction speeds are available, but the price do offer sound advantages over the standard fixed cage HL machines. The latest Union HL hydrocarbon machine has a middle extract speed of 500 rpm and drying time as low as 20 minutes using the new 800 series atmospheric pressure drying system using nitrogen gas standby safety technology. All class 3 machine use vacuum for distillation for both safety and the lowering of boiling temperatures.

Other developments includes distillation internal foam detection (anti-black-over) that instantly halts distillation if a risk of black over is detected.

The use of moisture containing solvent improves wet bound soil removal during the washing process. Solvent refrigeration, automatic drying time control, and many other features are standard on these models.  

The additional and more resent development of GreenEarth silicone solvent has added to the further development of the Union HL class 111 machine. Because the specific gravity of silicone solvent is so very close to that of water, the method of separation and subsequent methods that guarantees moisture free solvent had to be very carefully developed. The technology of stopping moisture passage to the distilled solvent storage tanks via the water separators has brought into check one of the most serious recognised problem of bacteria colonisation that plagues class 111 machines. Despite other opinions, it was established by Parrisianne/ Union that distillation or non-distillation technology made no difference to the possibility of bacteria colonisation. It is simply the retention of moisture in the machine that provides the perfect environment for bacteria. The simple approach of maintaining effective moisture removal prevents bacteria problems.

 Union is the senior part of the Italian based manufacturing group (FMB), one of the largest manufacturers of dry cleaning machines in the world. Union are dedicated to the advancement of dry cleaning technology, designing and producing the perfect dry cleaning machine.

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