Blog

Published: August 1, 2018

Why did we refresh our logo?

By David Glover | Published: August 1, 2018

Ever wondered what it takes to create a logo?

In the world of business, it’s all about creating that “wow” factor and stating something that characterizes the company.

Being a symbolic sign, a logo is one of the most important parts of a company or project identity. It should combine lots of magic ingredients of success: pure and distinctive shapes and colours as well as being both original and meaningful.

The Plasma Clean Logo

Our has changed a few times over the years.  Plasma Clean was born out of ground breaking research at The University of Manchester. Spun out by its founders Dr David Glover and Professor Christopher Whitehead, the original technology used non-thermal plasma– hence our name.  Following several years of R&D and product development, we launched our first product the Xtract 2100 in 2008. So we believe, 10 years later, is a perfect opportunity to refresh our logo and state our vision.

We are a UK company that produces, sells and installs equipment to create a cleaner, safer environment. All our products are energy efficient, quiet and effective – so we take good care of our environment. For commercial kitchens we have grease, odour and smoke control products and services. We have solutions for large, medium and small commercial kitchens and we work in the UK and overseas.

Our knowledge and understanding are the keys to our success. We offer CIBSE accredited CPD Seminars to consultants and Environmental Health officers. Our professional staff is always ready to give our customers the best service they can get. From consultancy to supply, commissioning and service packages we can help from start to finish.

So, why do famous brands change their familiar logos?

It’s simple: Tastes change with time. It’s all about creating a brand image that’s relevant to your audience.

What did we do?

We just wanted to be clearer about what we believe in. Not only are we odour and infection control, not only do we supply air purification solutions –we create a cleaner, safer environment. In any environment that requires it.

The logo should, of course, be consistent throughout the marketing media platforms of the company. The website, social media, files, presentations, email signatures and so on should say the same thing. Being constant in the eye of your audience is the base of brand awareness and audience preference.

And one last positive note. In a logo, and in life, always be positive. A logo should be fresh & positive with hopeful values and words. As the saying goes, ‘what you say is what you get’.

Happy 10 years of trading Plasma Clean!

Vered Halifa

Marketing Planner

Plasma Clean Ltd

Posted in Food hygiene, Grease control, Odour Control, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments closed
Published: June 21, 2018

Clean Air Day: Reduce kitchen emissions and improve air quality

By David Glover | Published: June 21, 2018

High emissions and low dispersal causes air pollution. Imagine the levels caused by vehicle exhaust emissions in rush hour traffic.  Today is Clean Air Day 2018. We are all responsible for reducing air pollution. It is best practice to minimise air pollution of any kind. Plasma Clean can reduce commercial kitchen pollutants and improve indoor air quality in commercial buildings.

Reduce Commercial Kitchen Emissions

Restaurants and other commercial kitchens exhaust the grease, smoke and other contaminants they produce through their ventilation system. According to DW/172 and DEFRA guidelines, pollution control for commercial kitchen ventilation should reduce:

  • particulate matter (grease and smoke particles)
  • cooking odours
  • surplus ozone
  • heat and noise where applicable

Section 24.12 of DW/172 confirms “many Planning Authorities are calling for high-performance odour control systems to be incorporated from the outset”. As a result, pollution control for commercial kitchens is becoming a necessary component of ventilation design.

Plasma Clean offer a range of pollution control systems designed for commercial kitchens.

UVC light and ozone break down grease and odour molecules. This reduces cooking smells and airborne grease in the duct work. We also have high efficiency canopy filters to stop the grease entering the duct work, reducing pollution and duct cleaning costs.

Improve indoor air quality

UVC lamps can improve indoor air quality.  Plasma Clean UV Coil Clean can be fitted into existing or new HVAC systems. Exposing coils to UVC light maintains optimum heat transfer. This maximises energy efficiency.  Furthermore it reduces transmission of airborne contaminants. Improving the indoor air quality in commercial buildings can keep employees healthier.

CAD 2018 Pledge

How can we help?

The support from Local Authorities and Councils for Clean Air Day 2018 is vast. Clean Air Day is asking schools, healthcare professionals and communities for their involvement. In addition, Global Action Plan, the behaviour change charity behind the Clean Air Day campaign, wants businesses to help. Hence, Plasma Clean are raising awareness. We are spreading the message with our social media campaign and promotional offer.

Delivery emissions

Working with our couriers, we are tackling a key contributor to air pollution. We aim to maximise vehicle fill and route density to reduce delivery emissions.  Consequently, we are offering free delivery on all orders placed between 18th and 22nd June 2018*

*Use promotional code ‘CAD2018′ when you place the order.  Please note this applies to goods shipped within UK Mainland only. Finally goods must be dispatched before 30th June 2018.

In conclusion, to place your order or speak to the team regarding any pollution control or air quality applications, please call 0161 870 2325 or email ask@plasma-clean.com.

Check out https://www.cleanairday.org.uk/Default.aspx for more information.

Posted in General News, Grease control, Odour Control, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments closed
Published: May 25, 2018

Ozone and UVC Odour Control in Commercial Kitchens

By David Glover | Published: May 25, 2018

DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems was published in January this year. Carbon filtration is ‘increasingly not accepted by Local Authorities as the primary means of odour control’. UVC (and ozone) are now the preferred solution to reduce cooking odours.

What is UVC?

UVC stands for Ultraviolet light in the C-band. A very strong type of ultraviolet light. UVC Lamps create high intensity light energy (photons).

Light energy reacts with the grease and odour molecules, causing them to break down. The chemical reaction is known as photolysis.   Plasma Clean use UVC lamps in our Techniclean and ESP/UV ranges.

UVC lamps also create ozone. When ozone is released it oxidises the molecules, in a process known as ozonolysis. Plasma Clean Xtract series create ozone and can be installed directly into the canopy plenum or duct run.  Therefore injecting ozone into the system and reducing cooking smells as quickly as possible.

When to choose UVC or Ozone?

Use ‘Ozone injection’ methods for moderate odour issues. Injection systems connect to the canopy plenum or duct work. Ozone is pulled into the ventilation system by the fan.

Units also known as ‘odour neutralisers’. Ozone breaks down odour molecules. It does not mask smells, it eliminates them. When independently tested ozone (as used in our Xtract units) successfully removes up to 90% of odours. [European Standard EN13725:2003 – Olfactometry.]

For high levels of odour use UVC and install in the duct or canopy.  Within the duct,  UVC light works at a higher intensity. When duct work is constantly exposed to the UVC light, the grease molecules break down. The number of lamps and units is changed to suit the air volume.

Any UVC system also creates ozone. Combining light energy and ozone, Plasma Clean UVC systems create a highly effective odour control system. In addition, light energy stops the build-up of grease in the duct.

Additional factors to consider

Pressure resistance – In duct systems add pressure to the system. Plasma Clean Techniclean units offer maximum efficiency with the lowest possible pressure resistance (<50pa). Xtract series (ozone injection systems) offer no pressure resistance.

Safety – interlock all UVC and ozone systems with air flow. They should never be on when the fan is off. Plasma Clean recommend a fan run on to flush any ozone out of the extraction system and prevent it falling back into the kitchen.

Turn the units off before opening or servicing. Install control panels, including an air pressure switch, to automatically turn the units off when filters and light guards are removed. Especially important for UV systems in canopies.

Ozone control – Surplus ozone requires treatment before it is discharged (DW/172 Guidelines Jan 2018). Especially when the discharge point is at low level (under 5m) or in a sensitive area (i.e. a courtyard, neighbours less than 20m away).

Activated carbon provides ozone control. Carbon breaks ozone (O3) down into oxygen (O2) before it discharges out of the kitchen ventilation system. Activated carbon increases the dwell time, giving the ozone longer to work on the odour molecules. Total number of carbon filters is based on the air volume of the system.

Using with Electrostatic Precipitators

Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) are not a primary means of odour control. ESPs remove particulate matter (such as grease, oil and smoke particles). Consequently an ESP combined with UVC or ozone units is a highly effective ‘pollution control’ solution.

Plasma Clean provide ESPs in various sizes. Available in stacked, double or triple pass arrangements. A complete grease, odour and smoke control in an integrated, packaged unit, Plasma Clean’s combined ESP/UV units remove up to 95% of particles and odours per pass.

Install UVC downstream of the ESP. For canopy UV systems install very efficient grease filters such as Coil Filters. Without adequate grease removal, the UVC lamps become coated and therefore lose efficiency.  Remove larger particles first to ensure maximum output from the UVC system.

Conclusion

  • UVC systems create ozone, use for grease and odour control.
  • Ozone injection for moderate levels of odour whereas in duct UVC treats higher levels of odour.
  • Treat grease and smoke first, then odour.
  • Use ESPs for grease and smoke removal. ESPs have no effect on gaseous odours.
  • Ozone injection (outside duct) or UVC (in duct or in canopy) have a low pressure drop.
  • Size and quantity of equipment is based on air volume
  • Use activated carbon for ozone control (where required).

You can find our more on our Resources page. We also offer CIBSE accredited CPD Seminars on grease, odour and smoke control solutions. You can also contact the team – 0161 870 2325 or email ask@plasma-clean.com

Posted in Grease control, Odour Control | Tagged , , | Comments closed
Published: March 9, 2018

National Apprenticeship Week: My Apprenticeship Story

By David Glover | Published: March 9, 2018

As the end of the 11th National Apprenticeship Week #NAW2018 approaches, we wanted to celebrate our own Apprentice Emrys Hughes!

Recently fully qualified as a Technical Engineer, Emrys talked to us about his Apprenticeship experience.

How and why did you start your Apprenticeship?

After completing my A Levels I did not think that the university route was for me. To learn more on the job and gain hands on experience was more important to me.

I researched apprenticeships and applied through SETA and spent two years as an apprentice welder/fabricator for a crane manufacturer. 

Plasma Clean approached me through SETA and saw the potential benefits I could offer to the business. I have now spent 2 years at Plasma Clean and have not looked back since!

Why do you think apprenticeships work?

The best thing about being an apprentice is the large amount of support and training. Being an apprentice has enabled me to show my potential. It has also pushed me to develop skills such as communication, organisation and project management. Rising to each challenge has increased my self-confidence.  I also enjoy the time I spend in the classroom at college as the course enables me to apply and expand on what I have learnt on the job. 

What’s been your greatest achievement as an apprentice?

One project I am proud of is the complete management of an odour control project. Faced with a notice the owner approached Plasma Clean.  From initial site assessment, to supply and then commissioning of equipment I worked closely with the customer and local council to find the right odour control solution. As a chip shop there was a high level of grease and odour to factor in as well as access and spacing.

We provided our Techniclean UVC– grease and odour control solution. I specified the correct model that enabled a simple retrofit of the UVC tubes to the ductwork. The units were installed and completed to meet the approval of the local council.

The smell was completely removed, Environmental Health were very happy and the customer’s feedback – especially for the service I provided – was brilliant.

Read the case study here.

Next steps…

In the next stage of my career I will be looking to develop even more knowledge. I am also looking to make my way up the Plasma Clean ranks, with the help and support of my colleagues; I’d like to work towards a Supervisor role in Technical Services!

What would you say to someone considering an apprenticeship?

I would say that it is definitely worth it. I believe that an apprenticeship is a beneficial way to learn and develop into a highly skilled professional. The amount of support given is great and also the opportunity that can be created is unimaginable. I would highly recommend an apprenticeship. #worksforme

Over the last two years with Plasma Clean Emrys has successfully completed the Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture. He is now working towards a HNC Mechanical Engineering Qualification.  Emrys is an invaluable member of the Plasma Clean team! Read more here.

For more information on Apprenticeships please visit https://www.naw2018.co.uk/

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Published: February 13, 2018

The Plasma Clean Lent Challenge: Grease free for 40 days!

By David Glover | Published: February 13, 2018

As grease control specialists, here at Plasma Clean, we know that the two requirements for an effective grease control solution in commercial kitchen ventilation are:

  1. High efficiency grease capture equipment
  2. Regular servicing and cleaning

The type and size of equipment and frequency of servicing and cleaning does depend on the cooking application and volume. Whatever you’re cooking Plasma Clean can help you reduce grease, costs and downtime.

But could we get the similar results for ourselves by reducing our own ‘grease’ intake throughout Lent?

The Challenge:

40 days grease and caffeine free.

Why?

As a team we pride ourselves on prompt, personable and positive customer service. Whilst our approachable demeanour is not a chirpiness borne from caffeine addiction, it is true that the Plasma Clean cafetiere sees a lot of action!!

As is traditional at this penitential time of Lent we decided to challenge ourselves. According to The Express last year coffee was one of the top 10 items that Brits ‘give up’ for Lent  (https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/food/880431/Brits-chocolate-cheese-cheddar-brie). For 40 days and nights the Plasma Clean team will be deprived of caffeine. Hopefully with us all abstaining there will be no roasted coffee bean aroma to tempt us! It’s an office-wide vice but I’m sure we can do it.

Not content with a 40 day caffeine free challenge we also wanted to use these 40 days to introduce a new habit and possible lifestyle change. We’re excited to see what impact reducing the greasy, fatty foods in our diets will do for us.

The Aim:

Just as controlling and reducing grease in your ductwork can reduce fire risk, reduce downtime and save money HOPEFULLY cutting the fat and oils from our main meals and snacks will improve our health (and waistlines?), give us more energy and perhaps be more cost effective.

We’ve fruit teas, food diaries and coconut oil at the ready!

We will be reporting back on our findings, and sharing our trials and tribulations as we go, wish us luck!

The Plasma Clean Team

#teamplasma

Posted in General News, Grease control, Odour Control | Comments closed

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