"Activated oxygen" improves air quality
Occasionally, very simple things can lead to major productivity improvements. Such is the case with air quality in offshore facilities. In both Norway and UK North Sea operations, viruses and bacteria, spread by coughing and sneezing, have produced as much as 30% more illness offshore than for similar operations onshore.
This is due to poor ventilation of facilities caused by the need to conserve energy through recirculating heated air during winter and recirculating cooled air in the summer season. Cabin odors can also be quite strong on offshore oil facilities. With multi-man cabins and dual 12-hr work shifts, close quarters are conducive to spreading disease. This lowers the quality of life for all offshore workers.
The costs of illness offshore are considerable. The obvious cost is lost work effort from the affected workers as well as the added strain on other workers who must step-in for the sick worker. Additional costs include replacement crew members and the helicopter or ship time to transport workers to and from shore. Thus, major cost savings are possible by removing the causes of illness born by poor quality air.
To combat these productivity and health hazards, the air in the facility must be disinfected and conditioned on a regular basis. E.C.T. Offshore Service has developed small devices the size of a mobile phone to produce small quantities of "activated oxygen" (ozone) to kill airborne viruses and bacteria as well as overcome common odors. The company has also developed ozone detection sensors to automatically adjust the conditioning level, maintaining it at 0.02 ppm or less.
This is a level where there are no negative effects to the human body or the general environment. It is the naturally occurring level of ozone in outside air.
The only alternative is using strong ultraviolet light as a disinfectant. This process has a negative side effect for workers. Long exposure to ultraviolet light reportedly may induce cancer.
The oxidizing properties of activated oxygen control fungus, mold, germs, and viruses. All these can cause unpleasant odors and disease. By conditioning the air with activated oxygen on a regular basis, worker health and quality of life are improved.
Eurostop Hotels are presently using the system in the restaurants at 50 locations. A three-month test program will be undertaken on BP's Valhall A platform in the North Sea. This program will involve three crews due to the six-week crew cycle. The three-month period will allow for two complete crew cycles. ;
For more information, contact Yvonne Putzig, E.C.T. Offshore Service. Tel: +46 31 53 00 40, Fax: +46 31 53 00 45, E-mail: [email protected].