Casino Air

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Why Our System Works...A discussion of tobacco odor and gas removal

Before addressing the superior performance of injected ozone at controlling tobacco odors and VOCs, it's first necessary to evaluate and compare existing technology. The conventional approach utilizing ventilation rates at or above ASHRAE's 30 cfm per occupant standard, also known as "dilution is the solution to pollution," works well on particulate matter. As displacement with fresh air disperses the particles, they become less visible under the intense lights of the casino. Because of the size of the particles relative to their mass, it is also possible to "push" them out of the casino to be vented or exhausted into the atmosphere with the force of the airflow created by the HVAC system. Dilution is far less effective with the gases and VOCs than it is with visible smoke because, simply, gas molecules are vastly smaller than dust particles and behave differently. They don't "cooperate" with airflow as well as visible smoke does. The gas/VOC load in casinos takes two forms: 1) the live load generated by the dynamic occupancy within the casino; 2) "empty odor" which results from the adsorption/off-gassing cycle of the finish surfaces. These surfaces adsorb tobacco odors and VOCs during peak occupancy periods, and release them into the casino atmosphere during times of low occupancy. Over time, the threshold odor-VOC level at equilibrium rises. This is why casinos smell like tobacco smoke even when they're empty, with the strength of the empty odor rising in step with the age of the casino. Dilution to ASHRAE's standard, combined with the airflow patterns discussed below, can lessen the dynamic odor/VOC load during all but high occupancy periods and slow the rate at which the empty odor equilibrium level rises. Nevertheless, the casino still smells heavily of smoke during high occupancy periods, and the empty odor still increases over time, even though at a somewhat slower rate. Inline activated carbon banks are very effective at removing odors and VOCs which are drawn through them and would presumably also reduce the rate of empty odor increase. But the manufacturers' spec for carbon in heavy smoke applications is one 50 lb. carbon bank per 2000 cfm of gross air movement, replenished on a 30- to 45-day cycle. We once ran a ten-year replenishment cost model of activated carbon for a tribal casino with a 250,000 cfm HVAC system, and the expense ran in excess of $3,000,000. Another approach to controlling tobacco odor is the injection of perfumes into the ventilated space, either in the supply airstream or by a separate system which mists the masking agent directly into the air in the casino. This approach has several flaws: 1) the dynamic odor load is still present, it's just hidden, so customers may not be as cognizant of smoke smell while they're in the casino, but their clothes still reek of tobacco when they leave; 2) this technology adds VOCs to the empty odor (embedded) load adsorbed in the finish surfaces and over time, results in a combination of perfume and cigarette odor that's potentially even more offensive to the olfactory nerve; and 3) many of the people who are most sensitive to tobacco odors and VOCs are equally as sensitive to the VOCs in the masking agents, so for many customers the masking agents actually make the problem worse. In recent years, Clean Air Systems has perfected a new technology -- which is actually an old technology -- with great success in the gaming environment. Casino Air technology For the purposes of reducing gases, odors and VOCs in gaming establishments, ozone has numerous beneficial properties: 1) It oxidizes almost every VOC it contacts, reducing odor molecules and VOCs by 80 percent or more and converting the vast majority of them to harmless oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor. The odor compounds that most people associate with tobacco odor are relatively simple molecules with weak bonds, which ozone destroys instantly on contact. 2) Ozone is the only way to overcome the "empty odor" effect. During low-occupancy periods, the ozone oxidizes the odors that are embedded into the finish surfaces. Over time, it completely removes the embedded odors. 3) Ozone sterilizes air handlers, cooling coils, heat exchangers, ductwork and other areas where Legionella and other bacteria and viruses thrive, also reducing the frequency of duct cleaning. 4) It is introduced into the ventilated space through the supply ducts, so it is equally distributed throughout the space and "seeks out" odors and VOCs everywhere, rather than working on only those pollutants which are drawn through it like carbon and other sorbent filtration media. 5) Operating expense is minimal. There is no adsorbent medium to replenish, no filters to replace. The generators require only quarterly cleanings and last for many years. 6) If ozone finds nothing to oxidize, it reverts back into oxygen within 15 to 20 minutes. No accumulation occurs in the air; no toxic or hazardous residue is left to clean up or be disposed. Clean Air Systems has engineered its ozone technology to be triple fail-safe. Each and every ozone generator in our systems has an on-board microprocessor and sensor which ensures that indoor air quality is optimized with totally safe levels of ozone. Government agencies have established tolerance standards for human exposure to ozone. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration limit is 80 parts per billion (ppb) for eight hours per day/six days per week exposure. The Food and Drug Administration sets its standard for 7-day, 24-hour continuous exposure at 50 ppb. Clean Air Systems programs its microprocessor to shut the ozone generator off at 50 ppb. Monitor or sensor failure also terminates ozone generation. Typical levels inside a casino when the ozone system is in use are in the 20-30 ppb range, almost always lower than the atmospheric ozone level outside. Why our systems works....1) It is the most effective way to reduce tobacco smoke odors, gases and VOCs in businesses which cater to smokers, as well as to remove the carcinogens which permeate finish surfaces inside the occupied space over time. 2) It is the only way to reduce and, over time, eliminate the "empty odor" created by odors and gases being adsorbed into, and off-gassed from, the finish surfaces in casinos. 3) It is the least expensive method to purchase, operate and maintain. 4) It offers additional benefits such as sterilization of ductwork and condensate drip pans that no other technology provides. Why Our System Works PDF