November 18, 2010
UK companies launch new air cleaning technology for poultry industry
The UK's Food Chain Innovation and Air Scientifics have launched a new technology to remove micro-organisms from the most crucial areas of poultry production.
The CCFT (Close Coupled Field Technology) technology, adopted from equipment made by Air Scientifics, uses a controlled high voltage field to destroy airborne viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
The equipment is totally safe and provides continuous protection. Unlike traditional methods of ozone generation, ultra-violet light generation, and fogging, there is no need to evacuate areas during cleaning.
"We have trial-tested the equipment in egg stores, vaccine preparation rooms, and transfer/candling areas with excellent results," said Allan Meldrum, director of Food Chain Innovation, who is working with Air Scientifics to introduce this technology to the poultry industry.
"In contained areas such as vaccine preparation room, we have been able to remove 98% of the background microbiological flora. In egg stores we have shown a 50% reduction in the surface swab counts, illustrating how much of the egg surface contamination is airborne," he said.
During hatchery trials different types of equipment have been used according to the type of environment and room size. The equipment is designed and manufactured in the UK with a range from standard "plug and play" units to customised equipment designed to work with existing air-handling systems.
"We have been very pleased with the results, which show just how much can be achieved in improving egg and chick quality by air-cleaning", Meldrum said.
Working with hatcheries in the UK, the team has been able to develop solutions for different hatchery areas, farms, and for specific applications such as in ovo vaccination.
"We are currently working on a couple of exciting hatchery projects and beyond that into logistics," Meldrum added. "Our aim is to protect the entire food chain and in reality the possibilities for this technology are enormous."
