In the world of commercial laundries, balancing pH levels is critical for achieving clean, crisp, residue-free linen and maintaining equipment efficiency. JayChem recently installed a commercial laundry for a client in Victoria, where our experience and attention to detail uncovered a significant issue that had gone unidentified for years.
At the heart of the problem was a plate heat exchanger, a critical component in many laundries. This device cools down wastewater from washers before it’s sent to effluent, simultaneously preheating incoming fresh water to save on energy costs. During the commissioning phase after our chemical installation, we noticed unusually high pH and conductivity levels in the non-potable water supplied to the batch washers and washer extractors.
To understand the source of the problem, the JayChem team meticulously mapped the freshwater lines throughout the facility. Our investigation revealed that the non-potable water feeding the washers was also running through the plate heat exchanger. Critically, the heat exchanger’s plates were leaking wash water back into the non-potable water line, due to a cracked plate. This contamination led to several issues, including poor rinsing performance, residual chemicals left on the linen and increased utility costs as more water was needed to rinse the linen effectively. Moreover, the facility had historically been using large amounts of Sour (acid) to lower the linen’s pH and Antifoam to control foaming in the press tank, unaware of the underlying cause.
The problem was identified through basic titration and testing, key responsibilities of JayChem’s Technical Specialists during both the commissioning phase and ongoing service and support. Once the issue was discovered, we temporarily isolated the heat exchanger which resolved the immediate problem. The heat exchanger is now being repaired, chemical costs have reduced and wash results have significantly improved. The customer is highly satisfied with the swift and accurate diagnosis provided by the JayChem team.
This case highlights the importance of regular testing and titration against a standardised baseline and detailed problem investigation. It’s not just about maintaining clean hygienic linen, it’s about ensuring the entire laundry process runs efficiently – saving time, money and resources.
By Leigh Crowther.