Abstract: - The Authors, in this article, present a case study reporting the management and economic

comparison between the traditional methods used for sanitizing confined spaces and an innovative process,

performed by trained Operators using a 4.0 machine, created by the same Authors, able to produce and dismiss

dry Ozone (thus replicating the Chapman Cycle which happens in the Ozonosphere) and to emit UVC-rays in

different wave lengths, so providing distinct functions for surface or surface-fabrics sanitization. The machine

represents a significant step forward compared to the current sanitation methods, providing guarantees of

absolute sanitization of the treated rooms at decidedly favorable costs. Contrary to traditional methods it is to

be noted also the full compatibility with critical environments containing elements like paper or electronics. It

makes it possible, as always necessary but even more so in a Pandemic period, to carry out this operation daily,

rather than bimonthly as is currently the case in most residences for the elderly. The case study presented

1 Introduction

This case study is intended also as proof of the

validity of what was described in a previous article,

[1]. The structure is a Nursing Home that hosts an

average of 100 people. Figure 1 shows a typical

floor that has a net size of 516mq and a height of

3.5m. The floors of the structure are four, for a total

of 2,064 sqm useful. Sanitation is currently

entrusted to external companies. The cost paid is

that this number of interventions is largely

insufficient to protect the patients and the personnel

from bacterial or viral infections (including Covid),

to counteract which it is necessary, according to the

medical staff interviews performed, a minimum

can execute his normal activities. Therefore, the

process can be executed part-time by already

employed personnel, not requiring any new cost for

additional personnel.

Fig. 1: Map of the Structure. Floor 1 of 4 equal

floors.

The effectiveness of ozone for sanitization is such

that it has interested the scientific community as

that a 30-second exposure to gaseous ozone renders

99% of viruses inactivated. Furthermore, the latter

are damaged in the proteins of their envelope and

this prevents them from attaching to cells, [3]. In

addition, RNA can also break down, destroying the

virus. These tests have been carried out on different

materials, [4]. Another advantage of gaseous ozone

is that it is a natural compound, [2]. In another

study, [5], is tested the effectiveness of this element

in the sanitization of processing environments for

gaseous form is the one that best reaches all areas,

even those inaccessible to operators. This feature is

also underlined by ISCO3, [2]. The sanitization of

surfaces is considered a critical factor for

contamination and cross contamination, the

disinfection of surfaces can be faced with different

methods as treated by more Researchers in different

articles, [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14],

the two researchers note, is its toxicity. For this

Since the cost of each machine is 4,000€, it can be

deduced that the investment cost to serve the entire

building is 32,000€ (2 machines per floor per 4

floors). Bearing in mind that the cost of a

sanitization treatment for the entire building is 27€,

Spending” illustrated in Table 4, deriving from the

use of external companies. The basic data for the

construction of these tables are described in the

Fig. 2: Cash flow (new equipment)

income-expenditure graph illustrated in Figure 2

(investment / yearly CF), with an exceptional time

The result of the study conducted is largely

years). According to the Management’s mandate,

the impact of the investment on the structure’s cash

flow was then assessed, demonstrating full

sustainability with a widely positive cash flow along

the whole life cycle. The results induced the

Management to adopt the 4.0 technology identified.

This decision was a source of sincere satisfaction for

the Authors as they are convinced that they have

made a positive contribution to the fight against

viruses and bacteria that, in a globalized world, will

analysis also highlight the fact that companies that

deal with sanitization can use the proposed

methodology, to replace the current chemical

products, with clear economic benefits for them and

environmental benefits for Humanity. Also, in this

case, Engineering 4.0 has shown the capability to

provide adequate support to healthcare activities. In

consideration of this, the Authors decided to direct a

significant part of their research to support Medical,