AmeriVap said its Xtreme Steam machine could be used to replace the chemicals currently used to clean equipment at food plants. Chemicals can lead to faster equipment corrosion. Because it uses steam, the machine's cleaning power can reach difficult places in equipment, production lines, packaging lines, and working areas.

The Xtreme heats superheats water, then electronically releases and directs it as dry steam for cleaning equipment. The portable, self-contained unit heats water to between 220°F (104°C) to 365°F (185°C) for cleaning without use of toxic cleaning and disinfectant agents.

The machine works on the principle that superheated water changes to dry steam vapour, which produces very little moisture.

The dry steam, which contains five per cent moisture, allows a surface to dry almost immediately, removing dirt, degreasing and killing bacteria and other micro-organisms instantly, the company stated.

The technology has a proven kill ratio of 99.9 per cent, the company claimed. The dry steam technology is used by many of the most prominent hospital, pharmaceutical companies and laboratories in the world today, AmeriVap stated.

The machine can be used on wrappers, conveyors-chains, belts, sprockets, scales, sensors, refrigeration systems, electrical panels, circuit boards, gaskets, slicers and dicers, the company stated.