Vivek Engineers for EXAIR -Intelligent Compressed Air Products: EXAIR’s Industrial Housekeeping Wet Vacs: The Reliable Alternative to Electric Vacuums

Exair manufactures a variety of Industrial Housekeeping pneumatic vacuum systems for a range of applications with dry or wet materials. We have systems suitable for use with dry materials only, wet materials only, as well as one capable of handling both wet and dry. For the purposes of this blog, I’m going to focus on EXAIR’s systems designed for use with liquids.

The Reversible Drum Vac is a compressed air operated vacuum system designed to quickly attach to any closed head 30, 55, or 110 gallon steel drum. The high-powered vacuum allows you to fill a 55 gallon drum in less than two minutes. With the simple turn of a knob, the stainless steel pump quickly empties the drum as well.

For thicker more viscous liquids (up to 1400 cP) or for when the application requires lifting the liquid from below-grade sumps, our High Lift Reversible Drum Vac is the best option. Operating in the same manner as the Standard Reversible Drum Vac, the High Lift RDV provides the extra power you need to move liquids from below grade work areas, sumps, or tanks up to 15’ deep. Both the Reversible Drum Vac and High Lift Reversible Drum Vac are offered in a variety of different systems both with and without the drum included.

Another system designed to be used with liquids is the EXAIR Chip Trapper. The Chip Trapper solves one of the most dreaded tasks in any machine shop: cleaning out the CNC coolant sumps. Over time, chips and shavings can make their way up into the coolant lines resulting in a clog. The coolant flow slows down or stops entirely, resulting in premature wear of expensive cutting tools, imperfections in the parts, or unacceptable product finish. When this occurs, if it is even noticed right away, the machine has to be stopped and valuable production time must be spent identifying the location of the clog and removing it. Another problem, one anyone working around CNC machines can attest to, is the rancid coolant smell that is a result of bacteria building up in the stagnant cutting fluid. Regularly cleaning this oil can reduce this smell, prevent premature tool wear or costly shutdowns, as well as extend the overall life of your coolant.

Using either a standard or High Lift Reversible Drum Vac to provide the vacuum source, the Chip Trapper and High Lift Chip Trapper are capable of filling or emptying a 55 gallon drum in less than two minutes. It is able to pick up both the liquid coolant as well as any chips or shavings that are suspended in the coolant. The liquid is forced through a filter bag inside of the drum which contains any solid materials while allowing the coolant to filter out into the drum. Switching the knob on the Reversible Drum Vac and the directional flow valve to empty will allow the clean coolant to be pumped back out of the drum and reused.

The Chip Trapper is available in either 30, 55, or 110 gallon systems. It’ll also come with (2) 5 micron filter bags, other filter bags are also available ranging from 1 micron up to 200 micron filtration. Using a simple detergent, the filter bags can be washed out, cleaned, and reused multiple times. With no motors or impellers to clog or wear out, as well as no electricity requirement or shock hazard.

If you’re looking for a system that can handle both wet and dry materials, look no further than the EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac. The EasySwitch is designed to handle the toughest of industrial cleanup jobs with ease. Available with a standard or HEPA certified filter for dry material, the system quickly and easily converts from vacuum mode to dry mode. Simply lift the latch and remove the filter element when vacuuming liquids. When you’re done, just place the filter insert into the lid and you’re ready to vacuum your dry materials.

Using only compressed air, EXAIR’s Industrial Housekeeping vacuums require no electricity. Without electricity and moving parts to wear out, there is no concern for failed parts, motor failure, or personnel safety associated with the use of electric vacuums in wet environments.

If you’re tired of replacing electric shop vacuums, Exair has the solution you need. Feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you select the best system for your application.