February 2024

COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARD AND SELF-CLEANING FILTERS

Posted on February 16, 2024 - Drum Top Vacuums, Filters, HEPA

Our Vactagon Drum Top Vacuums are known for being the best 55 Gallon vacuum you will ever own. The best vacuum must always give consumers options with air input, air flow, inches of Hg, tool kits, and filtration. Filtration is a vital component based on the type of materials being cleaned up, the longevity of the filter, and the maintenance necessary to keep said filter clean. Whether working in a foundry, a construction site, or cleaning room, utilizing a self-cleaning filter can be a vital time saving option on just about any of our drum top vacuums.

Self-Cleaning Filters

Our newest advancement in the Vactagon Drum Top vacuum is the BlowBack Filter Cleaning System. As stated above, standard filters require regular maintenance and time to ensure the longevity of them. Our new BlowBack Filter Cleaning System can eliminate the need for regular maintenance with the pull of a knob. Upon pulling, the BlowBack system does precisely what its name states, blows-back. Any dust and debris caught on the outside of the filter is thrusted off and sent back to rest on the bottom of our 55-gallon vacuum container.

This blow-back tactic is important to the longevity of the filter because regular maintenance is only performed on a filter when the vacuum itself is cleared of its accumulated materials. The BlowBack system has the option to regularly thrust aside dust and debris, ensuring a more consistent and time efficient cleaning of the filters. Most importantly, you don’t need to take apart your vacuum to clean the filters on a regular bases. Our Vactagon vacuums make it easy to clean your filter using the power of air.

Standard Filters

General maintenance occurring each time materials are emptied out of the vacuum extends the vacuums filters shelf-life. This general maintenance could be cleaning your old filter or adding a new filter altogether. It is important to note that HEPA filters are not supposed to be cleaned. Cleaning a HEPA filter is detrimental to the tightly woven fibers resulting in a less effective blocking of microns. HEPA filters are not inexpensive, this means regular removal of materials within the vacuum is suggested.

Self-Cleaning Filter System or Standard Filter System?

Each of these filters provide and promote nothing but the highest quality in cleanup and user safety. Our new Blowback (self-cleaning) system cuts out much of the time required for regular maintenance, resulting in greater longevity of your filters. Our standard filters are of utmost quality, but if you’re looking for a time-conscious option for your next drum top vacuum, think Vactagon.

For a new Blowback Filter Cleaning System or any questions regarding our filters, or any of our other products, contact us.

KST VALUES: HOW INDUSTRIAL VACUUMS SUBDUE THE HAZARD

Posted on February 16, 2024 - Drum Top Vacuums, Industrial Vacuums

Your first question is probably what is a Kst value? Kst is better known as the dust deflagration index. This value is one outlined by OSHA as a parameter for granting merit to the severity of a dust explosion. Once testing the dust in a facility, it is then determined how severe an explosion would be if one were to occur. There are four different Kst classes that a facility can fall under; those being:
Measuring the Kst of a facility is a common component of a dust test. Dust tests are performed regularly to determine the risks individual workers are exposed to in facilities; but also, to determine the actions needing to take place in order to decrease the chances of an explosion occurring.

Dust Exposure Class	Kst	Characteristics	Material
St 0	0	No explosion	Silica
St 1	>0 and = 200	Weak explosion	Powdered milk, charcoal, sulfur, sugar, zinc
St 2	>200 and = 300	Strong explosion	Cellulose, wood flour, polymethyl acrylate
St 3	>300	Very strong explosion	Anthraquinone, aluminum, magnesium

With this being said, Kst values are benchmarks. They give a rough estimate of the chances of dust being a potential explosion hazard. Upon receiving a Kst value, a facility sometimes believes that if it is low, then they are not at risk of an explosion. However, it is the exact opposite. Kst values are given to understand the imminent threat, but when a facility receives a St 1, they believe there is no threat of explosive dust.

Kst Is an Estimate

OSHA provides us with the facts that Kst is the relative explosion severity compared to other dusts, estimated based on the anticipated behavior of dust. Since Kst is an estimation based on the anticipated behavior of dust, in the right environment, with the right hazards, a low Kst value explosion could cause severe damage.

The severity of dust explosions is based on how much dust there is, and how quickly it accumulated. To ensure your facility does not run the risk of an explosion, regularly clean your facility with a Vactagon drum top vacuum. These machines are portable and easy to move industrial machines that can handle the explosive nature of dust. However, if your facility finds itself ranked with a Kst value of St 0, you should have no imminent threat to explosive dust.

Not All Materials Have the Same Kst

Kst values vary based on the materials, environments, and many other factors. The typical Kst value of wood dust ranges anywhere from St 0 to St 3. Characteristics of this wood dust’s size, moisture level, and shape can have varying effects on an increased Kst value.

During the manufacturing process, the physical characteristics of materials are changing rapidly, making them more of a threat to worker’s health and safety. Testing your facility to discover what kinds of hazards are present is vital to worker’s health and the longevity of your facility.

Allow us to assist you after discovering your Kst value by removing the imminent threat of dust. Our Vactagon drum top vacuums are equipped with removing combustible dust or conductive metals from your facility. Purchase one of our drum top vacuums today.

INDUSTRIAL VACUUMS DURING ROOF ROCK REMOVAL

Posted on February 16, 2024 - Industrial Vacuums

Most flat roof industrial buildings and facilities have rocks on the roof. Rocks remain on flat roofs to extend the life of the roof itself. The structure of the roof will consist of several thin layers made of tar, asphalt and/or bitumen material. Pebbles or rocks are spread over this thin layer to protect cracking and peeling from sun exposure or worn down by the elements.

Overall, the rocks and pebbles provide a roof with drain outlets for rainstorms. These outlets are hindered when various other debris fall onto the roof, such as leaves, sticks, and various other organically drifting materials block the drains. The rocks on the roof are an implemented, and protective system for these drains from being clogged by this organic debris.

Similarly, these pebbles and rocks provide thermal protection via rocks heat absorption capabilities. This absorption is enhanced with rocks being able to release heat as well. With the uneven spacing of the rocks on the roof, they provide air space to absorb, disperse, and release heat above the thin roof layer.

The term ballast rock comes from the action of the actual rocks on the roof. While rocks on a roof provide protective systems for drains and ensure heat placement and absorption, but it also sustains the structural integrity of the roof itself. Ballast rock holds the actual roof down ensuring that it does not blow off.

Laying ballast rocks down is vital to the roof’s longevity, as well as replacing the roof itself. If you want to maintain your flat roof and need to replace the rubber roof or need to clean the thin layer of roofing below the rocks, you are in need of an efficient process. The various rock removal methods are stated below:

Traditional Ballast Removal

The most well-known form of rock removal is traditional ballast removal. This removal process begins with shoveling the dirt, gravel, rocks, and access to organic debris from the roof via wheelbarrows, or industrial equipment. This process is the most time consuming, and tedious considering the labor needed to remove the access amount of debris.

Industrial Dry Vacuum Method

The dry vacuum method skips the shoveling and, instead, clears the roof of the rocks efficiently and effectively. This process causes less damage to the roof due to fewer individuals being on the roof. Preserving the thin layer of the roof from the damage that comes with human error is important when deciding between the industrial dry vacuum method, or the traditional ballast removal method.

At Industrial Vacuum Equipment, our line of Hurricane 600 Industrial Vacuums are equipped with wet and dry vacuum methods that assists in the overall cleanup method of rock roof removal. Consider renting or purchasing one of our Industrial Vacuums to assist in your rock removal. Request a quote or request a rental today.

PNEUMATIC VS. ELECTRIC VACUUMS: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Posted on June 16, 2023 - Drum Top Vacuums, HEPA

We pride ourselves in turning a 55-gallon drum into the best vacuum ever owned. Whether its dust and debris, or silica dust and hazardous materials, the right vacuum and drum top vac must be chosen. Two options – pneumatic and electric will garner successful results depending on the required cleanup.

Both vacuums are wet and dry standard operation. However, our electric units have an option for an automatic “high water” shut off; better known as a float switch. Float switches allow for liquid fluctuation to rise and fall ensuring an open or closed circuit. These float switches will monitor the level of liquid within the drum, shutting off the vacuum when the level exceeds capacity. These drum vacuums are perfect for environments containing hazardous fluids.

Don’t have the resources of capabilities to use electric? Our pneumatic vacuum operates on airpower, resulting in a spark-free, electric-free cleaning experience. This drum vacuum is perfect for environments containing combustible materials meeting the criteria for intrinsically safe operation if used in conjunction of a grounding strap and static dissipating hose – no moving parts, non-electric & fully grounded means the unit will not spark and will not generate dangerous amounts of heat.

The list of applications for a pneumatic vacuum is endless, but the top industries that love our tough drum top vacs include silica dust, lead, mold, and asbestos removal, foundries, cleanrooms, packaging facilities, painting and sandblasting, metal dust, commercial wood working shops, and much more.

Either vacuum bought with the High-efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is capable of trapping 99.97% of all airborne particles larger than .3 microns, including silica dust. While airborne particles are an issue, so are complying to OSHA’s standards. Not anymore! HEPA filters meet or exceed OSHA’s silica dust standards.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT: Electric Drum Top Vacs VS. Pneumatic Drum Top Vacs

Our Line of Pneumatic and Electric Vacuums

Vactagon Pneumatic Vacuum Models

The pneumatic vacuum has two models to choose from. The Single-Venturi Vacuum or the Double Venturi Vacuum, both models are available with an optional final HEPA filter. The differences and similarities are, air input requirements, air flow (CFM), inches of Mercury (Hg), and vacuum filtration. The air input requirements from the single to the double is 70 CFM at 65 PSI, to 140 CFM at 65 PSI. The air flow from the single to the double 110 CFM to 210 CFM. The inches of Hg from the single to the double is the same at 12”. The vacuum filtration does not change from single to double, but rather, from the standard (STD) filter to the HEPA filtration.

Vactagon Electric Vacuum Models

Our electric vacuum’s have three models to choose from with a variety of options including HEPA filtration and high water shut off float. These models are: The Single-Motor, and Quad Motor Vacuums. The differences and similarities are, power requirements, air flow (CFM), inches of Mercury (Hg), filtration and the High Water Shut Off Float. The power requirements for the units is as followed: single motor units 110V, 9amp, for the twin motor units 110V, 16amp and for the quad motor units (2) 110V plugs, 16amps each or (1) 220V plug 16amp. The inches of mercury (Hg) from the single to the twin to the quad is the same at 6.5”. The vacuum filtration does not change from single to the twin to the quad, but rather from the standard (STD) filter to the HEPA filter.

What’s it going to be – Pneumatic or Electric?

The decision of an electric drum top or pneumatic drum top boils down to the idea of needing electric or air power. Regardless of your decision, our Vactagon Drum Top Vacuums are nothing but the highest of quality for some of the most challenging cleanup situations.

Browse our Vactagon Drum Top Vacuums and decide if it is going to be Pneumatic or an Electric drum top. Keep in mind if models do not meet your needs, we are open to custom configurations or industrial vacuums for larger products. For further information, or clarification on major differences, contact us today.