The EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac for Dusty Environments

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment

At EXAIR, we offer a range of systems specifically engineered to deliver a maintenance-free solution for managing spills and debris in your facility. Our product lineup includes systems tailored for liquids and solids, and a versatile option capable of handling both. These systems are designed for longevity, unlike conventional electric vacuums that often require frequent replacements. For applications dealing with dusty materials, EXAIR’s Heavy Duty HEPA Vac is the ideal choice.

The vacuum generator is made from a durable hardened steel alloy that offers excellent abrasion resistance. Its lever-lock drum lid is compatible with open-top drums of 30, 55, or 110 gallons, facilitating quick transfers between drums. This feature enables users to maintain the separation of various materials for recycling purposes, which is advantageous as recycling companies often pay a premium for pre-sorted materials, enhancing the system’s marketability. It is suitable for use with any open-head steel, fiber, or plastic drum that is in good condition, adhering to ANSI Standard #MH2-2004. For customers lacking a suitable drum, complete premium systems that include the drum and dolly are available. Furthermore, all of EXAIR’s filters undergo rigorous testing in compliance with IEST-RP-CC-007, ensuring a minimum filtration efficiency of 99.97% for particles down to 0.3 microns, thus meeting HEPA standards.

EXAIR’s Heavy Duty HEPA Vac features a design devoid of moving parts, eliminating wear and the need for maintenance, and operates solely on a source of compressed air. Additionally, its static-resistant hose mitigates the risk of painful shocks often encountered when handling dry, dusty materials.

The Model 901373 filter protector is an optional accessory designed to extend the intervals between cleaning the HEPA filter and to safeguard it from wear. To maximize the efficiency of your HEPA-rated filters, this protector is essential. It easily fits over the HEPA filter and pre-filter, securing it in place with a straightforward drawstring mechanism.

If you have any questions about EXAIR‘s Heavy Duty HEPA Vac, or any of EXAIR‘s products, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk

Compressed Air In The Wild

Published on by Brian FarnoLeave a comment

Over the past weekend, I had the honor of visiting a local MakerSpace. These types of places are what my dreams are made of. The one we toured had a full metal and woodworking shop as well as a separate area for 3D printing, sewing, standard printing, electronics, and even laser engraving/cutting. Every workstation has an electrical drop and a compressed air drop coming from the ceiling as the area can be used for any number of projects.

Handheld air guns are something that you can find in nearly any and all manufacturing facilities that have compressed air within them. Suppose they are not at every operator station because the machines don’t require compressed air. In that case, they are generally found at the very least within the maintenance department, where they continually keep the facility functioning and may be the only ones in the facility with compressed air.

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Don’t let this happen to your air gun…use an EXAIR Precision Safety Air Gun with a quiet, efficient Super Air Nozzle instead.

Handheld blowguns like the one shown above are easily overlooked when it comes to operator safety and energy savings. Often, the cheapest gun possible is also the most costly regarding ownership and operation. These are just a few of the reasons EXAIR designed the VariBlast Precision Safety Air Gun.

The ergonomic design fits well in any sized hand and the long trigger makes for easy pull and variation in the amount of air being used. The integrated loop allows the tool to easily hang on a tether or hook near an operator station, while the optional Chip Shield adds additional protection for the operator and can be adjusted to any location along the extension. Effective chip guarding is a portion of the OSHA standard for dead-end pressure. Lastly, the extension pipe is offered in three different lengths: 6″, 12″, or 20″ overall length. Each one of these components is also field replaceable in the event one becomes damaged. That means it’s not disposable like the other guns on the market.

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Three different Super Air Nozzle models are available at the end of the extension in two separate materials. You can purchase the Atto, Pico, or Nano Super Air Nozzle in either stainless steel or PEEK thermoplastic for more sensitive applications. These nozzles coupled with our engineered valve design permit the user to vary the amount of air coming out of the gun by pulling the trigger to a higher flow or pulling it slightly and letting less volume of air through.

If you want to discuss whether your current air gun meets or exceeds OSHA standards and how much air it may use versus what an EXAIR VariBlast Precision can do for you, please contact an Application Engineer today.

Brian Farno, MBA – CCASS Application Engineer

BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF

Pneumatic vs Electric Vacuums

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

Most of us think of the electric-powered device that we clean our carpets at home with when we think of vacuum cleaners. The idea of utilizing vacuum in cleaning applications, however, actually predates the widespread introduction of electric power by a couple of decades. The original idea was to marry a manual vacuum-generating device with an existing carpet sweeper that employed a beater brush which turned as the sweeper was pushed across the floor, collecting debris from the floor in its bristles, and depositing it into an internal reservoir. The first “vacuum cleaners” relied on a bellows, piston cylinder, or other such device that was operated by hand, foot – or, according to one source, a rocking chair – to generate a vacuum. It took one person to operate the vacuum-generating part, and another to push the sweeper, though, so they weren’t very popular at a time when folks were generally looking for labor-SAVING products.

Today, of course, the availability of electric power is a given in any industrial or commercial facility, so these manually driven units have long gone by the wayside. That’s not to say that they’re all electrically driven, though – in fact, the most common alternative – compressed air-operated industrial vacuums – are widely used in a variety of situations. Their popularity is due to several key advantages they have over their electric-powered counterparts:

  • No electric motor to burn out.
  • No moving parts to wear or break.
  • No impeller to clog.
The next time you need to replace a failed electric powered vacuum, consider an EXAIR compressed air operated model!

Whether your needs are for a liquid vac, dry vac or both, EXAIR has a comprehensive selection of Industrial Housekeeping Products to choose from. They incorporate a number of features that are quite beneficial in a number of industrial settings:

Filtered exhaust:

  • Heavy Duty HEPA Vacs offer powerful vacuum performance, superior resistance to abrasive materials, and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cartridge filters that are 100% tested in strict accordance with IEST-RP-CC-007 for a minimum of 99.97% filtration at the 0.3 micron level.
  • The EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vacs can likewise be supplied with HEPA Filters as well.

Ease of cleaning:

  • Most EXAIR Industrial Housekeeping Products are designed to fit standard size drums (30, 55, or 110 gallons). The lids for the 30 & 55 gallon models have a simple hand-operated latch ring to facilitate drum removal. The 110-gallon ones have a bolt ring, so you do need a wrench for those.
  • The particulate filter for the EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac is accessed with a rubber-handled latch to lift the hatch & remove the filter.

Cross-contamination prevention:

  • Since they’re made to fit standard-size drums, you can simply remove the lid assembly from any EXAIR drum-mounted Industrial Housekeeping Product and put it on another drum.
  • Drum liners can also be used for different materials. These are readily available from a number of industrial equipment suppliers, and even most hardware stores.

Additionally, EXAIR compressed air-operated Industrial Housekeeping Products have no moving parts to wear, or electrical components to burn out. As long as you supply them with clean air, they’re going to run darn near indefinitely, maintenance free. And since they don’t use impellers, there’s nothing in the way, from the suction tool to the drum, for debris to clog or nest.

Whether you’re looking for a liquid vacuuming system, or something for picking up solid particulate – or both – EXAIR has a comprehensive line of Industrial Housekeeping Products to choose from. If you’d like to find out more, give me a call.

Russ Bowman, CCASS

Application Engineer
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Maintaining Your Compressed Air System

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

A poorly maintained compressed air system wastes energy, increases operational costs, and risks unexpected failures. Common issues include leaks, pressure loss, contamination (like moisture or oil). Studies suggest that up to 30% of compressed air is lost to leaks in an average system, while contaminants can damage downstream equipment or spoil products. Routine maintenance tackles these problems head-on, ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Key Maintenance Practices

  1. Monitor and Replace Intake Filters
    The air compressor draws in ambient air, which is often laden with dust, dirt, and water vapor. The intake filter is your first line of defense, protecting the compressor’s internals from wear. Over time, debris buildup increases pressure drop, forcing the compressor to work harder and reducing efficiency. Check the filter regularly—typically monthly—and replace it when the pressure differential exceeds the manufacturer’s recommended limit (often around 5-10 psid) or at least annually.
  2. Manage Moisture with Dryers and Drains
    Water vapor in compressed air condenses as it cools, leading to rust in pipes, damage to pneumatic tools, and quality issues in applications like painting or food processing. A dryer—whether refrigerated, desiccant, or membrane—is crucial. For smaller systems or point-of-use applications, inspect and clean dryer coils or replace desiccants as per the manual (usually every 1–2 years). Automatic drain traps should also be checked quarterly to ensure they’re removing condensate effectively.
  3. Audit for Leaks
    Leaks are silent efficiency killers. Even a small 1/8-inch hole at 100 psig can cost over $1,000 annually in wasted energy. Conduct a leak audit every 6–12 months using an ultrasonic leak detector. Focus on fittings, valves, and older piping sections, where vibration or corrosion often takes a toll. Repairing leaks promptly can save 20-30% on energy costs. EXAIR’s 9207 can help with this task.
  4. Optimize Pressure Settings
    Over-pressurizing the system to compensate for downstream losses wastes energy—every 2 psig increase adds about 1% to power consumption. Use pressure regulators at the point of use to deliver only what’s needed. Monitor system pressure monthly to ensure it aligns with demand, adjusting as equipment or processes change.

How EXAIR Products Enhance Maintenance and Efficiency

EXAIR’s Intelligent Compressed Air Products are engineered to complement these maintenance practices. Here’s how some specific items can help:

  • Ultrasonic Leak Detector (Model 9207)
    Pinpointing leaks in a noisy compressor room can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. EXAIR’s Ultrasonic Leak Detector uses sound wave detection to identify leaks with precision, even in high-decibel environments. Regular use during audits—say, every 6 months—helps maintenance teams catch and fix leaks early, slashing energy waste. Its portability and ease of use make it a must-have for proactive upkeep.
  • Automatic Drain Filter Separators
    Moisture and particulates in the air stream can clog tools or ruin products. EXAIR’s Automatic Drain Filter Separators (available in various port sizes, e.g., 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ NPT) feature a 5-micron filter and centrifugal separation to remove bulk liquids and debris. The auto-drain feature expels collected water without manual intervention, reducing maintenance time. Replace the filter element annually or when the pressure drop hits 10 psid to keep air quality high and downstream equipment safe.
  • Oil Removal Filter
    For applications requiring ultra-clean air—like electronics assembly or pharmaceutical production—the Oil Removal Filter takes filtration further. With a 0.03-micron coalescing element, it traps oil vapor and fine particles, coalescing liquids for gravity drainage. Pair it with a Filter Separator for a two-stage approach, and replace elements yearly to maintain performance. This ensures sensitive equipment stays contaminant-free with minimal upkeep.
  • Pressure Regulators
    Excessive pressure at the point of use is a common efficiency drain. EXAIR’s Pressure Regulators (included in many product kits) let you dial in the exact pressure needed—e.g., dropping from 100 psig to 80 psig can cut air usage by nearly 20%. Install them downstream of filters for accurate control, and check settings quarterly to match evolving process demands. They’re a simple, maintenance-free way to optimize demand-side efficiency.

A well-maintained compressed air system isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns—it’s about maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs. By pairing routine checks with EXAIR’s engineered solutions, you can tackle leaks, contamination, and over-pressurization head-on. The result? A system that runs smoother, lasts longer, and keeps your energy bill in check. Whether you’re blowing off parts, powering tools, or cooling processes, these strategies and tools ensure your compressed air works as hard as you do.

For more insights or help selecting the right EXAIR products for your system, reach out to an Application Engineer. Let’s keep your air flowing intelligently!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer

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