Tag: hepa shop vacuum

Dynamic Viscosity and Kinematic Viscosity

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

Dynamic viscosity is the frictional force between the liquid layers.  It is measured with a viscometer that uses mechanical rotational resistance to discs that are placed in the fluid.  They have the units of Centipoise (cP) or Pascal-second (Pa-s).  Kinematic Viscosity removes the density to see how the behavior of the fluid flows.  This type of viscosity is measured with funnels or tubes to see how long gravity will pull the fluid through under its own weight.  The units for this type of viscosity are Centistokes (cSt) or M2/sec. Both types of viscosities are easily changed with temperature.  To convert the kinematic viscosity to dynamic viscosity, you only need to divide the dynamic viscosity by the fluid’s density in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³), reference Equation 1.  Because the density changes with temperature, the conversion is fluid specific.  Why do I bring this up?  If you are looking to transfer different fluids, EXAIR has a solution for you.    

Equation 1:

Kinematic Viscosity = Dynamic Viscosity / density

Not all liquid vacuums are the same.  Have you seen motor burnout, loud noises, single directional flow, and potential electrical hazards?  EXAIR manufactures a pneumatic venturi pump to remove all those issues, the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System.  It does not have any moving parts to wear; a two-way action to fill or expel liquid from standard drums; and is quiet.  They only use compressed air to generate a powerful vacuum to lift liquid into a drum; and with a simple twist of the knob, it will push the liquid out.  And by using compressed air, no electricity is required, making it safe to use.  They work great for fluid transfers or liquid spills, and the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac can fill a 55-gallon (208L) drum in 85 seconds from 15 feet of lift.  And with the powerful vacuum pressure, it can move thick liquid with viscosity up to 1400 Cp through 20 feet (6m) of hose.  How can this product be useful for you?  If you work with liquids in a cistern, underground tanks, higher viscous fluids, or pits, EXAIR has a product for you; the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System.  They are reliable and simple to use, and that is why it was awarded the 2015 Product of the Year by Plant Engineering.  In this blog, I will go over the specifications and packages that EXAIR offers.

The High Lift Reversible Drum Vac pump has stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance.  It comes with a built-in safety relief valve to avoid over pressurizing and an internal float to stop any over-filling of the drum.  The air consumption is only 43 SCFM (1,218 SLPM) at 80 PSIG (5.5 Bar), and it has a quiet noise level of only 83 dBA.  Systems are available in 30-, 55- and 110-gallon capacities (114L, 208L, and 418L respectively) in different packages.

The standard package will include the two-way pump assembly, shutoff valve, 20′ (6m) vacuum hose, a 90° quick release elbow, a standpipe, and an aluminum chip wand.  The standpipe is cut to length for the properly sized drum (the drum is not included in this option).  The standpipe extends inside the drum to remove as much liquid as possible when emptying. 

The Deluxe package will include all the items shown above in the Standard package and adds a drum dolly, ABS spill recovery kit, (2) extension wands, crevice tool, skimmer tool and a magnetic toolholder.

The Premium package will include all the items in the Standard package and adds the drum with lock ring and lid, drum dolly, ABS spill recovery kit, (2) different lengths, aluminum crevice tools, skimmer tool, a magnetic toolholder and a 20′ (6m) compressed air hose.

With the relationship between dynamic and kinematic viscosities, you can determine the best EXAIR Industrial Housekeeping Product to transfer or discard.  If you have any questions about the High Lift Reversible Drum Vac System, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR.  We will be happy to help you.

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

The Ultimate Guide to the EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac

Published on by Al WooffittLeave a comment

In high-dust industrial environments, ordinary electric shop vacs often fall short. They clog quickly, motors burn out from constant use, and they can even return fine particles back into your breathing air. The EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac offers a rugged, air-powered alternative designed specifically for these harsh conditions.

What is the EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac?

The EXAIR Heavy Duty HEPA Vac is a powerful industrial vacuum that turns an ordinary 30, 55, or 110-gallon open-top drum into a high-capacity HEPA-grade cleaning system. Unlike standard vacuums, it has no moving parts and uses only compressed air to generate a powerful vacuum, reaching levels of -60” H2O at 80 PSIG.

Key Benefits for Industrial Cleanup

  • Maintenance-Free Durability: With no motors to wear out or bearings to fail, this system is built to last for years rather than months. Its hardened steel alloy construction specifically resists abrasion from heavy materials.
  • Certified HEPA Filtration: Every filter is tested to meet HEPA standards, capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. This ensures that fine dust and contaminants stay in the drum and out of the air.
  • Safety First: Operating on compressed air eliminates the risk of electric shock. It also includes a static-resistant hose to prevent painful shocks when handling dry, dusty materials.
  • Quiet Operation: At only 82 dBA, it is roughly half as loud as many electric vacuums, creating a safer and more comfortable work environment.

Popular Applications

This vacuum is ideally suited for:

  • Abrasive Media: Handling shot blast media, sand, and steel shot without internal wear.
  • Fine Dust Control: Ideal for drywall refinishing, pulverizer maintenance, and mold removal.
  • Critical Cleaning: Removing allergens, industrial contaminants, and irritants from shop floors.

Available Systems

EXAIR offers three main system configurations to suit your facility’s needs:

  • Standard System: Includes the vacuum generator, lever lock lid, filters, and hoses.
  • Deluxe System: Adds a drum dolly and a variety of heavy-duty aluminum cleaning tools like wands and floor tools.
  • Premium System: Includes everything from the Deluxe package plus a 30, 55, or 110-gallon drum.

Pro Tip: To extend the life of your HEPA media, consider the optional Model 901373 filter protector, which slides over the filters to trap larger particles before they reach the main media.

If you would like to discuss whether EXAIR’s Heavy Duty HEPA Vac would be a good fit for your application, give us a call!

Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer

Send me an Email
Find us on the Web
Like us on Facebook
Twitter: @EXAIR_AW

How the EXAIR Chip Trapper Transforms Coolant Maintenance

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

In today’s manufacturing environment, efficiency isn’t just about cycle times; it’s about reducing waste, extending fluid life, and minimizing downtime. One of the most overlooked areas of optimization is coolant maintenance. That’s where the EXAIR Chip Trapper System comes in. Designed for simplicity and performance, the Chip Trapper offers a smarter way to remove chips, swarf, and sludge from contaminated liquids—without the headaches of traditional systems.

The Problem with Dirty Coolant

If you’re running CNC machines, lathes, mills, or parts washers, you already know the pain:

  • Coolant becomes contaminated with chips and fines
  • Bacterial growth leads to foul odors
  • Pumps clog and maintenance increases.
  • Fluid replacement costs add up quickly.

In many shops, coolant is replaced far more often than necessary—simply because there’s no efficient way to clean it.

What Is the EXAIR Chip Trapper?

The EXAIR Chip Trapper System is a compressed air-powered vacuum system designed to separate solids from liquids quickly and efficiently.

It works by:

  1. Vacuuming contaminated coolant into a drum
  2. Capturing chips and debris in a reusable filter bag
  3. Returning clean liquid back to the machine

This simple but effective process allows you to reuse coolant instead of disposing of it.

See It in Action

Key Features That Set It Apart

1. No Moving Parts = No Downtime

Unlike electric pumps, the Chip Trapper uses compressed air—meaning no motors to clog or wear out.

2. Reusable Filtration System

The filter bag captures solids while allowing clean coolant to pass through, reducing waste and operating costs.

3. Fast Operation

Systems can fill a 55-gallon drum in minutes, dramatically reducing cleanup time.

4. Complete, Ready-to-Use System

Available in 30, 55, or 110-gallon configurations, each unit comes with a drum and all necessary components.

Real-World Applications

The Chip Trapper is ideal for:

  • CNC machines
  • Lathes and mills
  • Parts washers
  • Sumps and tanks
  • Grinding operations

It’s especially valuable in shops where coolant contamination is frequent and costly.

ROI: Where It Pays Off

The biggest advantage of the Chip Trapper is cost savings. By extending coolant life, shops can:

  • Reduce fluid replacement costs
  • Minimize disposal fees
  • Cut maintenance time
  • Improve machine uptime

In some cases, coolant life can be extended several times over with regular use.

The EXAIR Chip Trapper System isn’t just a cleanup tool—it’s a productivity upgrade. By turning dirty coolant into reusable fluid in minutes, it helps manufacturers cut costs, reduce waste, and keep machines running at peak performance.

If you’re still dumping coolant instead of reclaiming it, it might be time to rethink your process. Give me a call and let’s talk about the application!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
E: JordanShouse@exair.com
O: (513) 671‑3322
F: (513) 671‑3363
A: 11510 Goldcoast Dr Cincinnati OH 45249
www.exair.com

Find time on my calendar by scheduling a meeting here.

Chip Trapper: Take Back Control of Your Coolant, and Your Productivity

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

If you work with CNC machines, lathes, or other equipment that uses coolant or cutting fluids, you already know the headache that comes with chip‑laden, contaminated liquid. Floating debris, sludge, and swarf don’t just affect coolant life—they cause machine downtime, poor finishes, pump damage, and unnecessary costs.

The EXAIR Chip Trapper™ and High Lift Chip Trapper™ are designed to eliminate these problems quickly, safely, and without the mess or maintenance headaches of traditional pump or electric vac systems. Here’s how this powerful solution helps you reclaim time, money, and consistency on your shop floor.

Clean Your Coolant—Fast and Without the Mess

The Chip Trapper uses EXAIR’s Reversible Drum Vac, a simple but powerful two‑way pump that quickly vacuums contaminated coolant into a standard 55‑gallon drum. As the liquid enters the drum, it’s forced through a durable, reusable filter bag that traps chips and debris before the clean liquid is pumped back out.

How this benefits you:

  • Cuts coolant replacement costs by removing chips instead of throwing away usable fluid.
  • Prevents pump failures caused by recirculating metal chips and fines.
  • Reduces machine downtime—you can restore coolant clarity in minutes instead of hours.
  • Improves machining performance by keeping cutting fluid clean and flowing as intended.
  • You have options – You can pick what level of filtration that you want to achieve from 1 micron to 200 microns with additional, replacement filter bags. Systems come standard with 5-micron filtration.

Built for Real Shop Conditions

Your environment is demanding, so the equipment has to be too. The Chip Trapper is engineered for durability, reliability, and easy operation in any industrial setting.

Key features your team will appreciate:

  • Runs on compressed air—no electric motor, no moving parts to fail.
  • Works with your existing shop air up to 100 PSIG, with a maximum of 120 PSIG.
  • Designed for years of maintenance‑free performance when used with clean, filtered air.
  • Automatic safety shutoff prevents messy overfilling.
  • Quick‑change filter bags make maintenance simple and efficient—no tools required.

Because the system has no electrically driven parts, it’s not only safer—it avoids the clogs, burnout, and unreliability of conventional electric pumps.

Easy Operation: Vacuum In, Pump Out

Using the Chip Trapper is refreshingly simple:

  1. Connect compressed air using the manual shutoff valve.
  2. Attach the vacuum hose and chip wand to pull liquid and debris from your sump.
  3. Set the directional valve to FILL to vacuum dirty liquid.
  4. Set the valve to EMPTY to pump back out filtered, clean coolant.

Most users love that the process is clean, fast, and nearly foolproof—no dealing with clogged pumps or slow draining.

Handles Even Tough Applications

The Chip Trapper isn’t just for coolant recycling—it’s an incredibly versatile cleanup tool.

Great for:

  • CNC sump cleaning
  • Removing chips from settling tanks
  • Floor spill recovery (with optional Spill Recovery Kit Model 6901)
  • Deep sumps or long fluid runs (High Lift Chip Trapper models offer increased suction for these situations)

Whether you’re cleaning up after heavy machining or maintaining multiple machines, the Chip Trapper keeps your shop safer, cleaner, and more productive.

Low Maintenance, High Reliability

Maintenance is minimal and quick:

  • The safety shutoff float may occasionally need cleaning with mild solvent/detergent.
  • The stainless‑steel pump can be disassembled for deeper cleaning if needed.
  • Vacuum hose and attachments rinse clean after each use.

Because clean air is critical, EXAIR recommends a 10‑micron filter separator for the compressed air supply—when used properly, the unit will run for years without issue.

The Bottom Line: A Cleaner Shop and a Healthier Bottom Line

The Chip Trapper is more than a coolant-cleaning tool—it’s a reliability booster, money saver, and productivity enhancer.

Customers typically see:

  • Significantly longer coolant life
  • Better machine performance
  • Reduced labor time for sump cleaning
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • A safer, cleaner work environment

If your machines are struggling with chip buildup, cloudy coolant, or recurring sump issues, the Chip Trapper is one of the simplest, most cost‑effective upgrades you can make for these processes.

Get yours today. EXAIR ships orders for Chip Trappers within 1 business day after receipt of order. They are available with a 30-day guarantee, so there is zero risk on your part. You can check out more about operational specifications here.

Do you have questions?  Please contact one of our Application Engineers. They can help you determine if the Chip Trapper is right for your application.

Neal Raker, Application Engineering Manager
EXAIR