Tag: Line Vac

Compressed Air Use in the Agriculture Industry

Published on by Russ BowmanLeave a comment

The history of agriculture is really the history of civilization. Once our ancestors moved from hunting & gathering to herding & planting, the concepts of villages and trade took off, and here we are, living in the suburbs, exchanging currency for goods at the local supermarket. The methods in which these goods (the food we eat) are processed have evolved from everything being done by hand, to the use of an impressive degree of modern technology. Some of that technology involves compressed air – hence the subject of this blog. Consider:

  • Gasoline or diesel driven air compressors can power tools and pumps in areas where electricity isn’t available.
  • Fertilizers and pesticides are oftentimes sprayed onto crops using products like EXAIR Air Atomizing Spray Nozzles, which generate an even, controllable spray pattern & flow rate, while making extremely small droplet sizes for maximum coverage.
  • Air Operated Conveyors like EXAIR Line Vacs are widely used to move grain, soil, fertilizer, etc., quickly & easily from storage bins or hoppers.
As a coffee lover, there’s not much I enjoy more than specifying a Line Vac for use with coffee, like the one above being used to convey green coffee beans. They’re used for roasted and ground beans too!
  • Blowoff products like EXAIR Super Air Knives are ideal for cleaning and drying produce carried on conveyor belts.
Super Air Knife drying fruits and vegetables

I had the pleasure of assisting a caller with the selection of a wet-dry vacuum for cleanup operations on a dairy farm. Since it was going to be used in an area subject to liquid spills, they wanted a non-electric solution to eliminate shock hazards from dragging an extension cord across a wet floor. They needed a HEPA filter for silica dust, and wanted the ability to quickly change operation from vacuuming up that dust, to cleaning up liquid (like fresh milk) spills.

EXAIR Model 6303 Premium HEPA EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac System fit the bill perfectly for them. It’s compressed air operated (so no shock hazard), with more than enough vacuum power for wet or dry cleanup, and the ability to easily switch (as advertised) from wet to dry operation. Also, with no moving parts to wear out, it’ll run darn near indefinitely, maintenance free, when supplied with clean compressed air.

For critical dust containment, the HEPA EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac System is your durable, reliable, compressed air operated solution!

If you would like to read more about the kinds of applications in which our products help customers solve interesting application problems, please visit our Application Database under “Resources” on the website – (registration required, but it’s free & fast). This resource has details of the successful use of EXAIR products across dozens of industries – Agriculture included. In fact, it’s near the top of the list (to be fair, it’s alphabetical). If you’d like to find out more about how EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air Products can be used to your benefit, give me a call.

Russ Bowman, CCASS

Application Engineer
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Sanitary Flange Line Vac for Food and Pharmaceutical Conveying Applications

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

I recently wrote a blog about a great Sanitary Flange Line Vac application, Application Spotlight! – Conveying Products Through a Metal Detector. This was a great way to show the flexibility of the sanitary line vac operation in a very important metal detection operation for a pharmaceutical operation.

EXAIR’s Sanitary Flange Line Vac is the ideal solution for customers looking to convey bulk materials in food & pharmaceutical applications (among others). Operating in the same manner as EXAIR’s smooth and NPT threaded Line Vacs, the Sanitary Flange Line Vac is available in (4) common flange sizes: 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, and 3”.  All of EXAIR’s Sanitary Flange Line Vacs are constructed of Type 316 Stainless Steel for superior corrosion resistance.

There are different styles of flanges in industry. The Sanitary Flange Line Vac has been designed according to the flange standard outlined in ISO 2852. This standard was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 5, Ferrous metal pipes and metallic fittings, Sub-Committee SC 1, Steel tubes. This is the second edition that replaces the first edition (ISO 2852:1974). The standard specifies the dimensions, tolerances, surface roughness, materials, assembling, and the hygienic requirements for the flange. These styles of flange are intended to be used with stainless steel tubes, specified in ISO 2037. ISO 2852 is considered an international standard, defining the connections used for non-permanent food-grade piping systems used within the pharmaceutical, food processing, dairy and agricultural industries.

In these industries, it’s required for the components to be cleaned thoroughly and sanitized. Using this type of connector, components within the piping system can be easily removed, sanitized, and then reassembled. A lipped flange with a grooved indentation is on each end of the pipe and Line Vac. A sealing gasket is then placed in between each section of pipe. A raised groove on either end allows it to seat into the mating end of each flange. A clamp is then placed on the outside, forcing the sections together and compressing the gasket, creating an airtight seal.

If your processes currently utilize sanitary flange piping, EXAIR’s Sanitary Flange Line Vac is the ideal solution to help you convey bulk materials from one point to another quickly, safely, and efficiently. If you have interest to test one out in your process, EXAIR offers an Unconditional 30-Day Guarantee on all stock items. They’re on the shelf now, available to ship on the same day, with an order by 2:00 Eastern Time!

Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer

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Accessories to Supplement Your Line Vac

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment

An essential rule you should follow when with accessories is that less is more. That remains true when it comes to Line Vac applications. Strategically placed accessories can help in the efficiency and productivity of your application.

Let’s start with the basics. The Line Vac Kits will offer three different accessories that can enhance the overall performance when using EXAIR‘s Line Vac System. Mounting brackets, filter separators, and pressure regulators are tools to enhance the quality and production of your application. Mounting brackets can be for stationary applications that require two hands, or a set placement of the Line Vac. Filter separators are a great way to ensure your Line Vac is provided with clean, moisture-free air, resulting in optimum performance. Lastly, the pressure regulator is a great way to regulate your pressure to increase or decrease your flow, or to make sure your Line Vac is provided with smooth and consistent compressed air supply.

EXAIR also stocks various I.D. sizes of conveyance hose. These PVC hoses are offered in lengths up to 50′, and are ideal for conveying applications. The flexible hose has a smooth internal bore that eliminates material build up. The reinforced walls of these hoses are clear, which helps in monitoring what you convey. These hoses are rated for -4 to 150F temperatures.

The Line Vac Drum Cover is another accessory that can assist in your application running as smoothly as possible. The fine mesh non-woven Drum Cover is built to fit over the top of 55 or 30 gallon drums. The breathable material allows the air from the Line Vac air operated conveyor to circulate, whether you are moving material into, or out of the drum. This cover also offers containment for your conveyed material, making sure no material is lost in your application.

Adding accessories to your Line Vac application is a proven way to increase efficiency and reliability. If you have questions about the Line Vac accessories offered by EXAIR, or any of EXAIR’s products, please reach out to any of our Application Engineers for assistance. A little extra help can make a world of difference.

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

Sanitary Flange Line Vac in Food Service

Published on by jasonkirbyLeave a comment

It’s inevitable, we are all going to have an unfortunate run in with some bad food that is going to make us sicker than a dog.  Maybe it wasn’t cooked long enough?  Maybe it wasn’t stored properly?  Maybe it’s the mighty Montezuma seeking revenge for being defeated by the Spanish?  OK, maybe not the last one.  Whatever the case may be, the importance of food safety is not something to be taken lightly.

EXAIR Line Vacs: For bulk material conveyance through lines from 3/8″ to 6″, in aluminum, 303SS, 316SS, or abrasion resistant hardened alloy, available from stock with the widest variety of connections in the industry.

Ensuring the safety and quality of food and beverage products is crucial in preventing contamination and spoilage.  This makes the Sanitary Flange Line Vac a perfect fit for the food and beverage industry. Made from 316SS, the EXAIR‘s Sanitary Flange Line Vac is the best way to convey materials in systems which require frequent or mandatory cleaning.  The Sanitary Line Vac is perfect to use within an existing sanitary piping system, and can be used to transport bulk materials, packaging parts, and product waste.

These compressed air operated conveyor systems are stocked in sizes of 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, and 3″. This is a low maintenance product with no moving parts, which keeps production moving at a quick and easy pace, which can also be regulated by your compressed air supply. The Sanitary Flange Line Vac is compatible with ISO 2852, and fits standard sanitary flanges. Some of the more common applications are material conveying, hopper loading, and filling operations.

The EXAIR Sanitary Flange Line Vac is offered individually, and as a kit. The kit will include the Line Vac, mounting bracket, filter separator, and pressure regulator with coupler. If you have questions about the Sanitary Flange Line Vac, or any of the EXAIR compressed air products, please give us a call or shoot and email through our tech help line, where our team of qualified Application Engineers will be happy to assist you.

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