Air Operated Vacuum Cleaners

Air operated vacuum cleaners are powered by compressed air. Typically, this compressed air comes from a facility's house air. We take this air and send it through a venturi system. This process is where we generate our vacuum. We offer single venturi, dual venturi, and quad venturi air-operated vacuum systems. Pneumatic vacuum systms also work great with large portable air compressors and can even be used on different industries or equipment such as scissor lifts. All you need to do is simply hook the vacuum up to a dedicated airline and you are in business!

Pneumatic vacuum systems have several advantages when compared to conventional vacuum systems. Since they are powered by compressed air, pneumatic vacuums do not have any moving parts. The vacuum is generated via a venturi system. Because of this, pneumatic vacuum systems are a great option for hazardous materials, including combustible materials. They are quiet, light weight and easy to use. Air operated vacuum cleaners can come equipped with a HEPA Filter.

Pneumatic vacuum systems can be used in just about any industry. They can be used for either dry or wet pick-up and can be mounted on an 18 gallon or 55-gallon drum. Air operated vacuum cleaners are most commonly used in industries that have hazardous materials such as combustible dust.

Examples of industries where pneumatic vacuums are sold:

• Paint Powder
• Grain
• Food Processing
• Pharmaceutical
• Oil & Gas
• Wood Processing
• Assembly Plants
• Plastics
• Concrete and Silica Dust
• Clean Rooms

What are the plant compressed air requirements (PSI and CFM) needed to run these pneumatic vacuums efficiently?

Because our air-operated vacuum cleaners rely on the Venturi principle rather than an electrical motor, they require a consistent supply of compressed air to generate suction. Depending on the specific drum size and configuration (single or twin Venturi units), these systems typically require an air line operating at 80 to 100 PSI while consuming between 40 to 100 CFM. For optimal, continuous heavy-duty suction, we recommend connecting the vacuum to a minimum 1/2” or 3/4” compressed air line.

Are your air-operated vacuums officially compliant for ATEX zones and explosive combustible dust environments?

Yes. Because they feature no moving parts and use absolutely no electricity, our pneumatic vacuums inherently eliminate the risk of sparking, making them the safest choice for hazardous locations. Our specialized Explosion-Proof/Dust Ignition-Proof models are fully grounded and static-dissipative from the hose cuff all the way to the tank. They are designed to meet strict NFPA and OSHA regulations for safely recovering combustible dusts, including grains, sugar, and fine plastics in Class I and Class II environments.

Can these pneumatic systems handle simultaneous wet and dry recovery, or do they require an internal changeover?

Our air-operated industrial vacuums are engineered to seamlessly handle both liquid spills (sludges, coolants, oils) and dry debris (dust, metal chips, shot blast) without requiring a complicated filter teardown. When transitioning entirely to high-volume liquid recovery, the system can be equipped with an automatic mechanical float shut-off mechanism. This safely cuts off the vacuum suction once the drum reaches capacity, preventing overfills and protecting your facility's floors.