VAC-PAC Fulfills DOE Waste Collection Requirements

The VAC-PAC HEPA vacuum waste collection system provides large, steady vacuum flows to entrain and transport waste over a range of operating conditions.

Over 50% of the DOE’s Environmental Restoration and Waste Management sites currently engaged in active cleanup utilize Pentek’s VAC-PAC® high performance HEPA vacuum and waste collection systems. Recently, custom modifications of Pentek’s commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vacuum technology have been delivered to support a variety of DOE EM-50 technology developments.

Flexibility of design, reliability of operation, and portability have earned the VAC-PAC® an enviable reputation in the hazardous waste management industry. Standard VAC-PAC® features provide for direct transfer of hazardous waste into an integral waste drum and an efficient, two-stage filtration system, which cleans itself on-line automatically with continuous reverse-flow pulses of high-pressure air.

Laser Ablation System

Pentek supplied a custom VAC-PAC® to support a laser ablation process developed by F2 Associates that removes contaminated paint or epoxy from metal or concrete with high-powered, high-epetition industrial lasers. Pentek modified a VAC-PAC® Model 22 for integration with a special charcoal filter to collect entrained air, gases, vapors, and particulates The high-volume suction capacity of the VAC-PAC® permitted more control over wastes generated by the ablation process relative to other commercially available vacuum systems.

CO₂ BIasting Robot

A project called ROVCO₂, funded by the DOE’s Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC), combined Pentek’s VAC-PAC® with an automated CO₂ blasting process that propels pellets of dry ice to scale off contaminated surface paint from facility floors. A commercial robotic vehicle chassis served as a platform for the integration of Pentek’s VAC-PAC® with CO₂ blasting equipment, and a work arm and control system developed by Oceaneering Technologies.

A special feature of the VAC-PAC® Model 24D provided for this project was its 100% aluminum construction. Light weight was essential for maintaining compatibility with the client’s specifications.

“During reliability tests, the VAC-PAC ran without any filter degradation,” stated Program Manager Andrew Resnick. “We are looking forward to hot testing as part of the decontamination effort at a DOE site.”

Technology Development

The VAC-PAC® contributes to substantial reductions in operating and maintenance costs as well as worker exposure to hazardous materials. Whether it is ice or lasers, horizontal floors or vertical walls, Pentek continues to meet the industry’s future with characteristic versatility.

For more information please email us, see our contact page or visit our vacuum tool and robotics product pages.

Reprinted from Pentek Ink, Vol 11