Central vacuum systems are used across industries, and most industries that require high levels of quality assurance when it comes to sterilisation, invariably use central vacuum systems. These are easy to operate and quick to use. When productivity is of paramount importance, there are more reasons to install a commercial central vacuum system. Also, central vacuum systems in industrial settings are highly specialised systems that are very different from a Residential Central Vacuum System, because of the different functionalities and capabilities they come with. They are customised to the industry, and the factory floor itself, often being permanent fixtures.
Let’s look at ways in which central vacuum systems help maximise process efficiency.
Nuclear, metallurgy and refinery industry:
In industries, especially large facilities, the challenge of maintaining clean, germ-free environments is challenging. Where chemicals are used and processed, outgassing becomes a bigger problem to handle. Outgassing is the gases that are released as a result of the manufacturing process. The problem with outgassing is that these released gasses can interfere with the process. Cleaning of these surfaces is referred to as a bake-out, a process that heats surfaces to drive away settled volatile organic compounds.
Another way to pick up these gases is the installation of industrial-grade central vacuum systems, that can help deal with larger surfaces and components. But as a rule of thumb, in these clean-room facilities, the surface areas are kept to a minimum to deal with outgassing.
Industrial kitchens and restaurants:
The kitchens are places filled with odours, oil fumes and particulate matter. These can interfere with the other food preparation processes, settling down on them, and contaminating the flavour profile of the dish. It is also not a healthy working environment when oil fumes and heat are all around. Industrial kitchens and restaurants use vacuum-based exhausts that extract particles, fumes and odours. They typically use two-stage spike ionization technology, which charges the fumes and odour molecules and uses a vacuum to suck it all out. These central vacuum cleaners are specialised in oil guide systems and come with large dust collection areas. Many of them also come with activated carbon filters to absorb the lingering odours.
Cement, infrastructure and construction industry:
Central vacuum systems in large industries are not just used for cleaning, but also to transport materials. As in large industrial kitchens, like the Akshaya Patra, Bangalore where food-grade materials are safely transported through pipes and conduits, industries like cement, tiles or the construction industry use central vacuum-based systems to transport materials efficiently. This minimises the use of manual labour, decreasing costs in the long run. They use easily configurable disposal systems, which connect easily with fixed production lines and pipes to transport construction materials and raw materials. They are also used for efficient waste disposal, and explosion control, where central vacuums are instrumental in disposing of combustible and hazardous waste safely without human intervention directly to waste collection centres.
Pharmaceutical and chemical industry:
Every pharmaceutical-based industry, be it manufacturing, packing and distribution or research laboratories must meet stringent health and safety standards. An automatic central vacuum system is tailored for the pharma industry cleanrooms. These are usually light, portable and have a multi-stage filter that has capabilities to capture and retain toxins. Another area where industrial central vacuums are used extensively is to eliminate cross-contamination while maintaining productivity levels.
Healthcare and multi-speciality hospitals:
These are places where cleanliness and sanitation are adhered to with the strictest standards due to the risk of infection and exacerbation of the spread of existing illness. Frequent cleaning and disinfection of operation theatres, wards and rooms are necessary. Central vacuum systems for these facilities come typically fitted with specialised capabilities to clean and sanitise on the go. They are fast, efficient and require very low manual power to operate. The risk of the cleaning staff coming into contact with infectious substances and biohazardous waste is also minimised as waste is disposed of directly into the waste collection facility.
What are high vacuum conditions?
Industrial central vacuums when combined with manufacturing industries in metallurgical and metal extraction, nuclear or heavy water plants or advanced scientific laboratories, need a much more precise and tailored solution. The vacuum systems here are not just for cleaning or sanitary purposes but are often part of the process to meet set scientific and analytical conditions. Typically, pressure ranges of 10-3 to 10-12 mbar are ultra-high vacuum conditions, whereas, 10-3 to 10-7 mbar are high vacuum conditions.
To conclude
Industrial central vacuum systems are integral parts of the industry itself, and offer capabilities beyond just cleaning.
If you are interested in learning more about how we at Drainvac are changing the way industries operate to deliver maximum efficiency, get in touch with us right away. Drainvac is the world leader in vacuum systems with patented technology.