Industrial vacuum trucks: solving municipal sludge problems

Say the words "vacuum truck" and most wastewater treatment facility managers conjure up images of sewer department vehicles. These combination machines are the most commonly identified vacuum systems in municipalities for good reason. They come equipped with high-pressure water to blast through pipe obstructions, plus vacuum suction to remove debris, and this makes them ideal for sewer applications. What exactly differentiates industrial and municipal vacuum tracks? The vacuum source. The majority of combination machines used in municipal service utilize centrifugal compressors, or fans, for vacuum. These can generate high air flows. However, industrial vacuum loaders and industrial liquid tracks commonly feature either positive displacement pumps or vane pumps. While these have relatively lower air flows, they create high vacuum levels which can be ideal for deep pulls and heavy sludge.