Sump Cleaners

What is the difference between a sumpcleaner and a wet/dry vacuum?
A sumpcleaner is a tool for removal of solids entrained in fluid...the kind of material found in machine tool sumps...the kind of material a wet/dry vacuum couldn’t handle. On the other hand, a sumpcleaner will not pick up dry chips, nor will it handle shallow puddles on the floor.

What power source is best for running a sumpcleaner?
Sumpcleaners are available with three power sources: air, electric and propane. All have certain advantages and limitations.

Air units have no moving parts and are simple to operate and maintain. They are popular because they cost less initially and are inexpensive to operate. The unit operates off the plant air supply, requiring air service with headers of 3/4" or larger and 1/2" drops or better with a line pressure of 80 to 120 psi. The air-operated venturi creates a vacuum in the tank. A good air supply with adequate air volume and pressure is necessary to run this unit.

Plug-in anywhere convenience is the advantage of electric sumpcleaners. Single-phase electrical plug into standard 110 V current. The efficient motor drives a rotary, vane-type vacuum pump generating suction rates to 17" Hg and pumping rates to 60 gpm. The higher-performing extra-power sumpcleaners require a multi-phase electric system. A five hp motor powers a lobe-type, positive displacement vacuum pump. Pumping rates to 110 gpm and deep suction lift scour sumps of all coolant, chips and sludge in a matter of minutes.

Propane units meet the need in some plants because the source of power is self-contained. The twin cylinder engine features overhead cam and valve design. Electronic ignition insures fast and easy starts. These units have the highest pumping power and are more costly than air or electric units. Engine emission meets EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards.

Having the choice of three power sources makes it easy to find the sumpcleaner that will work best in your plant. If you need help deciding on the features you need for your application, our technical experts can help. 

I see vacuum lift measured in inches of water and mercury. What does this mean?
The inches of water or mercury refers to the height of water or mercury the vacuum will support. Normal atmospheric pressure is measured as 29.2 inches of mercury or 414 inches of water. When comparing sumpcleaners to other sumpcleaners or wet/dry vacuums make sure you are comparing water to water or mercury to mercury. This will give you an accurate comparison and help you choose the sumpcleaner that is right for the job in your shop.

What does micron size have to do with sumpcleaner filters?
Some manufacturers talk about filter pore openings in terms of micron size. One way to approximate the size of the pore is to see if you can push a hair through the opening. A human hair is approximately 75 microns in diameter. 

The pore size, however, is not always indicative of the size of the particle that may be filtered. A pore opening may be 229 microns, but it may filter microns much smaller due to the particle cake that forms in the filter. As the dirty coolant passes through the filter the solids build up on the surface. These built-up solids form a "cake" which strengthens the filter’s ability to trap even finer particles.

Our unique filter pack design provides a continuous filter medium. All of the coolant must pass through the filter with none escaping through slits or openings. When micron size is a consideration in judging clean coolant, make sure the filter medium does not allow solids to escape. If the coolant can bypass the filter through even the smallest opening, it is not being cleaned.