Glass & Chemicals
Cleanup solutions for high temperature and hazardous materials
Glass mills combine annealing oven sand removal with silica-laden ingredient cleanups.
Large-scale glass annealing ovens are often topped with sand to regulate internal temperature. As the required temperature is reduced, hot sand must be vacuumed off the oven and stored until it is needed again. Sand temperature, when used this way, can reach hundreds of degrees Fahrenheit, capable of melting or degrading many types of polymer-based components.
In addition, glass facilities need robust vacuum power to quickly move spilled materials—including cullet, carbonates, sand, and associated chemicals—long distances within the mill.
All glass applications involve the release of silica dust, which in respirable form is a major potential worker health hazard, regulated by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.1053, “Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime” (81 Fed. Reg. 16286). Measures must be taken to capture and remove this fugitive dust before it becomes a long-term issue for mill workers.
For chemical plants, flammable and explosive dust is a common challenge. Given that both chemical compound flammability (Kst) and explosive force potential (Pmax) values can range up to Very Strong, proactive fugitive dust prevention and remediation are essential. These risks are laid out in both the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s 29 CFR 1910 and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s 660 Standard.
Hi-Vac’s industrial vacuums are designed to handle the most challenging glass applications. Available high-temperature hoses and powerhead gaskets offer full performance at up to 230°F continuous temperature use. Purpose-designed and built intercept hoppers equipped with air injection systems collect and cool sand for storage and later re-use.
For glass cullet and mineral ingredient spill collection, Hi-Vac’s standard 400 and 800 Series units are capable of moving over 22 tons per hour up to a 500-foot conveyance distance via custom-designed manifold systems. For spilled material intended for re-use, Hi-Vac also offers stationary and hybrid frame units designed to offload into a standard bulk material bag, with a wide array of gate-type options.
Hi-Vac offers HEPA filtration options on all 300, 400, and 800 Series vacuums. These plug-and-play modules provide complete silica removal without any loss in powerhead performance for all new and most used units, both at the time of initial order and as a post-installation upgrade.
For flammable dust applications, Hi-Vac offers a wide range of flammable and explosion-proof options, including grounding, electrical isolation, flameless relief vents, active fire suppression, and isolation valves. These systems are configured to accommodate your specific materials, even when the powerhead needs to be situated indoors.
Vacuum equipment must always be operated by a properly trained and competent worker, following all safe work practices and documented procedures for this type of equipment
