How Does The Vacuum Excavation Technique Work?

Breaking the ground 

Compressed air, either supplied on-board the unit or externally, is directed through the insulated AIR-EX lance & is used to initially loosen, agitate, or aerate the ground. The loosened debris is then safely removed by vacuum. In difficult ground conditions, hydro-excavation may need to be implemented.  
 

Breaking Difficult Ground

If the ground is found to be difficult & the AIR-EX seems ineffective, high pressure water is a great alternative agitator to safely work around underground utilities & services. The loosened material can then be removed using vacuum excavation.
The use of traditional shovels can be utilised alongside the vacuum, however, we recommend all precautions are taken to prevent potential damage to underground services.
 

Removing The Ground 

The vacuum excavation unit generates a large amount of air flow & vacuum suction through the generators. These can either be Turbines, Lobe or Venturi pumps.

Air & debris enters the pipe inlet & travels through the vacuum pipe into the Debris Chamber/Container.  The pressure drop inside the container allows any airborne particles to fall from the air stream. This partially clean air travels through a series of baffles which further separate debris & dust. The ‘clean’ air is then fine filtered to 5 microns before being expelled through the Vacuum Pump to the atmosphere.
 

Transportation & Disposal

The vacuum excavation systems are sealed units, therefore enabling the material to be transported without the risk of spillages or cross contamination. Depending on the machine of choice, the resultant material can be tipped back into the ground, bulk bag, wheelbarrow, skip & stockpile or into a controlled environment.