The Hand-Held AIR-VAC ® (patent pending) is an air-powered, pass-through type of vacuum. As shown below, it consists of a short, thin wall metal tube into which a multiplicity of CEG patented supersonic air jets are introduced. The jets are inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Supersonic air from the jets mixes with air in the tube causing this air to increase in speed. This creates a suction at the entrance of the tube suitable for entraining material, such as soil, which may have been previously loosened by an air or water digging tool. On the discharge end of the tube, a hose may be connected for directing the material safely to a desired location. A burlap bag may be disposed over the end of the tube or hose to collect material, but to let the entrained air pass through. An extension hose or tube may be attached to the inlet section of the tube to allow vacuuming from subsurface volumes.

The advantages of the Hand-Held AIR-VAC ® are:

• Simple with no moving parts;
• Turns every air compressor into a vacuum;
• Relatively low cost;
• Use of CEG patented supersonic nozzles improves performance

The Hand-Held AIR-VAC ® is perfect for uses including:

• Transferring dry or wet material over short distances;
• Removing sub-surface soil from pot-holes;
• Cleaning out debris or water from keyholes or utility valve boxes;
• Filling sand bags;
• Moving soil quickly from around a victim buried in a trench collapse;
• Picking up crude oil from surfaces and disposing of it in a container.

The Hand-Held AIR-VAC ® is available in several sizes as shown below:

Table assumes 3-foot long suction tube, 2 feet of hose, and 11-foot vertical lift.

Two inch diameter Hand-held AIR-VAC ® with clear plastic suction tube and clear discharge hose.

Three inch diameter Hand-held AIR-VAC ® with two supersonic jets.