The Mini - Vac system is a unique modular system which has been developed to meet end user needs realized in recent major oil spills. Customer feed back and parallel developments have resulted in a very light weight, efficient system. By using safe diesel power to drive high speed air systems through custom designed automatic dome heads, an operator can vacuum recover oil and debris from various types of disaster areas.

The flexibility and lightweight construction of the system allows the components to be lifted by two people, overcoming mobility problems on rocky beaches and other unstable areas where wheeled trailers would be unable to negotiate the terrain. As a complete system, it is able to transfer recovered fluids direct from beach scenarios to transport tankers without the need for temporary storage tanks or drums. The compact design of the equipment greatly facilitates storage and transport.

The modular design of the Mini - Vac system enables various combinations of components to be assembled quickly and easily. Because of the flexibility of the system, various tasks can be undertaken depending on the spill site and final transfer of recovered oil. The two main modules allow first stage air/vacuum recovery of fluids, the second stage allows for positive pumping of recovered contents either to further pumping modules or direct to storage tanks. The innovative design nature of the system allows the Mini - Vac to be supplied in various formats:

Basic format Mini - Vac

• Containerized system - this would include the basic Mini - Vac and transfer pump in a custom built aluminium container.
• ISO containerized multiple systems - complete systems in a standard ISO container.

Principle

One man recovery of oil fluids and sludge by means of high speed air and vacuum. Powered by lightweight diesel engines.

Capacity

There are very few effective air vacuum systems in the market place, unlike conventional pump systems, and so a realistic comparison is difficult to achieve. Vikoma believes that capacity can only realistically be measured and quoted as the equipment would be used in the field of operation. The figures quoted in the table below are based on field tests carried out on crude oil as witnessed by Lloyd's register of shipping for the Mini - Vac unit.