Incinerating vacuum?

[fan-of-fans]

With all of these germ and virus concerns, I wondered what about a vacuum that incinerates whatever it picks up? There would be no need to empty it, except whatever ashes may be left. I recall reading that some early manufacturers of vacuums with paper bags gave suggestions to throw the paper bag of dust into the incinerator or burn bin after it was full.

It would have to be well insulated, and sealed to prevent opening until it cooled down an amount.

Would it incinerate as it sucked up stuff, or do you wait until you've finished vacuuming to incinerate?

My guess is incinerate while vacuuming, but the exhaust would be far too hot, I suppose motor would have to be before the incineration compartment, the stream of air along with high heat would cause combustion to continue until switched off. Then a hepa filter at the exhaust to contain any ash or odor.

 

[human]

Deadly vacuum...

The main drawback to this idea is the fact where something is burning, there is smoke—and carbon monoxide.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Very true. I guess a central vacuum could be perfect for this concept, since they are usually direct-vented to the outside. The fumes would be blown outdoors like a water heater or furnace.

 

[oreck_xl]

The only thing I've ever seen along those lines (and I only saw it in a SkyMall catalogue) was a Sanyo canister that heated the bag to kill dust mites. Probably some 30 years ago. Does anybody have one?

 

[unconscious]

I think the Karcher TSC 555 did the very same thing! I’m not sure how effective it was or how exactly did it work.

 

[tolivac]

Also some vacuums had a UVC lamp in the bag chamber to kill dust mites and bacteria.Miracle Mate has an optional exhaust filter with a UVC lamp in it to destroy bacteria and viruses in the machines exhaust and to make it act as an air purifier of sorts.Keep in mind many types of dirt will not burn.And of course the hazards of burning stuff.Home incinerators went out when the compaction trash truck was invented.Incineration was a form of "size reduction"since most home waste was mostly paper or paper products.Now plastics-of course those don't burn well in a home burner.And the pollution laws we have today.Let the municipal incinerator plant handle the waste since these burn hotter and their waste heat can be used for making steam for power generation and building heating.

 

[madman]

Read the title and envisioned a vacuum with no bag or filter at all, basically a leaf blower, but with a flamethrower on the exhaust.

So not really practical outside of a hillbilly's goofy side project.

The UVC lamp is a much more practical alternative. Small, simple, very little power usage, and the lamps are readily available.

 

[huskyvacs]

As crazy as this sounds - there actually exists something with a similar concept. They have portable incinerators for law enforcement and military use for destruction of drugs and hazardous waste and it sucks up and contains all the debris within the barrel.

I'm sure you could take this concept and remove some of the hazmat clearance aspects and make a vacuum cleaner out of it - like a Shop Vac but with fire.

Not for indoor use of course, but as a concept type of thing.

https://www.elastec.com/products/portable-incinerators/

 

[vacuumkid47]

Interesting

From a design perspective, it would SEEM plausible to have a contained and sealed combustion/incineration chamber, however we also have to figure out if the dust and debris continues to burn inside the chamber, almost creating a hazard that could damage components and the user. I remember fire departments use hazmat vacuums to clean up harsh chemicals and correct me if I'm wrong, that it has some kind of neutralizer filter?

@huskyvacs: It reminds me of the Buster B style evidence vacuums that forensic testers use.

 

[jo]

Environmental effects

Incinerating debris could lead to negative environmental effects. We breathe the air around us, sending fumes of what we have picked up and burned could be hazardous to us as well as the ozone layer, etc. I think bagged vacuums where the dirt goes in a good sealed bag that gets sent to the landfill is probably best and least detrimental to the planet but even “burying” this dust and picked up trash isn’t the most environmentally friendly. But I think incinerating it could be bad for the air adding more pollutants.

Look at what they’ve noticed during this covid thing, less cars on the road and noticeably less pollution and smog in the air.

People who do construction abatement suck up asbestos dust and what does that do once incinerated? Is that worse than burying it?

Scientifically Studies would have to answer all of these questions.

Jon

 

[broomvac]

Cool idea, but I think dirt is mostly non-combustible. If such a vacuum existed, I think you’d have to empty it close to as often as you would a non-incinerator. The fibers could likely be burned up, but not the gritty particles.

 

[jo]

Dirt is used too stifle fires

Yeah, I tend to agree...since dirt can be shoveled into a fire to put it out, I don’t think much would burn and be difficult to ignite well enough to burn anything that would burn. Plus hair really smells when it burns and hair is something that is a typical thing that is vacuumed up.

Jon