We all know energy costs are a major expense in a plant facility. Energy savings are on everyone’s mind as we attempt to become a “greener” industry. One area of the plant that can reap a great deal of savings is the automated soil room, where vacuum-based soil counting equipment employ a number of vacuum blower motors running constantly throughout the day, using up many kilowatts of power. 
 
Generally, with a vacuum-based soil counting system, an operator stands at a worktable and feeds soiled goods into a vacuum tube—one at a time. The item is sucked through ...