How to clean up Styrofoam bits? Vacuum Technology Anyone?

Industrial Toys · Sep 8, 2020

So the poor little raccoons made a terrible mess in my barn. I had saved a bunch of 4x8 sheets of white styrofoam which is now spread in bits all over the barn. That and raccoon poop. Lots of it.

I wanted to park some industrial vacuum outside and just take the hose into the barn. Looking at all kinds of Industrial vacs, even cheap, Diesel powered mobile units, or a used self serve car wash style machine.

BUT, I assume the styrofoam is not going to settle in some cannister or 45 gallon drum style vac. I want it right in a disposable bag. Is there such a thing? That stuff is so light and worse, magnetic! Thought maybe a dust collection system, like for woodworking.

Any thoughts?

DIYOrangeDave · Sep 8, 2020

I have heard of success creating a pre-canister (5 gallon bucket and 2 - 2” 90 degree elbows) using cyclonic motion to leave the debris in the pre-canister and sucks the dust and finer particles through. Dump the pre-canister. YouTube has lots of plans and ideas.

MossRoad · Sep 8, 2020

Shop vac with a swimming pool vacuum hose. That's what I use for sanding jobs inside the house. The vac stays outside, the hose comes in through the nearest window or door.

/pine · Sep 8, 2020

FWIW...spraying with anti-static compound (available in spray cans at box stores/ wall mart etc) may help...

Industrial Toys · Sep 8, 2020

It's unfortunately spread too far and wide to treat them. Do they still make cloth feed bags? I have a big electric blower, I might be able to use for the styroafoam. Just tye rap the bag onto the outlet and put a piece of flex tubing on the inlet. The foam shouldn't hurt the impeller. The poop may (unfortuately) require a different technology.

I have a prettty good stainless shop vac, but I suspect that the bits will plug up the filter and not setttle in the canister. And, I would require WAY too many bags for several sheets of foam.

bigtiller · Sep 8, 2020

Just a thought here, I don't know it it would work...

Blow it outside on a rainy day with a leaf blower. Possibly, the rain will knock the magnetic problem out of it.??
If it does, then pick it up with the grass catcher on the mower.

Industrial Toys · Sep 8, 2020

I'm kind of **** about the slightest piece of FOD (Foreign Objects or Debris) here on the place. I'm thinking, I had better deal with it, still contained to the barn. Maybe some pictures will convey the true horror of the situation.

Jim Nelson · Sep 8, 2020

I have an EGO cordless blower with an extra low setting that I use for the garage and my shop, sheds,etc that would do the job if you had a big box or such to blow it in to.A regular leaf blower would just make the mess worse I think.

Industrial Toys · Sep 8, 2020

Maybe that's the ticket. A BIG cardboard box with an exhaust port/screen. Then burn the box.

Got me to thinking. Use my shop vac head on a cardboard box in place of the cannister. Maybe with the aid of a piece of plywood. For, I can see the joy of trying to remove styrofoam from the metal canister.