VAC-7HS Abrasive Recovery System with Storage Silo and CS-500 Dust Pre-separator, Complete Set

Contracor VAC-7HS – Abrasive Recovery System with Storage Silo and CS-500 Dust Pre-Separator

The Contracor VAC-7HS abrasive recovery system with storage silo and CS-500 dust pre-separator is a high-performance, electrically powered vacuum recovery system for collecting, cleaning, and temporarily storing used abrasive media. The system was specifically developed for mineral abrasive media that can generate increased dust and a high proportion of unusable fine particles during blasting.

The VAC-7HS combines a powerful side-channel blower with a freestanding CS-500 dust pre-separator, an integrated cartridge filter, and a separately installed storage silo with a volume of 0.3 m³. The collected abrasive media is separated from unusable material, filtered, and then stored in the silo independently of the blast pot.

The manually operated shut-off valve allows the recovered material to be discharged from the silo in a controlled manner. Suitable abrasive media can be refilled into a blast pot, while material that is no longer usable can alternatively be discharged into a big bag for organized disposal.

With a drive power of 7.5 kW, a recovery capacity of up to 3.5 metric tons per hour, and a maximum suction hose length of 10 meters, the VAC-7HS is suitable for professional stationary blast rooms with increased requirements for dust separation, material storage, and flexible further processing.

Your Benefits at a Glance

• ✅ Specifically developed for mineral abrasive media with increased dust generation
• ✅ Freestanding CS-500 dust pre-separator
• ✅ Freestanding storage silo with 0.3 m³ volume
• ✅ High-performance 7.5 kW side-channel blower
• ✅ Recovery capacity of up to 3.5 metric tons per hour
• ✅ Separation of reusable and unusable abrasive media
• ✅ Central intermediate storage of recovered material
• ✅ Manually controlled material discharge via shut-off valve
• ✅ Blast pot can be refilled for reuse
• ✅ Alternatively suitable for big bag filling
• ✅ Integrated high-performance cartridge filter
• ✅ Automatic pulse jet cleaning of the filter element
• ✅ Reduced load on the main filter through pre-separation
• ✅ Reduced consumption of new abrasive media
• ✅ Reduced cleaning and disposal effort
• ✅ Flexible installation independent of the blast pot

📦 Package Contents

• Contracor VAC-7HS vacuum abrasive recovery system
• 7.5 kW electric side-channel blower
• Freestanding CS-500 dust pre-separator
• Manual emptying of the dust pre-separator
• Freestanding abrasive storage silo with 0.3 m³ volume
• Manually operated shut-off valve on the storage silo
• Integrated high-performance cartridge filter
• Automatic pulse jet filter cleaning
• Floor hopper with grating
• 5 m abrasion-resistant rubber suction hose
• Suction hose inner diameter 63.5 mm (2½")

Technical Specifications

Dimensions (mm)

Specifically for Mineral Abrasive Media

Mineral abrasive media can generate high levels of dust, abrasion residue, and broken grains during blasting. These fine fractions should be separated as reliably as possible from the still-usable abrasive media before the material is reused or stored.

The VAC-7HS was developed specifically for these applications. The upstream CS-500 performs initial separation of reusable abrasive media from unusable fractions before the material stream reaches the recovery unit and storage silo.

This makes the system particularly suitable for blast rooms using mineral abrasive media where increased dust loads are expected within the material cycle.

Multi-Stage Recovery Process

Used abrasive media is first swept or shoveled into the floor hopper. From there, the powerful side-channel blower draws the material through the abrasion-resistant rubber suction hose.

The material stream first reaches the freestanding CS-500 dust pre-separator. There, abrasive media suitable for reuse is separated from dust, fine particles, and unusable material.

The recovered abrasive media is then transported to the main system and into the freestanding 0.3 m³ storage silo. Fine dust particles remaining in the airflow are captured by the integrated cartridge filter.

The material remains in the storage silo until it is discharged through the manually operated shut-off valve into a blast pot, another material container, or a big bag station.

Freestanding CS-500 Dust Pre-Separator

The CS-500 is positioned in the material path upstream of the main recovery and filter unit. It provides initial separation of dust, broken abrasive grains, and other lighter fractions.

This reduces the dust load on downstream components and reduces the proportion of unusable fine particles entering the storage silo.

Material separated in the CS-500 is collected in a separate chamber and emptied manually. The required emptying intervals depend on abrasive type, dust generation, and daily operating time.

• ✅ Pre-separation of large dust and fine-particle fractions
• ✅ Separation of usable and unusable material
• ✅ Reduced load on the integrated cartridge filter
• ✅ Improved quality of stored abrasive media
• ✅ Separate collection chamber with manual emptying

Freestanding Storage Silo with 0.3 m³ Volume

The VAC-7HS has a separately installed abrasive storage silo with a volume of 0.3 m³. The recovered material is therefore not automatically returned to a single blast pot but is first collected centrally.

The operator can store the material temporarily, inspect it, and then decide whether it should be reused or disposed of. The freestanding design allows flexible integration into existing blast rooms and is not directly tied to a particular blast pot.

The actual quantity of material that can be stored in the silo depends on the bulk density of the abrasive media used.

Reuse or Big Bag Filling

The VAC-7HS can be used both for reusing suitable abrasive media and for organized disposal of material that can no longer be used.

For reuse, a suitable blast pot or material container is positioned beneath the discharge point. After the manual shut-off valve is opened, the abrasive media falls from the storage silo by gravity.

For disposal, a suitable big bag filling station can be positioned beneath the discharge point. This allows recovered abrasive media to be collected in a controlled manner and prepared for transport.

• ✅ Controlled discharge into a blast pot
• ✅ Flexible use with different material containers
• ✅ Big bag filling for disposal
• ✅ Material can be processed independently of blasting operations
• ✅ Central collection of recovered abrasive media

Manual Material Discharge via Shut-Off Valve

Material stored in the 0.3 m³ silo is discharged via a manually operated shut-off valve. The operator controls both the timing and quantity of material discharge.

Manual operation provides simple, controlled handling, while the closed valve prevents unintended emptying of the silo.

Before opening the valve, the intended blast pot, material container, or big bag must be correctly positioned and secured against movement.

High-Performance Side-Channel Blower

The VAC-7HS is equipped with an electric side-channel blower with a drive power of 7.5 kW. It generates the vacuum required for pneumatic material transport.

Used abrasive media is conveyed through the suction line to the CS-500 and then to the recovery unit and storage silo.

Actual conveying performance depends on abrasive type, particle shape, bulk density, moisture content, contamination level, hose length, and hose routing.

Integrated Cartridge Filter with Pulse Jet Cleaning

The VAC-7HS has an integrated high-performance cartridge filter with a filter area of 7.5 m². The polyester filter medium removes fine dust particles from the airflow.

Automatic pulse jet cleaning uses short bursts of compressed air to clean the filter cartridge. Adhering dust is released from the filter surface so that airflow and suction performance remain as consistent as possible.

The upstream CS-500 reduces the amount of dust reaching the cartridge filter. This reduces the load on the filter element and can improve service life compared with a system without pre-separation.

Despite automatic cleaning, the cartridge filter must be inspected regularly and replaced when required depending on dust load and operating time.

Up to 3.5 Metric Tons of Recovery Capacity per Hour

The VAC-7HS achieves a recovery capacity of up to 3.5 metric tons per hour. This makes the system suitable for professional stationary blast rooms with regular volumes of mineral abrasive media.

The maximum intended suction hose length is 10 meters. The complete set includes a 5-meter abrasion-resistant rubber suction hose with an inner diameter of 63.5 mm.

Actual performance can vary with different abrasive media due to specific gravity, particle shape, moisture content, and flow characteristics. Hose bends, cross-section restrictions, and differences in elevation also influence conveying performance.

Economical Abrasive Reconditioning

Even with mineral abrasive media, a technically reusable portion may remain after blasting. Without recovery, this portion is often disposed of together with dust and unusable material.

The VAC-7HS separates the reusable fraction in the CS-500 and stores it in the freestanding storage silo. The operator can then decide whether the material should be reused or sent for disposal.

This can reduce the need for new abrasive media, manual cleaning work, internal material transport, and disposal volumes.

• ✅ Reduced need for new abrasive media
• ✅ Reuse of suitable portions of mineral abrasive media
• ✅ Reduced disposal volume
• ✅ Central and controlled material storage
• ✅ Less manual material handling
• ✅ Less cleaning work in the blast room
• ✅ Flexible decision between reuse and disposal
• ✅ Reduced load on the main filter through the CS-500

Floor Hopper with Grating

The floor hopper included in the complete set serves as the central collection point for used abrasive media. Material lying on the shop floor is swept or shoveled into the hopper and then extracted by the vacuum unit.

The integrated grating traps larger foreign objects before they can enter the suction line. This protects the suction hose, dust pre-separator, filter unit, and storage silo from coarse contamination.

The floor hopper allows a stationary recovery system to be retrofitted without installing a complete automatic floor conveyor system.

Suitable Abrasive Media

The VAC-7HS was developed specifically for reusable mineral abrasive media. Whether a particular material is suitable for multiple blasting cycles depends on grain stability, contamination, and condition after blasting.

As a technical size reference, the manufacturer specifies a maximum grit size up to G40, approximately 0.30 to 0.80 mm. Actual suitability also depends on particle shape, bulk density, moisture content, and flow characteristics.

The material should be dry and sufficiently free-flowing. Damp, clumped, or heavily contaminated abrasive media can reduce suction performance and block material paths.

Optional Handheld Suction Tube

A handheld suction tube with support wheels and a handle is available as an option for flexible collection of abrasive media over larger floor areas. The accessory is supplied with a 10-meter PU suction hose.

The handheld suction tube enables targeted collection of loose material in areas that cannot be reached directly via the stationary floor hopper.

The support wheels make the suction tube easier to guide and reduce physical effort. The handheld suction tube is not included in the standard VAC-7HS package.

🔧 Applications

• Stationary blast rooms
• Blast rooms using mineral abrasive media
• Applications with increased dust generation
• Central abrasive collection
• Intermediate storage of recovered abrasive media
• Filling different blast pots
• Big bag filling stations
• Steel construction and metal fabrication
• Vessel and plant construction
• Mechanical engineering
• Automotive and commercial vehicle manufacturing
• Rail vehicle manufacturing
• Shipyards and maritime maintenance
• Surface preparation before coating and painting
• Removal of rust, scale, and old coatings
• Retrofitting existing stationary blasting systems

Operating Requirements

A suitable three-phase power connection with 3~ 380 to 420 V / 50 Hz is required to operate the VAC-7HS. A suitable compressed air supply is also required for automatic pulse jet cleaning of the cartridge filter.

The system must be installed on a level surface with sufficient load-bearing capacity. The system weight of approximately 565 kg, plus the weight of the abrasive media stored in the silo, must be taken into account during planning.

Suitable material routes must be provided between the floor hopper, CS-500, recovery unit, and storage silo. All components must remain accessible for operation, maintenance, and cleaning.

Sufficient space must be available beneath the silo outlet for a blast pot, material container, or suitable big bag holder.

Maintenance and Care

Regular maintenance is essential for sustained suction, separation, and recovery performance. In particular, the CS-500, cartridge filter, pulse jet cleaning system, suction hoses, and storage silo must be inspected regularly.

The dust pre-separator must be emptied manually according to the amount of material collected. Delayed emptying can impair separation performance and place a greater load on downstream components.

The storage silo and shut-off valve must also be inspected for deposits, wear, and correct operation. The valve must close reliably and be safe to operate.

• Empty the CS-500 dust pre-separator regularly
• Check the separation chamber for deposits
• Check the filter cartridge regularly
• Check the function of the pulse jet cleaning system
• Inspect suction hoses for abrasion and leaks
• Clean the floor hopper and grating
• Check the storage silo for deposits
• Check the shut-off valve for correct operation and leaks
• Keep material flow paths free of foreign objects
• Have electrical components serviced by qualified personnel

VAC-7H or VAC-7HS?

The VAC-7H is suitable for general recovery and intermediate storage of reusable abrasive media. The VAC-7HS additionally includes the CS-500 dust pre-separator and is therefore particularly suitable for mineral abrasive media with increased dust generation.

VAC-7S or VAC-7HS?

The VAC-7S is suitable for an automatic recovery cycle with direct refilling of a Contracor Z-200 blast pot. The VAC-7HS instead uses a freestanding storage silo and allows flexible, manually controlled reuse or disposal of the material.

Why the Contracor VAC-7HS?

The Contracor VAC-7HS is a flexible complete solution for stationary blast rooms where mineral abrasive media with increased dust generation need to be recovered, pre-cleaned, and stored independently of the blast pot.

The powerful 7.5 kW side-channel blower provides pneumatic material transport. The freestanding CS-500 separates dust and unusable fine particles, while the integrated cartridge filter performs fine dust separation from the airflow.

The cleaned material is collected in the 0.3 m³ storage silo and can then be discharged in a controlled manner for reuse or disposal.

The VAC-7HS therefore combines high-performance abrasive recovery with improved dust separation, flexible intermediate storage, and versatile options for subsequent material handling.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What does the VAC-7HS do?
The system collects used abrasive media, separates usable material from dust and unusable fractions, and stores it in a freestanding storage silo.

For which abrasive media was the VAC-7HS developed?
The system was specifically developed for reusable mineral abrasive media with increased dust generation.

What is the difference between the VAC-7HS and the VAC-7H?
The VAC-7HS additionally includes the freestanding CS-500 dust pre-separator.

What is the difference between the VAC-7HS and the VAC-7S?
The VAC-7S has a storage container mounted directly on the blast pot with automatic refilling. The VAC-7HS has a freestanding storage silo with manual material discharge.

What is the storage silo capacity?
The freestanding storage silo has a volume of 0.3 m³.

What does the CS-500 do?
The CS-500 separates dust, fine particles, and unusable fractions from the recovered abrasive media and thereby reduces the load on the main filter.

How is the CS-500 emptied?
The dust pre-separator is emptied manually.

Is a blast pot refilled automatically?
No. Material is discharged manually through the storage silo's shut-off valve.

Can the recovered material be reused?
Yes. Suitable abrasive media can be discharged from the storage silo into a blast pot or material container in a controlled manner.

Can the VAC-7HS be used for disposal?
Yes. Material that can no longer be used can be discharged from the storage silo into a suitable big bag station.

Is a big bag station included?
No. A suitable big bag holder or filling station must be provided separately.

Is a blast pot included?
No. A blast pot is not included.

What is the recovery capacity?
According to the manufacturer, the maximum recovery capacity is up to 3.5 metric tons per hour.

What is the maximum suction hose length?
The maximum intended suction hose length is 10 meters.

How much suction hose is included?
The complete set includes 5 meters of abrasion-resistant rubber suction hose.

What is the suction hose inner diameter?
The inner diameter is 63.5 mm or 2½ inches.

What is the maximum grit size?
As a technical reference, the manufacturer specifies a maximum grit size up to G40, approximately 0.30 to 0.80 mm.

Can every mineral abrasive be reused?
No. Reusability depends on material type, grain stability, contamination, and condition after blasting.

How is the abrasive media collected?
The used material is swept or shoveled into the floor hopper and then extracted.

How is the cartridge filter cleaned?
The filter cartridge is cleaned automatically by short bursts of compressed air from the pulse jet cleaning system.

Does the VAC-7HS require compressed air?
Yes. A suitable compressed air supply is required for automatic pulse jet cleaning.

What electrical supply is required?
A three-phase power connection with 3~ 380 to 420 V / 50 Hz is required.

What is the drive power?
The electric side-channel blower has a drive power of 7.5 kW.

How loud is the VAC-7HS?
The manufacturer specifies a sound pressure level of 72 dB(A).

How heavy is the system?
The specified system weight is approximately 565 kg. The weight of the abrasive media stored in the silo must be added.

Is a handheld suction tube included?
No. A handheld suction tube with support wheels, a handle, and a 10-meter PU suction hose is available as an option.

Can the VAC-7HS be retrofitted into an existing blast room?
Yes. The freestanding system concept is particularly suitable for retrofitting existing blast rooms with individual material routes.

What is the benefit of the VAC-7HS?
The system combines recovery of mineral abrasive media with additional dust pre-separation and flexible intermediate storage, allowing controlled reuse or disposal of the material.