Vacuum grinder cleaning device and method

An apparatus for removing large particles from a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a vacuum storage container having a material receiving section, a grinding pump and a disposal line;
• a suction hose extending from the vacuum storage container;
• and
• a cleaning system, wherein the cleaning system is configured to flush the suction hose and the vacuum storage container;
• wherein the cleaning system includes a fitting, the fitting comprising:
• a perforated portion extending between a first end portion and a second end portion;
• the perforated portion having an inner side wall and outer wall spaced from the inner side wall, a fluid receiving cavity extending between the inner side wall and the outer wall, the inner side wall defining a material flow passageway;
• openings provided in the inner side wall of the perforated portion, the openings having ends which open into the fluid receiving cavity;
• a port extending through the outer wall and into the fluid receiving cavity;
• and
• a fluid delivery mechanism for delivering pressurized fluid to the port.

A method for removing large particles from a vessel, the method comprising:

• vacuuming the particles into a vacuum storage container;
• pulverizing the particles in a grinding pump in the vacuum storage container;
• discharging the pulverized particles though a disposal line extending from the grinding pump through the vacuum storage container;
• controlling the operation of the grinding pump with a vessel float, wherein the vessel float communicates with the grinding pump to turn the grinding pump on and off;
• wherein the vessel float is movable between a first lowered position and a second raised position such that when the vessel float is in the first lowered position, the vessel float cooperates with the grinding pump to place the grinding pump in an off position and when the vessel float is moved to the second raised position, the vessel float cooperates with the grinding pump to place the grinding pump in an on position;
• and
• flushing a suction hose that extends from the vacuum storage container using a fitting, the fitting comprising:
• a perforated portion extending between a first end portion and a second end portion;
• the perforated portion having an inner side wall and outer wall spaced from the inner side wall, a fluid receiving cavity extending between the inner side wall and the outer wall, the inner side wall defining a material flow passageway;
• and openings provided in the inner side wall of the perforated portion, the openings having ends which open into the fluid receiving cavity.

A method for removing large particles from a vessel, the method comprising:

• vacuuming the particles into a vacuum storage container;
• pulverizing the particles in a grinding pump in the vacuum storage container;
• discharging the pulverized particles though a disposal line extending from the grinding pump through the vacuum storage container;
• and
• flushing a suction hose, the vacuum storage container, the grinding pump and the disposal line to clear any material restrictions;
• wherein the suction hose extends from the vacuum storage container, and a suction wand is provided at an end of the suction hose which is removed from the vacuum storage container;
• wherein the flushing is done using a fitting, the fitting comprising:
• a perforated portion extending between a first end portion and a second end portion;
• the perforated portion having an inner side wall and outer wall spaced from the inner side wall, a fluid receiving cavity extending between the inner side wall and the outer wall, the inner side wall defining a material flow passageway;
• openings provided in the inner side wall of the perforated portion, the openings having ends which open into the fluid receiving cavity;
• a port extending through the outer wall and into the fluid receiving cavity;
• and
• a fluid delivery mechanism for delivering pressurized fluid to the port.