Vacuum lifter for underwater use

For decades vacuum technology has been widely used to handle various types of products during manufacturing, construction, storage, and loading and unloading for transportation. But can one use a vacuum lifter underwater?

Chinese water project

Within a drinking water project in China, a contractor had to place concrete plates on the bottom and sides of a river. Thus, with less mud in the water, the expenses of treating it for drinking are reduced.  However, the divers had to place concrete plates underwater manually. This involved quite a lot of risk.

Safety of the vacuum technology

The vacuum technology is known for its safety. When handling with vacuum no one needs to be close to the product: an operator can handle the goods from a safe distance. In this case, the driver can operate the vacuum lifter from the excavator cabin using cameras. So vacuum handling seems to be an ideal solution for this project. But is it also possible to use a vacuum lifter underwater?

Underwater solution

Vacuum technology can well be used underneath the water surface. Our engineers designed an effective solution, and in 2022 we successfully supplied a vacuum lifter for underwater use within this Chinese drinking water project.

Next to the standard components of a vacuum lifter, such as the vacuum pump, vacuum tank, and suction pads, this underwater solution is equipped with a separator tank and extra valves. The separator tank is necessary to prevent water from reaching the main components of the vacuum lifter.

From that moment no divers had to risk their health, and the placement of concrete plates became much safer and more efficient.

About Aerolift

We design, manufacture, and supply heavy industrial lifting solutions that can handle loads ranging from 1 to 150 tons, and more.

Our portfolio includes vacuum lifters, vacuum turners, and mechanical grippers, designed to enable the handling of prefab concrete products, metal sheets, pipes, wind turbine parts, and other loads. Our solutions stand out due to their robust design, high-quality components, and our know-how.

With 60 years of experience, we are committed to tailoring the best possible solution to meet your unique needs. Contact us to discuss how we can help you optimize your material handling.