Nilfisk SS MERCURY User Manual

Nilfisk SS Mercury Vacuum

Instructions for Use

Caution: This Nilfisk vacuum cleaner, or any other vacuum cleaner, is not to be used in explosion

hazardous areas as serious injury could result.

Your new Nilfisk SS Mercury Vacuum is a precision-engineered instrument designed expressly for the
capture of inorganic mercury spills and the pickup of mercury compound dust. Ordinary vacuum
cleaners do not have activated-carbon adsorbent filter cartridges for mercury vapors or HEPA* dust
filters. They cannot be used for picking up liquid spills or finely ground hazardous mercury compound
powders and dust. This Nilfisk machine is safe to use as a mercury droplet collector as long as
certain precautions are taken. It is safe to use as a hazardous dust collector as long as other
precautions are taken. Proper care of this cleaner is essential to the maintenance of its ultra-fine
filtering capabilities.

Attention Employer: Please ensure that these Instructions For Use are made available and
understood by your employees or any other person who may use this equipment.

Before Use: Do not attempt to operate this cleaner until you have installed its various components
according to the following instructions.

ASSEMBLY AND USE

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1. Remove the upper two-thirds of the cleaner by releasing the clips
attaching the adsorbent filter cartridge to the lower container. Lift off
this upper part, taking care when setting it down again that the HEPA
pre-filter is not damaged or displaced.

2. Liquid Mercury Collection: Open a GORE-TEX® droplet collection bag (#017225-01) and slide the
metal retaining clamp (#017036-01) around the collar of the bag. Slide the opening, seam side
down, over the container’s plastic inlet tube (photo 1). To secure the bag, tighten the metal
retaining clamp around the inlet tube by pulling the ends together and screwing the clamp shut.

Mercury Dust and Other Dry Applications: Remove the inlet cap

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(#017262-02). Pierce the paper bag’s perforation. Expand the paper
bag (#816200) carefully and place it in the lower container. With both
hands, pull the bag’s collar over the suction inlet (photo 2).
(The Gore-Tex bag can also be used for small dry applications.)

3. Replace the top two-thirds of the machine on the container bottom
and secure clips. Be sure that all silicone rubber seals are seated
properly to ensure that the seals are tight.

* HEPA – High Efficiency Particulate Air – Retains 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.

®

GORE-TEX is a registered trademark of W.L. Gore and Associates.

4. Installing the Fixed Power Cord: At the rear of the motor, remove and
discard the screws in either side of the plug inlet. Slide the gray cord fixer
(illustration A) into the grooves on the power cord plug. Plug cord in and
fasten cord fixer with the screws provided.

A

5. Installing the optional HEPA Exhaust Filter: If the cleaner is to be used for
the recovery of hazardous or toxic dust in a controlled environment, the
HEPA exhaust filter must be installed (photo 3). On either side of the
motor are two large screws. Turn them 90 degrees either way to a
vertical position and push down on the center of the motor handle.
This will disengage the motor handle and motor diffuser. Replace them
with the exhaust filter and its longer exhaust filter handle, then turn the
screws 90 degrees back to their original horizontal position.
The exhaust filter is now properly mounted.

6. Attaching the Accessories: For liquid mercury spills, install the clear

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Tygon hose (#017262). This hose features a tapered reinforced tip; no
nozzles are needed. For dust applications, a variety of optional
1-¼” diameter hoses, wands and nozzles is available. For added
security, the canister is equipped with positive twist safety latches
(photo 4).

7. To start and stop the motor, depress the gray switch on the front of
the motor.

CAUTION: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SPILLS BE ATTENDED TO

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IMMEDIATELY. IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE
CLEANED UP CAREFULLY, THOROUGHLY AND SLOWLY.

EMPTYING

SINCE THIS VACUUM CLEANER IS USED TO COLLECT HAZARDOUS MERCURY LIQUID AND
DUST, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN OR EMPTY ITS CONTENTS WITHOUT PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.

1. The Tygon hose that is supplied with the Nilfisk SS Mercury Vacuum Cleaner has a smooth lining.
This smooth lining not withstanding, tiny mercury droplets may occasionally remain in the hose
after the spill has been picked up. It is therefore of extreme importance that THE HOSE END BE
RAISED UP TO A VERTICAL POSITION AND SHAKEN BEFORE THE MOTOR IS SWITCHED
OFF. The hose should then be sealed with the hose clamp provided.

2. Remove the upper two-thirds of the cleaner by releasing the container clamps attaching the
adsorbent filter cartridge to the lower container. Lift off this upper part, taking care when setting it
down that the HEPA pre-filter is not damaged or displaced.

3. Liquid Mercury Collection: To remove the Gore-Tex collection bag, loosen the bag clamp.
Carefully pull bag away from inlet tube, taking care to keep the bag in a VERTICAL POSITION so
as not to spill any of its contents. Liquid mercury can then be poured from the bag into another
container for reuse or disposal, and the bag can be saved for future use.