Category Archive: Environmental Services

Types of Vacuum Trucks

Vacuum trucks are a vital tool within the environmental services industry, capable of moving large amounts of both hazardous and non-hazardous materials. These vacuum trucks are highly versatile, with uses in industries ranging from oil and gas terminals to manufacturing. At Hull’s, we operate a fleet of 70bbl and 130bbl vacuum trucks and tankers across the southeast and the south-central United States.

Types of Vacuum Trucks

Applications for vacuum trucks vary widely, with every project requiring the removal of different materials. At Hull’s, our vacuum trucks and tankers are designed to remove and transport hazardous and non-hazardous sludge, liquids, wet products, and dry solids. Depending on the needs of our customers, we may utilize any of the following types of vacuum trucks.

Liquid Vacuum Trucks

Liquid vacuum trucks are used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications to pump liquids. This type of vacuum truck can effectively pump liquids from septic tanks, oil/water separators, catch basins, oil spills, and various other settings.

Combination Vacuum Trucks

As the name suggests, combination units can vacuum both wet and dry materials. They may utilize a hydrostatic drive for power. Typically, combination units are able to switch back and forth between dry and wet systems, allowing for a significant amount of versatility.

These trucks are an excellent option for situations requiring the removal of damp materials. Applications include the cleaning of:

• Storm Drains
• Sewer Lines
• Catch Basins
• Settling Ponds
• Drainage Ditches

Industrial Vacuum Loaders

Industrial vacuum loaders are highly versatile, offering a particular advantage when working with dry or dusty ground. These trucks function through the use of positive displacement blowers, which direct the air and make it possible to excavate a wide range of different material types. Industrial vacuum trucks are also equipped with a unique filtration system which makes it possible to use them in areas that have high amounts of flying debris and ash, such as furnaces. As such, industrial vacuum trucks are an ideal choice for many projects in chemical and manufacturing plants.

Other areas that benefit from this type of truck include:

• Farms
• Baghouses
• Food-Grade Facilities
• Power Plants

Vacuum Tankers

For applications that require more power than an industrial vacuum truck can give, vacuum tank trucks are the ideal next step. Our tanker vacuums are able to pump, hold, and transfer a variety of liquids and slurries at higher capacities than vacuum trucks. We own and operate a fleet of 130bbl vacuum tankers across all locations.

Vacuum Truck Services from Hull’s

At Hull’s, we maintain a fleet of vacuum trucks and tankers in Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. We serve the entire southeast and south central United States and are able to transport both hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Our highly-trained staff will work with you to determine the best vacuum equipment for your needs. To learn more about our vac truck services, contact us or request your quote today.

PFAS Contamination – What Are We To Do With These Emerging Contaminants?

Step aside climate change. In the environmental realm, there might not be any hotter topic right now than PFAS, the family of substances that were used in the production of fabric protection products, electronics, cleaners, waxes, household and commercial products, and fire-fighting aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).

So what’s the big deal? The big deal lies in three main characteristics of PFAS. The first problem with PFAS is their non-biodegradeable nature. Simply put, they just don’t break down in the environment through exposure to the natural elements like sunlight and weather. Their chemical stability also means that they don’t react with other chemicals to tear apart their bonds and break them down into other chemicals. And finally, they are bioaccumulative, with the propensity to build up to greater and greater levels in plants and animals, a nightmare for the food chain.

These substances are commonly found in soil, groundwater, and surficial bodies of water in areas where they were previously used for manufacturing, storing or disposal.

The real challenge with PFAS is how to remediate and dispose of them using conventional methodologies. The very chemical properties that make them ideal for use in fire fighting and as a water repellent, also make them challenging to capture and dispose of with common remediation techniques. The solutions have to be effective and economically sustainable.

Furthermore, there is growing concern about how to best dispose of these persistent chemicals. While incineration may be the thought of as the most effective disposal method, controversy does still exist about the temperature needed to destroy these chemicals and the facilities that can reliably do so. Alternatively, there are options to landfill the waste, however, with EPA’s Cradle-to-Grave Hazardous Waste Management Program in force since the mid 1970s, many private sector companies as well as the military, would prefer to mitigate their future risk and avoid putting these PFAS substances into a landfill.

Some in the engineering, consulting and environmental industries believe that PFAS is the next asbestos crisis and that there will be sweeping changes and cleanup projects in the years to come.

Whatever the case might be, Hull’s Environmental Services does work with a variety of professional geologists, hydrogeologists, engineers, environmental consultants and project managers that are managing projects involving PFAS. Our experience with managing a wide range of waste streams , our connections within the TSDF industry for waste disposal and our project history with contaminated site remediation means we can support your next project with PFAS.

Vacuum Excavation – Exposing Underground Utilities the Better Way

Hull’s Deemed an ‘Essential’ Business During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

On March 19th, 2020 the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released guidance to help state and local jurisdictions and the private sector identify and manage their essential workforce while responding to COVID-19.

As an emergency response contractor for cleanup and remediation of oils, fuels, chemicals and biohazardous substances, Hull’s has been closely monitoring it’s role in these unprecedented times. As expected and based on the service we provide our customers, Hull’s is classified as an essential business by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Per CISA’s website , “the list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers was developed in coordination with Federal agencies and the private sector as a guide to help decision-makers within communities understand how to ensure continuity of essential functions and critical workforce as they consider COVID-related restrictions in certain communities (e.g., shelter-in-place). The list can also inform critical infrastructure community decision-making to determine the sectors, sub sectors, segments, or critical functions that should continue normal operations, appropriately modified to account for Centers for Disease Control (CDC) workforce and customer protection guidance. These critical functions include, but are not limited to, systems that support healthcare personnel (e.g., doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel, etc.), the food industry (e.g., retail groceries and pharmacies), communication providers (e.g., operator, call centers, IT data centers), defense systems support, law enforcement, public works, and other essential operations. Workers who support these critical functions are necessary to keep critical systems and assets working.”

While we already provide emergency response services related to biohazards and biological threats, we’ve also developed current, specific standard operating procedures (SOP) for disinfection service to incidents where there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, a suspected case of COVID-19 or precautionary measures being taken. The SOP is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).

If your business is considering disinfection services related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), contact Hull’s directly through our online Coronavirus information request form or by phone at 866-450-9077.

New Industrial Vacuum Loader Goes Right To Work

Hull’s recently took possession of a brand new Guzzler CL. The Guzzler industrial vacuum loader is a bona-fide workhorse when it comes to wet/dry industrial cleaning applications. This machine is incredibly effective in industrial settings for recovering, containing, and carrying solids, dry bulk powders, liquids, slurries and sludges.

Being put right to work upon delivery, our new industrial vacuum loader was engaged in collecting and transporting wood chips from an industrial processing facility. Given the location of the wood chips, the versatility of the hose and boom extension made quick work of an otherwise cumbersome setting that would have required a more tedious, mechanical approach.

The versatility and application of these machines is quite remarkable. With 18 cubic yards of load capacity, up to 5,250 CFM of air flow, baghouse filtration and a positive displacement blower, these units excel in industrial settings such as manufacturing plants and facilities as well as commercial settings like railroads, oil & gas and underground utilities.

Clean Gulf Conference Always A Win-Win

The annual Clean Gulf conference and exhibition is always a valued event for emergency response contractors like Hull’s Environmental Services. The confluence of representatives from both industry and government really affords the opportunity to network with peers, prospects, current customers and suppliers.

With a common goal of understanding what’s happening and what’s evolving with respect to planning, preparation and response to oil and hazardous material spills, there are always valuable takeaways when attending.

For Hull’s, this annual event is a welcome break to catch up with old friends, make new friends, negotiate with vendors, engage in casual conversation with clients and have meaningful conversations with prospects looking for an OSRO.

It also never hurts that the event rotates between four lively and dynamic cities in Tampa, New Orleans, San Antonio and occasionally Houston. A great time was had by all who attended this year in New Orleans and we look forward to next year once again!