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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a smaller flow-rate unit?

Question: Do you have a smaller unit that will operate below the recommended minimum flow rate of the standard-sized unit?

Answer: No, we do not make a smaller unit. This request falls into a common case where low flow or very thick fluid is pumped through the eductor. Thicker fluids cause low flow due to increased viscosity, which causes the vacuum hose option to be ineffective. The operator can overcome this situation by restricting the flow through the valve to the desired slower flow rate (e.g., 5-10 gpm) and adding the wetable powder slowly with the funnel option. The same non-clog features will still function, and mixing will be almost as thorough. Some recirculation and mixing afterwards may be needed.

Note: The minimum recommended flow rate is based on a flow that still produces a productive vacuum for pulling dry powder through‎ the hose with clean water. If the user employs the funnel feed option, the vacuum is not required to draw the powder into solution or suspension. As with all funnel operations, care should be exercised to control the powder introduction rate by slowly adding only what the moving fluid can accommodate.

How firm should I tighten the Hootonanny?

When you tighten the Hootonanny, you should use the best industry practices for handling any other PVC piping system.

Follow these steps when tightening the Hootonanny:

    1. Tighten the Hootonanny finger tight, plus one and one-half (1½) turns and no more than two (2) turns.

    2. Take extra care when using Teflon tape.

Note: Thread sealant is recommended but Teflon tapes tend to lubricate the threads making it easier to tighten while inadvertently overstressing and cracking the female threads.

What is the maximum pressure that can be run through the eductor?

The Hootonanny eductor is designed to be disassembled and cleaned if necessary to remove water-borne debris that may have been inadvertently introduced. In the as-received configuration the maximum recommended operating pressure is 40 psi. If a higher pressure rating is needed, the stainless steel set screw should be removed and the vacuum bushing pulled out and permanently glued in place. The operating pressure will then be limited by the normal operating pressure of 1¼ SCH 40 PVC fittings (220 psi at 73F or 23C).

Do you make larger units?

No, bench testing has shown that larger units do not mix polymers or other wettable dry powders efficiently when the core diameter is increased. A single unit safely accommodates flow rates up to 30 - 40 GPM, which pulls up to 0.5lbs/gal of dry powder when using the pickup hose provided. Higher flow rates can be achieved by using multi-gang configurations with two or more eductors plumbed in parallel (see the CE Hooton Gallery for units configured for 240 GPM).

What is the maximum pickup height the Hootonanny can vacuum up dry powder?

The vacuum that is developed by the eductor depends on the flow rate. Higher flow rates produce more vacuum; therefore, the ability to vacuum the powder is variable. Nevertheless, the hose length also affects efficiency. The six-foot length that is provided with the unit balances pickup-height potential with vacuum losses from hose length. Lengths up to ten (10) feet have been shown to be functional, whereas shorter lengths extending to closer powder bins tend to pick up faster. It is convenient to tailor water flow rate and vacuum pickup rates to achieve the target solution mix ratio (e.g., lbs/gal) without recirculation. See Literature for these measurements "Proper Use of the Hootonanny Eductor."

Do you make metal versions of the Hootonanny?

No, in the early 1960s some metal units were produced but were found to be more difficult to clean and maintain. Fabrication costs were also much higher. At present, there are no plans to reintroduce metal units as an option.

What is the maximum fluid temperature that can be pumped through the Hootonanny?

The Hootonanny body is made of PVC and ABS plastic components with a Teflon® nozzle at its core. The maximum operating temperature is therefore 140F (60C) with an estimated 20% strength loss at that temperature (or 175 psi max at 140F).

How can I prevent the vacuum tube from wetting from occasional blockage?

The Hootonanny produces approximately 25 in-Hg of vacuum pressure, which is enough to pull water up into the vacuum hose if the end of the hose becomes blocked from aggressive vacuuming or suction against the dry powder pan or bag. This is normal, but not desirable as it wets the inside of the tube and Teflon® nozzle. Subsequently vacuumed powder will then stick to the sides of the tube and ultimately prevent further mixing operations. Cleaning and drying the tube and Teflon® nozzle must be performed to prevent clogging. If this persists, inadvertent wetting of the vacuum hose can be prevented by drilling two or three 1/8-inch diameter holes into the fully inserted clear vacuum hose, just above the Hootonanny body to break the vacuum. This solution will not significantly affect the normal unblocked air flow in the hose, but will prevent vacuum from forming enough to wet the hose and vacuum chamber.

How can I control the powder flow rate if I am using a funnel to feed the Hootonanny?

Funnel feeding is sometimes a convenient means to introduce powder but the powder will flow through the funnel like an hour glass even when no water is flowing. Conversely, the vacuum hose feeds proportional to the water inflow rate.

You can use one of the following options to control the flow when using a funnel:

  1. Use a wormdrive or augerfeed device to feed the funnel and control the powder introduction rate, which can also be driven proportional to the water flow rate.

  2. Place the funnel beside the Hootonanny eductor body and connect the bottom of the funnel to the top of the eductor body with the provided vacuum tube.

  3. Insert a restrictor plate or smaller funnel inside the funnel bottom powder container to regulate the flow to a lesser rate. This can be supplemented with a rubber flap below the restrictor plate to shut off flow while water is not flowing.

Options 2 and 3 may require two or three 1/8-inch diameter holes to be drilled into the side of the funnel base just above the eductor body to prevent wetting the vacuum chamber from inadvertent blockages.

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Video instructions

Setting up your Hootonanny

This video shows the steps for setting up a Hootonanny and using it to mix a dry polymer solution.

Right-click and select the appropriate "save as" option to download the Hootonanny setup video. Mobile devices may not support downloads.

Using a vacuum hose with the Hootonanny

This video shows how to use a vacuum hose with the Hootonanny to mix a dry polymer solution.

Right-click and select the appropriate "save as" option to download the Hootonanny setup video. Mobile devices may not support downloads.

Using a funnel with the Hootonanny

This video shows how to use a funnel with the Hootonanny to mix a dry polymer solution.