Webster Dictionary defines industrial as "pertaining to or resulting from industry." In the vacuum truck market, any truck that vacuums could be considered an industrial unit. There are many different applications available for vacuum trucks, including sewer sanitation line cleaning, storm drains, catch basins, containment pits and hydroexcavation. 

Industrial vacuum trucks use a combination of vacuum and high-pressure water at different flow rates to clean pipes and basins. Normally, the vacuumed material is damp or wet and is sometimes a slurry. The trucks easily convey wet material into the holding body or debris tank without much carryover into the atmosphere. 

Not all material is wet and the industry needs a machine capable of not only vacuuming wet material but also dry-powder-type materials, such as fly ash and cement powders. These materials, if vacuumed with a standard-style vacuum truck, would instantly create a cloud of dust out of the blower exhaust. 

An industrial vacuum loader includes cyclones, drop boxes, and most importantly, a special filtration system that filters fine particles down so there is no carryover of material into the atmosphere. This is good for the environment and healthy for the operator, as some of these materials being vacuumed can be toxic and or acidic. 

The industrial loader generally has a large positive-displacement blower capable of generating over 6,000 cfm, with vacuum capabilities of as much as 29 inches of negative pressure. These positive-displacement blowers are capable of pulling material long distances as much as 700 feet or more. 

Industrial vacuum loaders are generally found in coal-fired power plants, mines, corn producing plants, and numerous other manufacturing plants that produce fine powders that need to be cleaned and maintained. As with the standard-type combination vacuum trucks, there are many varieties of the industrial loaders available. Some machines have water systems and other unique features for the ever-changing industrial market and the different opportunities that comprise an ever-growing industry.