Vacuum Pumps

Description

Vacuum pumps are devices which remove gas molecules present in a sealed volume for leaving behind a partial vacuum. Vacuum pumps are broadly classified according to three techniques, which are entrapment, momentum transfer and positive displacement. The performance of vacuum pumps is measured by two terms, namely, throughput and pumping speed. In certain instances, more than one pump is utilized for a single application. Vacuum is measured in mm of mercury.  

Types

Vacuum pumps are classified as:

• Water-ring vacuum pumps
• Oil sealed rotary high vacuum pumps
• Rotary vane vacuum pressure pumps
• Oil free diaphragm vacuum pressure pumps
• Direct drive rotary high vacuum pumps
• Direct drive water ring vacuum pumps
• Piston type dry vacuum pumps

Specification

The specifications to be considered while purchasing a vacuum pump are:

• Maximum suction capacity
• Motor HP required
• Sealing water required
• Pump speed
• Ultimate pressure
• Free air displacement
• Approximate oil charge

Applications

• Water-ring vacuum pumps find application in industries such as pharmaceutical, petrochemicals, plastic, textiles, cement, distilleries, cigarette, ceramics, tiles, and food confectionery. They are also used in metallurgical laboratories, pneumatic conveying, impregnation plants, refrigeration plants, and furnaces
• Oil sealed rotary high vacuum pumps are made use of in film coating, sublimation, dehydration, impregnation, annealing, distillation, filtration, forming, lifting, drying, and filling
• Piston type dry vacuum pumps are employed in hospitals, and sugar industries, and for paper handling operations

Generally, vacuum pumps are used in wide range of applications including:

• Production of  vacuum tubes, CRTs, and electric lamps
• Medical applications such as Radiopharmacy, Radiosurgery, Radiotherapy
• Vacuum coating for durability and decoration
• Ophthalmic coating
• Trash compactor
• Freeze drying
• Semiconductor processing
• Analytical instrumentation for analyzing solid, liquid, and gas
• Air conditioning service
• Vacuum engineering
• Semiconductor processing
• Hard coating for engine
• Glass coating