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Vacuum Pumps
A vacuum pump is a mechanical device that moves gas and air out of a system to create a vacuum. Certain types of compressors use this concept to operate. They have an intake pressure below atmospheric pressure and a discharge pressure equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure.
Vacuum pumps serve numerous applications across industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage packaging, pharmaceutical production, automotive and electronics. These machines provide contaminant-free environments for sensitive processes. They also enhance process efficiency. Modern vacuum pumps offer energy savings to reduce operational costs.
FAQs
Vacuum pumps and air compressors are very similar in that they perform mechanical compression, but they have some differences that make each machine unique. Compressors typically draw air from the atmosphere and discharge it at a higher pressure into a closed system. Vacuum pumps draw air or another gas out of a closed system and discharge it into the atmosphere.
The two machines operate in reverse to one another, but serve in many similar industries and applications. While they are somewhat similar, they vary in their rotating speeds, sealing designs and power consumption, which may make one more suitable for your operations than another.
Vacuum pumps are a wide category with many different types, depending on the pressure range in which they operate. Typically, these pumps operate in the rough or low vacuum range of 1,000 to 1 mbar or 760 to 0.75 torr in industrial applications. The different pumps that operate in this range include:
- Reciprocating vacuums: This design uses a crankshaft that moves pistons up and down while valves suction the gas.
- Rotary screw vacuums: A matched set of screws captures air and discharges it. This design can be oil-injected or dry, depending on the screw tolerances.
- Rotary piston: An offset piston rotates past a suction port, drawing in air to create a vacuum.
- Rotary vane vacuums: Sliding vanes mounted on a rotor spin to create a high-capacity vacuum ideal for use in automotive or aerospace industries.
- Liquid ring vacuums: These pumps use an impeller surrounded by a ring of liquid to create suction. This mostly friction-free design works well for paper-making and petroleum-refining jobs.
- Dry claw vacuums: Twin rotors turn in opposite directions without contact to compress and discharge air. The machine uses no oil or liquid, making it useful for clean applications like packing.
Industrial vacuum systems serve numerous uses, including:
- Maintaining purity during pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging
- Performing suction to remove fluids from surgical sites or airways
- Sealing perishable goods in airtight encasements
- Forming shapes in plastic and glass products like bottles and tubs
- Holding, lifting and moving products on conveyor belts at factories
- Removing gas and air molecules from liquids
Vacuum pumps, like other machines, require proper maintenance to function effectively. You can do several things to keep yours in the best possible condition. Check and change the oil regularly on oil-injected pumps to keep parts lubricated. Clean or replace filters according to manufacturer guidelines to prevent contamination and reduced airflow. Other maintenance recommendations include performing regular inspections, tightening or replacing parts and listening for unusual noises.
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