5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Vacuum Pump

March 11, 2020 11:16 am Published by

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Vacuum Pump

 

 

Not all vacuum pumps are equal. There are a range of different pumps for different applications in different industries. Here are some questions to consider before making a choice.

  1. What is the required operating pressure?

Having a clear understanding of the operating pressure of the vacuum pump needed for your application is vital. This is something every operator should generally know. Some people can confuse operating pressure with ultimate pressure. Ultimate pressure is the deepest operating pressure produced by a pump. Operating pressure refers to the pressure required for a specific process. So, if a machine specification states the ultimate pressure as 0.01 mbar, this does not necessarily mean this is the normal operating requirement for a process.

  1. What is the required flow?

Flow is usually expressed in cubic metres per minute or per hour. American sourced machinery may quote actual cubic feet per minute (ACFM) or standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM). Mixing these up when specifying your vacuum pump could mean a unit that is oversized or undersized.

  1. Is contamination a risk?

As vacuum pumps pull the process toward the system rather than pushing air away, it is important to understand how wet or dry your application is. Wet or humid applications are extremely common, especially in the food industry. Dry applications can also cause issues in bulk material handling applications such as concrete or plastic pellets. Knowing how the vacuum pump will be used will ensure that the correct protection is in front of the pump.

  1. Where will the pump be located?

It is important to consider the locations and space available when considering a new vacuum pump. You can then be sure it will fit into the space available and that the pipework will be able to be routed suitably.

  1. What are the evacuation times and pressure parameters?

The time it takes for the required pressure level to be achieved is known as the Evacuation. This will depend very much on the application. Chemical processes will require different parameters to the food industry for instance.

With the answers to these questions to hand, talking to Harrier Pneumatics about specific types and models of vacuum pump will be far easier. We are always happy to advise on the correct selection of pump for your application. Get in touch and we will be happy to talk about your specific requirements.

 

 

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This post was written by Harrier Pneumatics