Industries use vacuum pumps for a range of applications; however, these pumps are not made equal. Before you pick a vacuum pump, there are considerations to keep in mind. Getting information beforehand helps you buy the perfect LeDab vacuum pumps for your specific application. If you are buying new vacuum pumps, consider the following:
The Required Operating Pressure
It is imperative that you know the required operation for the application. Generally, operators are aware of this. However, when buying new equipment, some people combine the pump’s required operating pressure and the ultimate pressure. Ultimate pressure refers to the deepest operating pressure that can be produced by a given pump while operating pressure refers to the pressure a certain process requires. If the ultimate pressure of a machine is 0.01 mbar, this doesn’t have to be a process’ normal operating requirement.
The Required Flow
When it comes to pump flow, it can be expressed as standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) and actual cubic feet per minute (ACFM). SCFM is the flow at a certain set of conditions while ACFM refers to the flow at the actual condition. These terms should not be mixed; otherwise, you could end up buying an undersized or oversized vacuum pump.
Contamination Risks
When you buy a vacuum pump, you must discuss how dry or wet your application is with the seller as this poses risks to the pump system. In the food packaging industry, humid or wet applications are quite common. With some processes, moisture may be pulled back into the vacuum pump. This information helps your seller specify the right technology and protect the pump from adverse reactions, contamination, or premature failure.
In addition, dry applications pose possible problems. Vacuum pumps can be used for moving bulk material for plastic or concrete pallets, which can end up in the vacuum pump without sufficient filtration. So, when you buy a vacuum pump, ensure you know how it will be used. Contamination can damage the pump as well as the oil for lubricating, cooling, and sealing the pump.
Temperature-Related Concerns
The application’s temperature can impact the health of the pump system. As air is pulled into the pump system, extreme temperatures affect the functionality of the pump.
Often, welding operations are carried out under a vacuum to minimise contamination. However, the gas is hotter than the average vacuum process. High heat can damage the oil used for cooling the system, creating a seal, or lubricating the pump, possibly damaging the equipment. Also, the pump can be damaged due to cooler than average temperatures.
