Vacuum pumps were invented roughly in the 1650s. Over the centuries, this piece of machinery has seen a lot of evolution and modernization. It has now become an integral part of many industrial processes, research labs, and even households. Vacuum pumps are an efficient way to transport liquid and gas from one place to another. Read on to learn more about this piece of technology, its different types, and ways to choose one that’s best suited to your needs.

Vacuum pump – Overview
A vacuum pump is a type of equipment that works to generate partial or low amounts of pressure by either pushing gas or air molecules out of a sealed area. This sealed area is a vacuum chamber where the pressure is lower than the outside atmosphere or any nearby area. This chamber is different from an absolute vacuum, where the pressure is at 0 Pa, and there are no gas molecules. The idea behind a vacuum pump is to convert energy into pressure. The higher the atmospheric pressure in the area, the most efficient the operation of the pump. Vacuum pumps are designed in a number of ways with different technologies based on the pressure requirements of the individual. When setting up a pump, it is crucial to get the parameters of the pump right to get the most efficiency.

Types of vacuum pumps
There are a number of vacuum pumps available in the market. But, they all fall into a few main categories such as:

Rotary vane vacuum pumps
The rotary vane vacuum pump is a great choice if you are looking for excellent performance at affordable costs. There are small and compact and yet deliver high vacuum capabilities. They can be used mainly for water samples and solvents that boil quickly. These types of pumps require regular maintenance, which helps give you the best performance. On the downside, you need to keep replacing the oil to reduce wear and tear.

Diaphragm vacuum pumps
A diaphragm pump is resistant to chemicals and corrosion. This makes them suitable for working with acidic or corrosive substances. They are widely used in various industries where it is required to pump foods, water, syrups, cosmetics, and more. These pumps are also dry pumps, which means you do not need to maintain oil lubrication for them to function efficiently.

Scroll vacuum pumps
Scroll vacuum pumps are used for both wet and dry materials. This is what makes them very popular in laboratories. They pump and compress liquid or gaseous substances with the help of two spiral scrolls. They are small and silent and do not require any oil to function efficiently. The downside of using these pumps is that they are prone to dirt and dust; thereby, the seal often has to be replaced to preserve the tightness and maintain the pressure.

Turbomolecular vacuum pumps
A turbomolecular vacuum pump can provide pressure of up to 12 mbar. It has an electric motor that rotates the blades present in the pump at high speeds. This removes the air and allows the substance to be displaced with pressure. This type of pump does not require any oil and therefore is easy to use. Turbomolecular pumps are expensive compared to standard pumps. This is because they have complex technology.

Factors to consider before choosing a vacuum pump
When choosing a vacuum pump, several factors must be considered. Your decision to buy the pump should be based on its purpose, which will help you make decisions about the technology, the type of lubrication, chemical resistance, and even the required flow rate. Here’s some more information about these factors:

Chemical resistance and compatibility
Before you make the purchase, you need to check the compatibility and resistance of the pump to certain chemicals that you will be using.

Lubrication
You also need to pay attention to whether the vacuum pump is dry or wet. A dry pump does not require oiling and lubrication, whereas a wet vacuum pump requires regular maintenance. This can lead to additional costs that are not included in the purchase price of the pump. But note that wet vacuum pumps have much more efficiency and resistance than dry pumps. So, you need to decide if you want efficiency in terms of performance or cost and maintenance.

Flow rate
The flow rate of a vacuum pump is proportional to the time the machine will take to drain. The faster the flow rate, the less time the pump will take to drain. You can decide on the type of machine you want based on how quickly you want the machine to work.

If you want to purchase a vacuum pump, you can check out popular brands such as Robinair AC Vacuum Pump, Zeny AC Vacuum Pump, Busch vacuum, Becker Pumps, and more. A vacuum pump can cost you anywhere between $90 to $999, depending on the brand and type of product.