VACUU·LAN® vacuum networks
Supply several workstations with one vacuum pump - our local vacuum network VACUU·LAN makes it possible. You save space and costs. At the same time, you avoid the many disadvantages of a central vacuum supply.
VACUU·LAN – Benefits at a glance
Supply several workstations with one vacuum pump
Every laboratory has its own goals and constraints. Modular vacuum systems, tailored to the specific laboratory type and user needs, can improve performance, safety, and efficiency.
- Ultimate vacuum down to 2 mbar – even lower with optimal system design
- One vacuum pump for multiple applications
- Individual pumping speed and vacuum for each workstation (only in combination with workstation controller)
- Low-maintenance and durable
- Stable and precise vacuum for each workstation
- High chemical resistance through fluoropolymers and perfluoroelastomers
- Check valves to prevent cross-contamination
- Access control in the network via user management on the vacuum controller of the pump
- Oil-free technology to avoid contamination risks
- High process safety
- Reduced acquisition, maintenance, and energy costs
- Optimized energy efficiency through demand-based vacuum supply
- Space savings and noise reduction
- Efficient solvent recovery
- Sustainable laboratory equipment
- Automatic standby mode instead of continuous operation when no vacuum is required (only in combination with VARIO® pumps)
- Wide selection of components for individual requirements
- Easy expandability
- Integration into new and existing laboratory facilities (surface or concealed wall mounting)
- Digital workstation controller for regulated vacuum outlet (integrated into laboratory furniture)
- Adaptable to changing laboratory tasks
Comparison of typical laboratory vacuum systems
While a single workstation solution offers optimal performance including automation, and a central vacuum system may be suitable for large-scale facilities, a local vacuum network represents the ideal balance between performance, efficiency, safety, and flexibility for many laboratories.
Selection of VACUU·LAN® components
Network vacuum pump
As the heart of our classic VACUU·LAN® systems, we use oil-free chemistry diaphragm pumps. These network pumps support multiple applications and users with an ultimate vacuum down to 2 mbar (even lower with optimal system design).
Vacuum controller for the workstation
Our digital compact controller VACUU·SELECT serves as a single workstation controller for more comfort and flexibility in your daily laboratory work. It provides a regulated vacuum outlet directly at the workstation.
Modules for vacuum supply and control
You determine the desired operating functions for the individual workstations. You can choose between manual or electronic control via a vacuum controller. The modules are easy to clean and integrated non-return valves prevent contamination between different applications.
Plumbing and installation
VACUU·LAN is suitable for installation in existing laboratories and for integration into newly planned laboratory furniture. The connection can be made on the front of the wall or integrated. A leak-free vacuum system can be set up quickly with the chemically resistant pipes and connectors. Thanks to the modular principle, you can easily expand the system at a later date.
10 questions for planning your laboratory vacuum supply
These include processes such as filtration, solid-phase extraction, and liquid aspiration, as well as procedures with higher vacuum requirements such as distillation, evaporation, drying, and freeze-drying. Depending on the application, different solvents are used in varying quantities. All these factors influence the desired properties of the vacuum system – particularly pressure range, performance, and chemical resistance.
The various applications require either r rough vacuum (down to approx. 1 mbar), e.g. for a rotary evaporator, or fine vacuum (below 1 mbar), e.g. for a Schlenk line. The required pumping speed ranges from low values to high performance of up to 20 m³/h, depending on the process.
For simpler processes, manual control may be sufficient in some cases. To carry out sensitive processes safely and efficiently, electronic vacuum control is recommended. With VACUU·LAN, the network pump with integrated vacuum controller provides a strong vacuum for all connections, which can be limited downward via life science mode if required. Alternatively, more precise control is possible directly at the workstation via an additional controller with two-point control. For single workstation solutions, speed-controlled VARIO® pumps offer the highest precision. In combination with suitable interfaces, these are also ideally suited for integration into automation systems.
If different users are to use multiple applications in one area, this affects both the number of outlets and the required capacity of the vacuum system. Optional function extensions such as "User Management" with individual rights assignment or "SYNCHRO" for parallel operation of two processes can also be useful.
Various modules are available for the vacuum outlets, which can also be expanded later. The module selection is based on the desired operating function – for example, manual control module, shut-off/control module, manual control module for fume hoods, or workstation controller.
The outlets can be planned individually. Depending on the position, the length of the piping and necessary connecting elements (corner connectors, T-connectors, extensions) are determined. In addition, integrated check valves are necessary to avoid mutual interference between workstations.
It is advisable to check whether the vacuum system should be designed as a combination of network and single workstation supply. In addition to network pumps that supply several workstations with vacuum simultaneously, individual workstations can then be equipped with their own pumps. This is the case, for example, with applications where automatic evaporation is required for single workstation pumps (VARIO® vacuum control with boiling point detection and adaptive vacuum tracking).
With aggressive vapors or corrosive media, it must be ensured that all components – pumps, piping, modules, and controllers – have high chemical resistance.
Depending on the area of application, safety standards and regulatory requirements must be met. This concerns, for example, the handling of toxic or infectious materials, solvent recovery, and exhaust air treatment. In laboratories with increased solvent use or explosive environments, the ATEX directives apply, for example.
Depending on whether it is a new building or renovation, integration into the laboratory furniture or open installation on the wall can be carried out. Accordingly, the selection of connection elements and vacuum lines is made. A particular advantage is that the modular vacuum system can easily be adapted or expanded to accommodate future laboratory extensions and changing requirements.
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FAQ
With a central vacuum supply, also known as a house network, all workstations in a building are supplied by one large, central vacuum pump. However, house networks reveal a number of disadvantages in day-to-day work. Mutual interference and contamination from backflowing gases are difficult to avoid in such systems. This not only disrupts process flows, but can also lead to safety risks such as the formation of explosive mixtures or the release of infectious material. In addition, such pumps are often oversized because they have to be designed for maximum operation. If you also consider that the pump is in operation around the clock, this results in unnecessarily high investment and energy costs.
In a local vacuum network, the vacuum pump only supplies a certain number of workstations in a room. The aforementioned disadvantages of a central vacuum supply are avoided. Compared to an individual workstation supply, where each workstation is equipped with a separate vacuum pump, maintenance costs for the devices and energy consumption can be reduced in addition to the acquisition costs. At the same time, noise emissions and space requirements are lower, as significantly fewer pumps are needed for daily work.
The VACUU·LAN vacuum network is suitable for applications in the rough vacuum range down to approx. 1 mbar. In lower vacuum ranges, single-workstation solutions are the rule, as otherwise the losses in terms of ultimate vacuum are too significant.
Single-workstation solutions are also advantageous if the requirements for precise vacuum control are very high or if you want to use the automatic evaporation function of a VARIO diaphragm pump.
The plumbing and fixtures are chemically resistant. In combination with a chemically resistant vacuum pump, VACUU·LAN is ideal for applications with corrosive media.
Retrofitting a laboratory with VACUU-LAN is possible without great effort. Thanks to different mounting bases, VACUU·LAN can be mounted visibly on the wall or integrated into the laboratory furniture. You can be easily extend the system. If requirements change, the vacuum fixtures can be individually adapted.
Thanks to the individual, laboratory-specific modular system, VACUU·LAN offers exactly the right solution for every laboratory.
As vacuum networks should only be used for applications in the rough vacuum range up to 1 mbar, chemistry diaphragm pumps are ideal. They run oil-free and offer excellent chemical resistance and durability. Chemistry diaphragm pumps are available in various performance classes and achieve a pumping speed of up to 20 m3/h. This variety means that the choice of vacuum pump can be perfectly adapted to the type and number of applications.
VARIO diaphragm pumps offer particular advantages for vacuum networks because they control the vacuum according to the need via the motor speed. In this way, the vacuum pump always adapts its performance to the current operation in the laboratory. This makes the pump whisper-quiet, reduces energy consumption and vibration and also extends the service life of the diaphragms.
The required ultimate vacuum and pumping speed of the chemistry diaphragm pump depends on the type and number of applications. Our experts will be happy to advise you on the optimum selection of the pump to meet your requirements.
With classic two-point control, a suction line valve is switched to keep the vacuum within the target pressure range. VARIO diaphragm pumps control the vacuum precisely via the motor speed. This more precise control leads to optimum evaporation rates and up to 30 % shorter process times. It also makes the pump whisper-quiet, reduces energy consumption and vibration and extends the service life of the diaphragms.
An emission condenser (EK) at the outlet enables almost 100 % solvent recovery. A separator (AK) on the inlet side protects the pump by collecting condensate and retaining droplets and particles.