Vacuum technology in the Laboratory – frequently asked questions and answers
The selection of a vacuum pump for laboratory applications depends primarily on the required ultimate vacuum and pumping speed. The experts at VACUUBRAND also recommend considering chemical resistance and the type of control system (e.g., VARIO).
Vacuum requirements: Rough or fine vacuum, depending on the application.
Media resistance: Chemical diaphragm pumps or chemical screw pumps for aggressive vapors
Control: Manual or electronic vacuum control.
Further links:
For applications down to 1 mbar (rough vacuum), you can use a diaphragm pump from VACUUBRAND, which fully covers this performance range and is also oil-free and therefore low-maintenance. For applications requiring a lower ultimate vacuum of down to 10⁻³ mbar (fine vacuum), you can use either oil-free screw pumps or oil-sealed rotary vane pumps from VACUUBRAND.
Vacuum range down to 1 mbar: Oil-free diaphragm pumps
- Filtration
- Distillation
- Rotary evaporators
- Vacuum concentrators
- Drying oven (primary drying)
- Etc.
Vacuum range down to 10⁻³ mbar: Oil-free screw pumps or oil-sealed rotary vane pumps
- Freeze drying
- Schlenk Line
- Distillation
- Drying oven (primary and residual drying)
- Etc
Further links:
For a Schlenk line, VACUUBRAND vacuum pumps with a low ultimate vacuum in the fine vacuum range of 10⁻³ mbar are ideal. Chemically resistant screw pumps, chemistry HYBRID pumps, or two-stage rotary vane pumps are particularly well-suited for efficiently evacuating air and moisture from the apparatus and safely handling air-sensitive substances under inert gas.
High ultimate vacuum: Reliably achieves the required fine vacuum range down to 10⁻³ mbar.
High resistance to condensate: Ideal for evaporating solvent residues without loss of performance.
Chemically resistant materials: Protect the pump from aggressive media—often enabling continuous operation without a cooling trap.
Further links:
Chemically resistant diaphragm pumps from VACUUBRAND with an ultimate vacuum below 10 mbar and integrated VARIO® vacuum control are ideal for rotary evaporation. These are available in various models with suitable pumping speeds for volumes up to 5 L or up to 20 L.
VARIO® control: Precise vacuum control for optimal evaporation rates – without foaming or sample loss.
Chemistry compatibility: Maximum resistance of all parts in contact with the medium to aggressive gases and vapors.
Sustainability: Longer service life of diaphragms and valves, reduced energy consumption.
Further links:
Optimal vacuum control ensures exact pressure values throughout the entire process without unwanted fluctuations (hysteresis)—the prerequisite for reproducible and efficient results. The more precise the control, the more reliable and faster laboratory processes run.
Precise VARIO® control:
- Control tailored to the desired vacuum profile
- Achieved through automatic adjustment of motor speed
- Includes automatic boiling point detection and continuous vapor pressure tracking
Further links:
Aggressive media can cause corrosion on the vacuum pump, leading to more frequent service calls. Chemical-resistant diaphragm pumps from VACUUBRAND have proven themselves in the rough vacuum range up to approx. 1 mbar because they reliably handle aggressive gases and vapors.
Chemically resistant materials:
- Protect all components in contact with the medium.
- Enable consistently reliable processes.
- Ensure a long service life.
Further links:
Various fluoropolymers (PTFE, ETFE, ECTFE) and perfluoroelastomers (FFKM) are characterized by excellent chemical resistance. That is why VACUUBRAND uses these materials, depending on the pump type, for all parts of diaphragm pumps and screw pumps that come into contact with the medium.
Protection against aggressive gases and vapors:
- Materials with high long-term stability and tightness
- Materials with low surface energy for minimal material adhesion
Further links:
VACUUBRAND offers numerous vacuum pumps with an integrated emission condenser (EK). This condenser condenses solvents that enter the pump in the vapor phase at the outlet under atmospheric pressure and collects them for safe disposal or reuse. This enables nearly 100% recovery—economical and environmentally friendly.
Peltronic electronic emission condenser: Condenses solvent vapors without an external cooling medium such as water or dry ice.
Further links:
Thanks to their dry and completely oil-free operation, VACUUBRAND diaphragm pumps are ideal for clean processes and the production of pure products down to approx. 1 mbar. There is no need for oil changes or disposal of used oil — making them easy to maintain and environmentally friendly.
Chemistry diaphragm pumps:
- An alternative to rotary vane pumps for the vacuum range down to 1 mbar.
- High chemistry resistance without the need for a cold trap.
- Excellent condensate compatibility.
Chemical screw pump:
- Alternative to rotary vane pumps for vacuum ranges down to 10⁻³ mbar.
- Oil-free and chemically resistant.
- No wear parts.
Further links:
Modern diaphragm pumps from VACUUBRAND require very little maintenance because they do not use oil for lubrication or sealing. Chemistry diaphragm pumps also operate without a cold trap (liquid nitrogen or dry ice). They are reliable companions in the laboratory that can withstand even aggressive gases and vapors over long periods of time.
Maintenance and service life:
- Depending on the application, maintenance intervals range from 15,000 operating hours or more
- Total service life spanning many years
VARIO® vacuum control:
- Diaphragm pumps with demand-based control
- Reduced energy consumption
- Significantly extended maintenance intervals
Further links:
Laboratory vacuum pumps from VACUUBRAND stand for reliable performance, durability, and user-friendliness — developed and manufactured in Germany. Our experts assist in selecting the right pump and provide advice on optimal operation.
High-quality materials:
- Carefully selected components for durability
- Long service life even in demanding laboratory use
Modern production:
- Precise manufacturing processes and strict testing criteria
- Ensuring consistently high quality for every pump
User-friendliness:
- Intuitive operation and well-thought-out design
- Support for daily use in the laboratory
Further links: