When selecting a rotary vane vacuum pump, one of the decisions you will have to make is whether to get an oil-sealed vacuum pump or an oil-free pump (also called dry pumps).
The best choice for you is really going to depend on the applications that you require the pump for.
Here are a few factors to consider as you make your choice.
Oil sealed vacuum pump
This option is likely to give you maximum efficiency and reliability under very difficult conditions. Oil-sealed pumps offer a deeper vacuum than dry pumps. Some of their advantages include:
- Long-lasting – because there is no metal-to-metal contact, there is less wear and tear on moving parts, so these pumps can last for decades.
- Low maintenance – When using an oil-sealed pump, you don’t have to worry about scale or problems with rust. This makes these pumps incredibly low maintenance.
- Low noise – if noise is a concern for you, then an oil-sealed pump may be the right choice. Decibel levels are generally between 75-80 dBA, making them quite a bit quieter than dry pumps.
- Low cost to operate – these pumps can operate for as long as 5000-10,000 hours before they need any major overhaul like vane replacements.
- Environmentally friendly – Since these pumps do not use water, the risk of contaminating groundwater is significantly reduced.
Some of the drawbacks of using an oil-sealed pump are that you will need to regularly change the oil to ensure that the unit lasts as long as it should. The use of oil also increases the risk of contamination if there is no check valve installed on the inlet of the pump. Additionally, the cost of disposing of contaminated waste can be quite high.
Oil-free vacuum pumps
Oil-free pumps will cost you more upfront than traditional oil-sealed pumps, but they require hardly any maintenance and don’t need the regular oil changes that their oil-sealed counterparts do. There is also no risk of producing contaminated waste.
There are, however, some drawbacks to using oil-free pumps. They run hotter and are not built to handle large amounts of liquid and particulates. Additionally, they can be quite a bit louder than oil-sealed pumps. Vacuum levels are in the 25” HgV range for traditional vane units.
Which option is better?
In choosing between an oil-sealed rotary vacuum pump and an oil-free pump, the best choice depends on your operation and what you need your pump to do. Some of your considerations should include energy consumption, pumping speed, vacuum depth, and factors such as your budget and sustainability.
Contact PFS Pumps today.
At PFS Pumps, we offer a wide range of models of rotary vane vacuum pumps, including customized ones. If you need assistance in determining whether an oil-sealed pump or an oil-free pump would be best, we would be happy to schedule a consultation with one of our technicians. Give us a call today to learn more.