Vacuum Pumps 101

Vacuum Pumps 101

Great Lakes Vacuum

 

Introduction

Vacuum Pump usage spans such an important spectrum, from Aerospace to Food Production, yet often under the radar.  To shed some light, we have been asked to generally give some insight regarding the world of vacuum pumps and mechanical vacuum boosters, sometimes called blowers.  Industrial vacuum pumps are an essential component in a wide range of industries, facilitating processes that require controlled pressure environments. At Great Lakes Vacuum, we live and breathe vacuum technology.  With over two decades in the business, we have sold, serviced, and even manufactured our own GLV brand of rotary piston vacuum pumps—the GLV 1.5 and GLV 3.0.  Knowing that, we realize that we are biased with regards to Industrial Vacuum Pumps.  This article serves as a guide to help navigate the fundamentals of vacuum pumps and blowers.

 

What Is a Vacuum Pump, and How Does It Differ from a Blower?

Vacuum pumps and blowers both move air but serve different purposes.

  • Vacuum Pumps: Simply put, an industrial vacuum pump is a powerful device used to remove air and gases from a sealed space, creating a vacuum or reducing pressure.
  • Mechanical Vacuum Pump Boosters (Blowers): A device used to increase the performance of a vacuum system by enhancing its pumping speed and ultimate pressure. These boosters work alongside a primary vacuum pump, helping to accelerate evacuation times and improve efficiency in industrial applications.  Boosters move large volumes of air but don’t create a vacuum; instead, they enhance airflow.  Think of blowers as more of a turbo charger that connects to a pump.

While both are vital industrial components, vacuum pumps focus on suction, whereas blowers emphasize airflow and pressure delivery.

 

Types and Applications of Vacuum Pumps and Blowers

 

Types

Industrial vacuum pumps and blowers come in numerous shapes and sizes, ranging from compact designs to massive 3,000–5,000 pound (1,300-2,200 kilograms) machines; at GLV, we spend our time on the latter.  Examples of different types include:

  • Rotary Vane Pump – A compact, oil-sealed positive displacement pump that uses rotating vanes in a slotted rotor to create vacuum by trapping and compressing gas, commonly used for clean, medium-duty applications.  Often used in laboratories and packaging applications.
  • Rotary Piston Pump - An oil-sealed vacuum pump that uses an eccentrically mounted piston to mechanically trap and expel gas, making it ideal for heavy-duty industrial vacuum applications.
  • Liquid Ring Pumps – A rotating positive displacement pump that uses a sealing liquid (typically water) to form a ring inside the pump chamber, creating vacuum by trapping and compressing gas in the spaces between the impeller blades and the liquid ring. Often used in chemical processing and paper production.
  • Dry Screw Pumps – An oil-free, contactless pump that uses two intermeshing screw rotors to compress and transport gas, making it ideal for clean or corrosive applications. Ideal for cleanroom environments and semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Mechanical Booster Pump - A lobe-style, contact-free rotary pump that enhances vacuum system performance by rapidly moving large volumes of gas at low pressures, typically in conjunction with a backing pump.

 

Several manufacturers dominate the vacuum pump market, each specializing in different technologies. While Great Lakes Vacuum offers our own GLV models, brands like Stokes, Edwards, Leybold, Kinney, Roots, Welch, and Tuthill have significant market shares.

 

Applications

Their uses are vast, helping in industries such as:

  • Manufacturing: Assist in material handling, packaging, and CNC machining.
  • Medical & Pharmaceutical: Used for sterilization, laboratory processing, and drug manufacturing.
  • Food Processing: Critical for vacuum-sealing packaging and freeze-drying.
  • Automotive & Aerospace: Essential for vacuum-assisted braking systems and composite molding.
  • Thermal Processing: Used to remove air and gases from furnaces or chambers, enabling precise control of atmosphere, temperature, and contamination for processes like heat treating, brazing, and sintering.

 

Within industries, Vacuum pumps play a critical role, facilitating processes that require controlled atmospheric pressure. Here are some specific applications:

 

Vacuum Coating - Vacuum pumps are used in thin-film deposition processes, where materials are vaporized and condensed onto a surface under vacuum conditions. This technology is crucial for:

  • Optical Coatings: Anti-reflective coatings on glasses and camera lenses.
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing: Used in microchip production.
  • Decorative and Functional Coatings: Gold plating, mirror coatings, and corrosion-resistant layers.

 

Degassing - Vacuum degassing removes unwanted gases from materials, improving their quality and stability. Common uses include:

  • Metal Casting: Eliminates impurities and bubbles from molten metal to improve strength.
  • Polymer Processing: Ensures plastic or rubber products don’t contain trapped air pockets.
  • Food & Beverage: Helps remove dissolved oxygen in liquids like wine or juice to enhance shelf life.

 

Vacuum Drying - Materials that are sensitive to heat or moisture benefit from vacuum drying. Examples:

  • Pharmaceuticals: Ensures drug powders are dry without degrading their chemical properties.
  • Food Preservation: Freeze-drying for instant coffee, fruits, or ready-to-eat meals.
  • Electronics Manufacturing: Drying circuit boards after washing to prevent corrosion.

 

Vacuum Packaging - Vacuum pumps remove air from packaging to extend shelf life and prevent contamination. Industries that rely on this include:

  • Food Industry: Meat, cheese, and processed goods.
  • Medical & Sterilization: Packaging sterile surgical tools.
  • Electronics: Protects sensitive components from oxidation.

 

Vacuum Distillation  - Some substances require separation at lower temperatures to prevent degradation. Vacuum distillation is commonly used in:

  • Petroleum Refining: Separates crude oil into valuable products like gasoline and lubricants.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Purifies temperature-sensitive active ingredients.
  • Chemical Processing: Used in the production of specialty chemicals and fragrances.

 

Vacuum Forming - A technique where heated plastic sheets are shaped using suction. Applications include:

  • Automotive Industry: Producing interior panels, dashboards, and protective covers.
  • Medical Devices: Forming trays and casings for equipment.
  • Packaging Industry: Manufacturing molded plastic containers and custom trays.

 

Vacuum Sewer Systems - Used in wastewater management, vacuum pumps create suction to transport sewage efficiently. Benefits:

  • Municipal Water Systems: Reduces pipe clogging and maintenance costs.
  • Ship & Offshore Applications: Helps transport waste in confined spaces.
  • Remote Areas: Ideal for locations where conventional gravity-fed systems aren’t feasible.

 

Vacuum Lifting & Handling - Industries that handle heavy or delicate materials use vacuum systems for precision movement:

  • Glass Manufacturing: Lifting large glass sheets safely.
  • Woodworking: Holding workpieces in place without clamps.
  • Automotive Assembly: Helps position windshields and body panels accurately.

 

Conclusion

Understanding vacuum pumps and blowers is essential for efficient operation and longevity.  Whether it's selecting the right pump, maintaining it properly, or troubleshooting common issues, a little knowledge goes a long way in ensuring peak performance.

 

Great Lakes Vacuum started in 2004 and continues to operate successfully and grow within the industry, we are passionate about helping customers get the most out of their equipment.  Whether you need a new pump, repair, or expert guidance, we are here to provide trusted solutions.     www.greatlakesvacuum.com

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