In the industrial sector, vacuum pumps play a vital role in numerous production, handling, and processing operations. They create a vacuum to suction, transport, hold, or package various materials, gases, or industrial products.
Industrial vacuum technology is used today in many sectors, including food processing, plastics, chemicals, medical, woodworking, metallurgy, and pneumatic systems.
Depending on the application, several vacuum pump technologies can be used: diaphragm pumps, screw pumps, positive displacement vacuum pumps, claw pumps, blowers, compact piston pumps, lubricated piston pumps, dry vane pumps, Roots/booster vacuum pumps, liquid ring vacuum pumps, and lubricated vane pumps.
As a distributor and integrator of industrial vacuum solutions, GEFI has spent many years supporting manufacturers across diverse sectors such as plastics, food processing, woodworking, chemicals, gas treatment, and pneumatic conveying. This field experience allows our teams to help manufacturers choose the technology best suited to their production requirements.
Understanding how a vacuum pump works is an essential step in selecting equipment that is high-performing, reliable, and cost-effective.
Table des matières
What is an industrial vacuum pump?
An industrial vacuum pump is a device designed to extract air or gases from a closed volume to lower the pressure inside it.
Contrary to popular belief, a vacuum pump does not create a vacuum. It gradually removes the air molecules contained within a system until the desired vacuum level is reached.
The lower the quantity of gas present in the system, the lower the pressure becomes.
This physical phenomenon is used in thousands of industrial applications. Some require only a slight vacuum, while others demand much higher vacuum levels.
Industrial vacuum technology can be used to hold parts in place via suction, transport bulk products, package food items, dry certain materials, recover or transfer gases, and improve various chemical processes.
Choosing a vacuum pump always depends on the specific application, the required vacuum level, and operational constraints.
Key components of a vacuum pump
Example using an oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump: “Add functional diagram”
Although there are many different technologies, most vacuum pumps rely on similar mechanical elements. The pump housing forms the main structure of the equipment. It ensures the rigidity of the assembly as well as the airtightness required for the system to function properly.
The rotor is the central moving component. Its rotation creates the volume variations necessary to draw in and then compress gases. Depending on the technology used, this rotor may be equipped with vanes, screws, claws, pistons, or lobes.
Filtration also plays an essential role. It protects internal components from dust and contaminants that could degrade performance or accelerate wear. In lubricated pumps, oil helps with cooling, lubrication, and internal sealing of the system.
Finally, the motor and cooling systems ensure reliable operation even in the most demanding industrial environments.
How a vacuum pump works
All vacuum pumps are based on the same physical principle: gradually removing gas molecules from a closed volume to reduce its pressure.
When the pump starts, it draws in the air contained within the system.
This air is then transferred to the compression chamber, where its volume is reduced.
Finally, it is discharged to the outside.
The operating cycle therefore consists of three main stages:
1. Gas intake.
2. Internal compression.
3. Discharge to the outside.
This cycle repeats continuously until the desired vacuum level is reached.
The decrease in pressure inside the system creates a pressure differential with the outside atmosphere.
It is precisely this difference that allows a suction cup to hold a load, a pneumatic system to transport a product, or a thermoforming machine to press material against a mold.
How is vacuum measured?
Vacuum can be expressed in several units.
The most common in industry are absolute millibar (mbara), Pascal (Pa), Torr, and percentage of vacuum.
In industrial practice, absolute millibar (mbara) remains the most widely used reference.
It is important to understand that a low pressure value corresponds to a high vacuum.
Examples:
· Atmospheric pressure: approximately 1,013 absolute mbar.
· Vacuum at 100 absolute mbar.
· Vacuum at 1 absolute mbar.
The lower the residual pressure, the higher the vacuum level.
Industrial vacuum levels
Not all industrial applications require the same level of vacuum.
Rough vacuum accounts for the majority of industrial needs. It is found primarily in packaging, handling, thermoforming, and pneumatic conveying.
Medium vacuum concerns applications requiring higher performance.
High vacuum is generally reserved for specific specialized applications in industry, research, or laboratories.
In the field, we regularly observe that a project should not be sized solely based on the target vacuum level.
The required flow rate is often just as important. A pump capable of reaching an excellent vacuum level may prove unsuitable if it does not provide the flow rate required by the industrial process.
Main types of vacuum pumps
There is no single technology capable of meeting all industrial applications. Each operating principle has its own advantages, limitations, and preferred areas of use.
Choosing the right technology always depends on the process, the target vacuum level, the required flow rate, operating conditions, and maintenance constraints.
Oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps
Oil-lubricated vane pumps are among the most widely used technologies in the industry. They operate using an eccentric rotor equipped with sliding vanes that move inside a stator. As the rotor turns, the volumes change, allowing for the suction and subsequent compression of gases.
Oil performs several essential functions: lubrication, cooling, sealing, and mechanical protection. This technology is particularly valued for its robustness, simplicity of operation, and excellent cost-performance ratio. It is frequently found in packaging, food processing, plastics manufacturing, and centralized vacuum networks.
Liquid ring pumps use a service liquid to create a dynamic seal inside the pump.
This design allows them to handle wet gases, vapors, or fluids that are difficult to process with other technologies.
They are particularly well-suited for harsh operating conditions or processes that generate significant moisture.
They are commonly found in the chemical, paper, and gas processing industries.
Manufacturers offer several families of liquid ring vacuum pumps to meet various industrial needs. Commonly used series include TRAVAINI models, TRHE, TRHB, TRHC, TRHA, TRSE, TRSC, TRSB, TRSA, TRVX, TRVA, and TRVB, covering a wide range of applications, flow rates, and operating conditions.
Screw and Claw Vacuum Pumps
Screw and claw technologies are increasingly popular among industrial users seeking energy-efficient solutions.
These pumps operate without direct mechanical contact between moving parts, which limits wear and reduces maintenance requirements.
They generally offer high energy efficiency, great reliability, long maintenance intervals, and continuous operation suitable for industrial environments.
Roots Blowers
Roots blowers, also known as boosters, are generally not used on their own.
They are used to supplement a primary pump to significantly increase pumping speeds or improve the overall performance of the system.
They are particularly common in centralized vacuum networks, high-flow installations, and pneumatic conveying systems.
Industrial vacuum applications.
Vacuum technology is now present in most industrial sectors. Each application has its own constraints and often requires a specific approach.
Plastics and thermoforming
In the plastics industry, vacuum plays an essential role in thermoforming processes.
The plastic material is heated and then pressed against a mold using the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump.
Vacuum quality directly influences part precision, cycle times, and finish quality.
Food processing.
In the food industry, vacuum is used for packaging, pneumatic conveying of ingredients, drying, and various handling operations.
The vacuum level must be perfectly controlled to ensure product quality and production continuity. Equipment reliability is often a decisive factor in this sector.
Pneumatic conveying
Pneumatic conveying allows for the movement of powders, granules, or bulk products through pipelines using a pressure differential.
In this type of installation, the available flow rate is often just as important as the vacuum level itself.
Poor sizing can lead to pressure drops, blockages, reduced productivity, and excessive energy consumption.
At GEFI, we regularly encounter these types of issues during expansion or modernization projects for existing installations.
Industrial handling
Vacuum is also used to handle loads using suction cup gripping systems.
This technology allows for the movement of sheet metal, panels, cardboard boxes, and industrial parts.
Vacuum handling systems help improve productivity while reducing the risks associated with manual handling.
Chemicals and gas processing.
In the chemical and gas processing industries, vacuum is used in numerous operations: degassing, evaporation, distillation, gas recovery, and fluid transfer.
Constraints are often significant due to the presence of wet, corrosive, or particulate-laden gases.
Choosing the right technology therefore becomes particularly strategic.
Need help identifying the right technology for your process?
Every industrial application has its own operational constraints. The GEFI teams can conduct a technical study to identify the solution best suited to your needs and expected performance.
Choosing a vacuum pump is about more than just picking a model from a catalog.
Every application has its own unique operational, maintenance, performance, and energy consumption requirements.
The goal is to understand the entire process to provide a solution that is consistent, reliable, and sustainable.
This is precisely the approach developed by GEFI. We are integrators and solution providers.
Our teams support industrial clients with:
· Needs analysis.
· Equipment sizing.
· Technology selection.
· Energy optimization.
· Upgrading existing installations.
This comprehensive approach allows us to provide solutions tailored to real-world conditions rather than just theoretical data.
GEFI relies on recognized manufacturers in the industrial vacuum sector, such as DVP Vacuum Technology, MD-Kinney, Pneumofore, Lutos, Pedro Gil, FPZ, and Leybold. This diversity of solutions allows us to guide our clients toward the most relevant technology based on their specific constraints.
Field expertise above all else. Every industrial project is unique. An installation that performs well at one site may be completely unsuitable for another.
The experience gained working with manufacturers across various sectors is essential for securing technical choices and ensuring the expected performance.
This pragmatic approach guides GEFI's recommendations.
Your questions about vacuum pumps
What is a vacuum pump used for?
A vacuum pump extracts air or gases from a system to create a vacuum used in many industrial processes.
Can a vacuum pump run continuously?
Yes. Many industrial pumps are designed to operate 24/7 when properly sized and maintained.
Do vacuum pumps consume a lot of energy?
Consumption depends primarily on the technology used, the system sizing, and its overall condition. An optimized system often significantly reduces electricity consumption.
What is the difference between a dry pump and a lubricated pump?
A lubricated pump uses oil for sealing, cooling, and lubrication.
A dry pump operates without oil in the compression chamber.
Which technology should I choose?
The choice depends on the required vacuum level, the necessary flow rate, the nature of the gases being extracted, maintenance constraints, and energy goals.
When should a vacuum pump be replaced?
Replacement may be considered when performance declines, maintenance costs rise, or when newer technology offers significant reductions in operating costs.
Our goal is to provide high-performance, reliable equipment that aligns with the real-world demands of your business.
Do you have a project that requires an industrial vacuum solution?
GEFI experts will guide you in choosing the technology best suited to your application.
Choosing a vacuum pump cannot be limited to reading a data sheet or comparing a few specifications. In the field, GEFI teams regularly observe that two installations with similar vacuum levels may require completely different technologies. To select an appropriate solution, several criteria must be studied simultaneously.
The required vacuum level
The vacuum level is naturally the first element to analyze. Some applications simply require a slight vacuum, while others demand a much deeper vacuum. The goal is to find the right balance between technical performance and operating costs. An unnecessarily high vacuum level can lead to oversizing the installation and excessive energy consumption.
The required flow rate
The flow rate represents the quantity of gas that the pump must be able to evacuate within a given time.
This criterion is often underestimated during initial studies.
However, a pump capable of reaching the required vacuum level may prove insufficient if its flow rate does not meet process requirements.
In pneumatic conveying applications or centralized vacuum networks, flow rate is often the deciding factor.
The nature of the gases being pumped
Not all gases present the same challenges.
Humid gases, vapors, dust, solvents, or corrosive gases can directly influence the choice of technology. Some pumps handle harsh environments perfectly, while others require specific protection.
A thorough understanding of the process is therefore essential before selecting any equipment.
Operating mode
A system used occasionally will have different requirements than one running 24/7. Usage duration, production cycles, and operating conditions must be considered during the design phase.
Energy goals
Energy accounts for a significant portion of the total operating cost of a vacuum system. Today, many manufacturers are looking for solutions to reduce their electricity consumption while maintaining the same level of performance. The choice of technology can have a significant impact on long-term operating costs. Adding a variable speed or frequency drive is also a key factor.
ConseilGEFI
Une pompe à vide performante n'est pas forcément la plus puissante.
C'est avant tout celle qui répond précisément aux besoins réels de l'installation et qui s'intègre parfaitement au procédé industriel.
Why optimize your vacuum system?
In many factories, vacuum systems have been running for years without having undergone an in-depth analysis.
Yet, the potential gains are often significant.
An improperly sized, aging, or leaking system can lead to excessive power consumption, reduced performance, premature equipment wear, higher maintenance costs, and production downtime.
Optimization efforts can focus on several areas:
· Replacement of aging equipment.
· Improvement of control systems.
· Leak detection.
· Modernization of existing technology.
In some cases, energy optimization can fund a significant portion of the investment through the savings generated.
