20 17200918_001_A1 - 06/2008 - © Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum
Operation
4.3 Operation
These pumps are capable of pumping gases and vapours. Vapours can only
be pumped provided the gas ballast valve is open and provided the pump
has attained its operating temperature.
The maximum vapour tolerance is attained when the gas ballast valve (6/7) is
set to position 3.
4.3.1 Pumping of Non-Condensable Gases and Vapours
In the presence of excess quantities of permanent gases the TRIVAC NT may
be operated without gas ballast (position 0), provided the saturation vapour
pressure at the operating temperature is not exceeded during compression.
If the composition of the gases which are to be pumped is not known and if
the possibility of condensation within the pump can not be excluded, we
recommend operation of the pump with the gas ballast valve open (in accor-
dance with Chapter 4.3.2).
4.3.2 Pumping of Condensable Gases and Vapours
With the gas ballast valve open and when the pump is running at its opera-
ting temperature, pure water vapour can be pumped up to the extent stated
in the technical data for the pump (position 3 of the gas ballast valve). When
the vapour pressure increases above the permissible level, the vapour will
condense in the oil of the pump. When pumping vapours make sure that the
gas ballast valve is open and that the pump has been running for at least 30
minutes with the intake line closed and with gas ballast.
It will be possible to pump vapours up to the permissible limit only after
the pump has reached its operating temperature.
During the pumping process vapours may dissolve in the oil of the pump.
This impairs the properties of the oil and there is the risk of corrosion wit-
hin the pump. For this reason the pump must not be switched off imme-
diately after termination of the process. The pump must remain on with
the gas ballast valve open and the intake line sealed until all vapours
which were dissolved in the oil have been removed.
We strongly recommend that the TRIVAC NT pumps be left running for
about 30 minutes after termination of the process.
In the case of cyclic or repetitive processes the TRIVAC NT should not be
switched off during the breaks between the individual work phases (low ener-
gy requirement when running at ultimate pressure). The gas ballast valve
should be opened and the intake line should be sealed (through a valve, if
possible).
When all vapours have been pumped from a process (drying, for example) the
gas ballast valve can be closed to improve the attainable ultimate pressure.
4.3.3 Operating Temperature
Proper operation of the TRIVAC NT is ensured at ambient temperatures bet-
ween 12 °C and 50 °C, with the exception of the pump models for the USA
and Japan where a range of 12 °C to 40 °C applies.
Caution