Operating Characteristics Of A Dry Claw Vacuum Pump
Posted in Uncategorised, on October 05, 2022 By Admin
Among the myriad vacuum pumps in the market, many use some form of fluid lubrication, such as a rotary vane vacuum pump. However, these pumps are not optimal for high-pressure applications with volatile compounds. This is where a dry claw vacuum pump comes into the picture. These pumps function without any liquid or lubrication, making them a staple in the petrochemical industry. In this blog, the operating characteristics of the claw pump will be examined.
Features of a claw pump
Operating Temperatures
More energy efficient than a standard rotary vane pump, a claw pump has an operating temperature of around 260°C (500°F). This is a clear advantage as it can avoid condensation, a problem faced by other pumps that operate at a lower temperature. However, it can also lead to the premature failure of seals due to the high temperature.
Sealing Gas
In order to protect the pump from high temperatures and corrosive gases, there is a special region in the pump where a sealing gas is used. Located between the compressor and gearbox, this ventilated area is purged with either air or sealing gas. It keeps the temperatures in check and protects the O-rings and piston rings used on the gearbox and compressor respectively.
Scrapers
Claw pumps are also prone to accumulate particulates in their housing. To remove this, many pumps also use scrapers, that are located between the external side of the rotors and the housing.
Teflon Coating
Since the pumps move close to one another to create pressure, the high pressures can damage the claws over time. To reduce this wear and tear, most claw rotors are coated with a form of Teflon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PFA). It allows the manufacturer to reduce the clearance between the two rotors, leading to increased pressure and better pumping efficiency.
You can always count on us at McRae Engineering to provide you with the best quality engineering solutions such as regenerative blowers, liquid ring pumps, claw pumps, heat exchangers, and more. Contact us today to learn more about everything that we can do for you.
