Dry Running and Oil Lubricated Rotary Vane Pumps
Rotary vane pumps are classified as dry or wet, depending on whether they are lubricated by oil or rely on a tight seal that separates the gas from the pumping mechanism. Selecting the correct operating fluid for rotary vane pumps is crucial to ensure optimal performance in various demanding processes.
Dry running vane pumps are a lot cleaner than oil lubricated ones ensuring the risk of contaminating the air is significantly reduced. No oil, water or lubrication is needed in the pump chamber which makes it ideal for the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries that rely on the purity of air. And without oil there is no waste, resulting in less maintenance, reducing running costs and preventing costly downtime. They come with the additional benefit that you will not need to replace the vanes. Dry running vane pumps have lower vibration compared to their oil lubricated counterparts.
Oil lubricated rotary vane pumps – also known as wet pumps – are extremely reliable, robust, hard working, and lower cost than dry running ones. The lubrication reduces friction, lowers operating temperatures and prevents corrosion which increases the working life of the pump. However, because they use oil, they run the risk of contaminating the air, which could result in production losses and downtime. They also need more maintenance and you will have to deal with the disposal of the waste oil. Achieving optimum vacuum performance in combination with a long service life is crucial when selecting operating fluids.
