Sciencemadness Discussion Board

overhauling a diaphragma-pump

nightflight - 14-2-2007 at 08:44

Hi,

I´ve recedntly tried to estimate the vacuum my pump pulls,
after hearing some strange sound coming from it during destillation -which could of course have been through fumes being pumped.


But boiling water under reduced pressure shew only 80°c which is much less, than the 220torr it pulled at the beginning, which again also isn´t very satisfiying, but better than nothing.

Are there any tricks, how I could get this pump working more efficiently?

Fleaker - 14-2-2007 at 11:40

Hm, perhaps add new oil and if you were distilling something noxious without a trap then you likely corroded away the insides of your pump.

Edit:

Oh I know it's not a rotary vane pump XxDaTxX, but there are types of diaphragm pumps that use hydraulic oil to push the pistons, some use compressed air. I have one such that is from Wilden (using compressed air).

;)

Here's the link: http://www.wildenpump.com/

They have FAQs and a page on how to take apart the pump.

[Edited on 15-2-2007 by Fleaker]

XxDaTxX - 14-2-2007 at 17:03

Quote:
Originally posted by Fleaker
Hm, perhaps add new oil and ....


Want to volunteer your diaphragm pump? Sounds like a plan.... let me know how that goes .... LOL

chemrox - 16-2-2007 at 20:15

Have you inspected the diaphragm? Could it have gotten perforated by one of the agents? I destroyed a bunch of rubber making an acid chloride...I expected to but some things are labile to attack..don't know what those diaphragms are made of..

Fleaker - 16-2-2007 at 21:52

Depends on the type of pump and how much it cost. The pump I have has a PTFE diaphragm so it is resistant to chemical attack and has good temperature range. From teflon/PTFE it just goes down hill in my opinion. If he knows the maker of the pump he should be able to take it apart and either replace the liner in the diaphragm or look for obstructions.