nimbus8 - 14-4-2013 at 18:32
Is a 5 cfm rotary vane vacuum pump fine for chemistry as long as i use a cold trap?
I haven't found any diaphram vacuum pumps under 200 dollars that get above 3 cfm. And from what ive heard 5 is ideal for vacuum distillation is this
true?
Thanks in advanced everyone.
hafnium - 22-4-2013 at 13:04
5 cfm should be more than enough power, although you should be more preoccupied with getting a two stage pump vs. a one stage, as the latter will most
likely quit on you after a short while (even with a cold trap). Check on ebay for a used one, you can easily find one for less than $200.
Xanthippe - 24-5-2013 at 20:22
It seems to me that a discarded, piston style refrigerator compressor would work. It would just take longer to get the job done.
I used to use a modified refrigerator compressor as a vacuum pump in a sputtering chamber.