Common errors when using turbopumps and how to avoid them
The ideal vacuum solution at the best price is very often the main decision criterion. But this fact poses the danger that a less optimal pump solution is selected for cost reasons – a decision which could eventually cause less uptime and higher maintenance costs. Selecting reliable vacuum pumps and the corresponding accessories as well as sensible monitoring and operating modes will pay off in the long run.
When selecting and operating a turbopump, it is not rare that considerable errors are being made. They can easily be avoided by considering the specific parameters valid for the individual pump type.
Turbopumps – powerful and reliable
The turbopump is a high- to ultra-high vacuum pump and essentially consists of a rotor and a stator. A rotating rotor disc and a stationary stator disc create a pump stage, which generates a specific compression ratio.
By consecutively turning on multiple pumping stages that multiply themselves in the compression effect, high compression ratios of up to 1013 can be reached. Modern pumps use Holweck stages on the backing side, for example, which reduce the number of turbo stages without affecting the compression. At the same time, the permitted foreline pressure increases to over 30 hPa.
The correct installation of the turbopump ensures its safe operation
Therewith, the size of the backing pump decreases drastically so that diaphragm pumps can be used as backing pumps for the first time. Turbopumps without additional compression stages should be used for processes that are prone to condensation, sublimation, and particle formation as the narrow gaps can lead to deposits, mechanical damage, and clogging.
Further tips and tricks for the use and operation of vacuum equipment and leak detectors as well as interesting references and applications are available at our vacuum solutions website.
For reading the complete text with further tips and information on how to avoid common errors when using turbopumps, please download the document.
