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When performing a vacuum filtration, the solvent present can dictate the pump used. This is because some pumps are not "chemical duty" - with seals that work well with water vapours, but could degrade over time if exposed to organic solvent or acidic or basic vapours.
We have taken a look at some of the common solvent categories and which vacuum pumps are most suited for use with them to give a long service life.
[caption id="attachment_6859" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A Vacuum Filtration setup (also known as Buchner filtration) - but which pump should be used with different solvents?[/caption]
Aqueous Vapours (Water)
- Example solvents; water or water based liquid
- Example applications; suspended solids analysis, food slurry analysis, removing water from solids of interest
- Pump choices; since water vapours are not corrosive, a WOB-L pump or a basic Dry Vacuum Pump would be sufficient.
- Example solvents; weak acids, weak alkalis or bases
- Example applications;Â environmental study field samples that may contain traces of acids or chemicals, chemical lab samples known to be in weak acid or base as a solvent
- Pump choices; the MPC090E pump
- Example solvents; alcohol solutions
- Example applications; solid phase extractions with alcohol solutions, heavily contaminated field samples
- Pump choices; the MPC090E model, or MPC105T
- Example solvents; chlorinated solvents, strong acids or strong alkalis / bases, ketones
- Example applications; chemical extractions using chlorinated solvents, workup or isolation after organic synthesis, any sample with a noticeably strong odour or pH
- Pump choices; MPC301E
