Vacuum Pump

Vacuum Filtration with solvents – which vacuum pump is compatible?

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.

A complete vacuum filtration apparatus setup
A Vacuum Filtration setup (also known as Buchner filtration) – but which pump should be used with different solvents?

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.

 

Mild Chemical Vapours

  • Example solvents; weak acids, weak alkalis or bases
  • Example applications; 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

 

Low-volume Organic Vapours

  • Example solvents; alcohol solutions
  • Example applications; solid phase extractions with alcohol solutions, heavily contaminated field samples
  • Pump choices; the MPC090E model, or MPC105T

 

Strong Chemical Vapours

  • 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

 

Of course there are a wide variety of pumps available, to suit all sizes, budgets and applications – but ensuring the pump you choose is compatible with the chemicals present will make sure you achieve a long service life.

Follow the links above to find out more about the recommended pumps, try the filters on our pump page here, or contact us with any queries;