EPHY210L: Vacuum Technology Assignment

What is the operating principle of Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps. Give a simple schematic diagram. What is
the approximate value for the ultimate pressure achievable by the pump. How is the pumping speed?

In the liquid ring vacuum pumps generally water is used due to its versatility. In the less filled casing an
impeller rotates. Liquid inside the cylinder forms a liquid ring due to impellers movement and centrifugal
force. Space between vanes and liquid ring is used to carry gas.

The space enlarges due to impellers installation and the gas is drawn in through the suction slot. As
impeller rotates the space keeps on decreasing causing gas to compress and discharge through
discharge slot. This pump is also run with a open or closed loop circuit with water recirculation.

Considering two types of liquid ring vacuum pumps i.e. single stage and two stage, the former produces
vacuum up to 47 mbars while latter produces vacuum up to 33 mbars. For maximum performance water
is ought to be at 15 degree Celsius or less and dry air usage.

Gardnerdenver’s website classifies vacuum pump performance according to pressure they generate into
5 categories from low vacuum (1000-1 mbar) to ultra high vacuum (<10^-11 mbar). The liquid ring
vacuum pump falls under low vacuum pump generally.

References :-
https://www.buschvacuum.com/global/en/technology/liquid-ring-vacuum-pumps
https://www.gardnerdenver.com/en-in/nash/technologies-by-nash/technology-of-liquid-ring-vacuum-
pumps
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid-ring_pump
https://www.gardnerdenver.com/en-in/knowledge-hub/articles/types-of-vacuum-pumps