Eco-compatible dimension and incomparable performances mean the complete safety of the product.

Thanks to its simple design bound together with innovative technical solutions as the new LubriZero® system – which consists of new materials in teflon with special charges that, besides being resistant to corrosion, do not require any lubrication and reduce oil consumption almost to zero, also allowing the use of synthetic FDA approved oils – the renewed Saurus939 vacuum pump confirms its ability to give incomparable performances in all chemical and pharmaceutical processes such as drying, distillation and reaction, ensuring complete recovery of extracted solvents, even under continuous and severe operation conditions, with an unchanged efficiency over time.

In the case of common solvents (methylic alcohol, ethylic alcohol, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl chloride, benzene, toluene, isopropylic alcohol, ethyl ether, heptane) and even the most aggressive (hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, chlorobenzene, dimethylformamide, acrylonitrile, dichloroethane, cyclohexane, pyridine, dimethyl sulfoxide and dichloromethane), Saurus939 guarantees:

  • Absolute safety for the process and the operators
  • Separation between process side and mechanical side
  • High endurance against powders
  • High resistance against corrosion
  • High endurance against condensate solvents and secondary products of distillation
  • Use without limits in all vacuum range
  • Low operation speed (250rpm) and low working temperature
  • Installation in dangerous environment
  • Long life and absolute reliability
  • Very low operating costs (low energy consumption, easy and economic maintenance)

The separation of the vacuum pump from the process chamber ensures absence of contamination of the product from the lubricating oil, as discussed in a report by Politecnico di Torino in which the phenomenon is quantitatively estimated, dispelling any doubt about the purity of the final product.

In this report the flow rate of oil is calculated by solving a mass transport equation that takes into account the effects of diffusion, which moves the oil from the pump to the condenser, and of convection, which acts in the opposite way.

Three dryer-condenser-vacuum pump configurations were considered, each corresponding to the three different Saurus939 vacuum pump models: VVB, VVC and VVD, with nominal inlet diameters of 40mm, 65mm and 80mm respectively. In addition different vacuum levels were examined to investigate the range of working conditions from 1mbar to 100mbar.

Under these conditions the mass of oil reaching the condenser in 24 hours (a typical operation time) was calculated for every vacuum level.

The obtained values were absolutely negligible and below any level of analytical detection, with an order of magnitude as low as 10-1,000g of oil. As the mass of oil molecules is in the range 10-20-10-24g, this result means that during a drying cycle not even a single molecule of oil moves back from the pump to the condenser, and hence to the dryer.

Saurus939 also complies to ATEX norms. In its standard model, CE ex II 2 G T4, it is suitable for an area classified as zone one gas and temperature class T4 (135°C).

In special models the vacuum pump is suitable for zone zero internal gas, zone one external gas with three different classes of temperature T4 (135°C)/T 150°C/T3 (200°C) depending on operation conditions.

Several models of pumps are offered: three of the single-stage type and three of the dual-stage type. Cooling is by air for all types. Special models with root compressors are also supplied on request. Nominal flow rate is from 80 to 3,800 cubic meters per hour, vacuum from 7mbar to 0.03mbar.

To complete the Saurus939 range, a series of fittings is available to deliver a product ready for operation: an atmospheric post-condenser for the recovery of solvents from the pump outlet; a condensate recovery tank from the post-condenser outlet; a filter mounted on the pump suction side; a control panel board with explosion-proof execution support; a basement for pump and fittings; and a vacuum condenser to guarantee the recovery of condensation solvents and the right suction conditions of the pump.