Correct Use; Useful Information; Setting Up - IKA Vacstar digital Mode D'emploi

Correct use

Use
The device must not be used for:
WARNING
- evacuating biological habitats,
- evacuating explosive, corrosive
or similar gases,
- throughput/use of liquids
The device is not suitable for:
- pumping up objects
- pumping liquids
- use in potentially explosive
atmospheres
- underwater
- underground
The laboratory diaphragm vacuum pump IKA Vacstar digital is used
together with other laboratory devices to create a vacuum.
For specific vacuum control, an additional vacuum controller IKA
VC 10 or IKA rotary evaporator RV 10 auto is required.
Area of use (only indoors)
The device is suitable for use in residential areas and all other
areas.
The safety of the user cannot be ensured:
• if the device is used in conjunctions with accessories not
made or recommended by the manufacturer!

Useful information

You can prevent the release of
DANGER
solvent vapours into the atmosphere
using a downstream emission
condenser.
Special care must be taken when
CAUTION
working with gas mixtures that
include condensable gases (e.g.
solvents). If diaphragm pumps are
used with such gases they condense
in the pump's air flow. This leads
to a build-up of pressure in the
vacuum chamber, which in turn
influences the effectiveness and
service life of the diaphragms and
valves.
If liquid or condensate enters the
vacuum chambers, the specified
minimum working pressure is no
longer achieved.
To protect the inner valves and
diaphragms against liquid, use an
upstream condensate separator,
such as a Woulff bottle.
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Standalone operation
The vacuum pump can be operated without a controller.
The delivery capacity can be set using the adjustable speed.
Generally speaking, the smaller the volume to be evacuated, the
lower the speed should be. The final pressure is not controlled.
Operation with accessories
Along with the accessories recommended by IKA, the vacuum
pump IKA Vacstar digital is suitable for controlled evacuation to a
specified final pressure e.g. for operating an IKA rotary evaporator.
It can also be used for classical separation, filtration or drying in
the laboratory.
With an appropriate vacuum controller (e.g. VC 10) or with a ro-
tary evaporator (e.g. RV 10 auto), the Vacstar digital can be oper-
ated automatically, for automatic boiling point detection, sched-
uled pressure-time curves or programs from the solvent library, for
example.
Intended use: Tabletop device
• if modifications are made to the device or parts of the device
by third parties!
• if the device is operated in contravention of the safety
instructions!
It is generally recommended that
CAUTION
you run the pump with no load at
the end of the process (no-load
operation, approx. 3 up to max. 5
minutes) to dispel any residues in
the pump.
If applicable, vent the recipient.
To do this, remove the suction line
during manual operation.
Observe the operating instructions
NOTE
of the relevant devices.
Diaphragm vacuum pumps are oscillating displacement pumps.
The diaphragms expand the volume of the vacuum chamber to
produce an underpressure, which sucks air into the chamber. The
air is then pressed out of the vacuum chamber by subsequent
compression. Changes between the inlet and outlet are controlled
by diaphragm valves.
The physical unit for pressure is 1 Pascal [Pa].
However people often still use the unit millibar [mbar] colloquially.
1 mbar = 100 Pa
1 bar = 10 Pa
5
1 Pa = 10 -5 bar
1 Pa = 0.01 mbar
A distinction is made between different ranges in vacuum tech-
nology.
Rough vacuum: 10 to 10² Pa (1000 to 1 mbar)
5
Fine vacuum: 10² to 10 -1 Pa (1 to 10 -3 mbar)
High vacuum: 10 -1 to 10 -5 Pa (10 -3 to 10 -7 mbar)
Ultra high vacuum < 10 Pa (< 10 mbar)
-5 -7
The periodic movements of the diaphragms create a vacuum at
the pump inlet. Diaphragm vacuum pumps work with a rough
vacuum of up to 10 Pa. Lower pressures cannot be achieved with
2
these pumps.
To create fine, high and ultra high vacuums, oil-sealed vacuum
pumps, screw pumps, diffusion pumps or turbomolecular pumps
must be used, for example. Diaphragm vacuum pumps are often
used as pumps for the preliminary stage in these contexts.
Two-position control
When the target value is reached, the suction line is interrupted.
Due to the small delay between the times when the pressure
value is detected, when comparison is made with the target value,
when a vacuum valve is switched off and when the suction line
of the vacuum-producing system are switched off, it is easy to go
below the set target value. If the pressure in the system goes up
again due to a natural leakage rate, the suction line valve opens.
Schematic view of two-position vacuum control
mbar
t

Setting up

Ensure that you follow the general
NOTE
rule, that the recipient (load/vacuum
container/glass condenser) should
always be connected to the suction
line at its highest point. This reduces
the risk of liquids entering the
vacuum pump.
Liquid in the pump chambers
makes the pump properties worse.
Connect the hose connections
(INLET/OUTLET) and interfaces in
accordance with the labelling on
the pump and the operating
instructions.
Compressing and releasing the pressure on air creates a noise. The
pump is quieter the less air is transported. This means that there
is less operating noise during normal operation if the pressure is
reduced.
A fitted exhaust hose with a sound absorber can also be used to
reduce noise.
In automatic operation with controlled speed the pump reduces
its speed when it reaches the target value. If the leakage rate in the
entire system is low enough, the speed may even be set to "zero".
When combined with the vacuum controller VC 10 or the rotary
evaporator with integrated vacuum controller RV 10 auto, the
pump can also be used for "two-position control" (valve-con-
trolled) or "analogue speed control" of the vacuum.
Analogue speed control
With this control, the speed of the pump, and therefore its suction
power, is reduced the closer the measured pressure reaches the
target value. Once the target value is reached, the pump only
operates according to the leakage rate of the system. This enables
quiet functioning, precise vacuum control and a long service life
for the moving pump parts. Exact automatic boiling point recognition is
possible with this type of control, meaning that the system reaches
and keeps the solvent at its boiling point in automatic mode.
Schematic view of speed vacuum control
mbar
t
The connections are barbed hose connectors. Ensure that the hoses
have hose clips if applicable.
Lay the hoses in such a way that no condensate can flow into the
pump.
Ensure that the air can enter the ventilation slit (H) unhindered.
Install a condensate separator (e.g. a Woulff bottle) in the suction
line before the intake spigot of the pump to protect against water
coming in.
If solvent vapours are sucked in, an emission condenser (accessory)
after the pump helps to condense it, and prevents it being released
into the atmosphere.
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