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Ultrasonic Inspection: Vacuum Systems

Types of Vacuum Systems

• Power - The most electricity is produced when the power plant gets the highest efficiency from a steam engine. A steam surface condenser is used to lower the backpressure from a steam turbine, so it can convert more of its energy to electricity. Vacuum is used for condenser venting equipment and waterbox priming (venting) to remove air and non-condensable gases from the two systems. Commonly used pumps are liquid ring, steam jet ejectors, and combination steam jet ejectors-liquid ring pump systems.
• Refining - Vacuum systems are used in refining for distillation of crude oil towers. Less energy is required to break down the crude oil by distilling under vacuum. Commonly used pumps are steam jet ejectors, liquid ring vacuum pumps, and combination steam jet ejectors-liquid ring pump systems.
• Pharmaceutical - Pharmaceutical and specialty chemical systems use vacuum for distilling and drying. Products are purified using vacuum with filter dryers. Using vacuum not only makes purer products, but reduces the amount of heat energy required for drying and also allows for recovery of evaporated solvents. Commonly used pumps are steam jet ejectors, liquid ring vacuum pumps, combination steam jet ejectors-liquid ring pump systems, combination mechanical boosters - liquid ring pump, dry vacuum pumps, and combination mechanical boosters - dry vacuum pumps.
• Food - Vacuum is used for evaporation and evaporative cooling to avoid spoiling in the food industry. It is also used to empty vessels before filling with food product and provide a quick filling of the vessel. Commonly used pumps for these applications include steam jet ejectors, liquid ring vacuum pumps, and combination steam jet ejectors-liquid ring pump systems.
• Groundwater - A process called remediation involves drilling a well and using vacuum for pulling groundwater to the surface. The water is cleaned and pumped back into the ground. Vacuum is also used for soil cleanup by pulling large amounts of air through the effected soil to vaporize the contaminants. Positive displacement blowers and liquid ring pumps are used for these processes.
• Paper - The pulp and paper industry uses vacuum to prime pumps called stock handling pumps, which are used for the production of paper products. The stock handling pumps require prime for startup. The vacuum pump draws out the air and lifts liquid into into the stock handling pump that requires liquid for startup to begin the production cycle. Liquid ring vacuum pumps are often used because of their reliability, ability to handle liquid, and they can be constructed of different materials.

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