Vacuum Boosters

A vacuum booster, also called a vacuum booster pump, is a positive displacement vacuum pump designed to increase the performance of a vacuum system. The vacuum booster works in combination with a vacuum pump, the so-called backing pump, such as screw or rotary vane vacuum pumps. It is flange-mounted to the backing pump, which is essential for operation as the backing pump creates the initial forevacuum required for the booster to reach its full potential. The pumped medium is transferred from the process chamber into the backing pump, significantly increasing the overall pumping speed. In this way, the vacuum booster reduces evacuation times and enables lower ultimate pressure, enhancing the efficiency of the entire vacuum system.

The term "vacuum booster pump" is commonly used interchangeably with "vacuum booster". However, we prefer the term vacuum booster because, unlike conventional vacuum pumps, it does not significantly compress the pumped medium internally. Instead, it transfers the medium to a backing pump, where the actual compression takes place.

A vacuum booster, also known as a vacuum booster pump, enhances the performance of a vacuum system by increasing its pumping speed and lowering the ultimate pressure. It operates based on the proven Roots principle, with two lobes rotating synchronously within a housing. These lobes do not come in contact with each other or the housing, eliminating the need for lubricants within the compression chamber.

The working principle of a vacuum booster can be explained in three steps:

1. Inlet

Vacuum boosters operate based on the Roots principle, invented by the brothers Francis and Philander Roots and patented in 1860. Originally used for pneumatic conveying, such as in blast furnaces, the principle was adopted for vacuum technology at the beginning of the 20th century. It allows vacuum systems to transport gas volumes more quickly and to increase performance at medium pressures, where neither rough vacuum pumps nor high vacuum pumps work efficiently on their own. Therefore, the Roots principle proved to be a missing link, bridging the gap between rough vacuum pumps, which are not efficient at low pressures, and high vacuum pumps, which require pre-evacuation to function effectively. This makes vacuum boosters particularly valuable in applications such as metallurgy, where both high gas throughput and low ultimate pressures are required.

Vacuum boosters from Pfeiffer are powerful, efficient and flexible. They offer several advantages:

A backing pump is an essential component in vacuum systems. It is used in conjunction with other types of vacuum pumps, such as vacuum boosters, diffusion vacuum pumps or turbomolecular vacuum pumps, to achieve the necessary operating conditions.

The backing pump is flange-mounted at the exhaust of the vacuum booster. While drawing the medium through the vacuum booster, it creates the necessary forevacuum for the booster to reach its full potential. The vacuum booster forwards the medium and directs it into the backing pump, where it is further compressed and then discharged from the system.

Vacuum boosters, such as the HiLobe series, are designed to support backing pumps to increase the performance of a vacuum system. Their primary role is to increase the pumping speed by rapidly transferring the pumped medium to the backing pump. This significantly reduces evacuation times and enables the system to reach lower pressures than the backing pump could achieve alone.

A vacuum system is a network of vacuum pumps, pipelines, and control components designed to generate and distribute vacuum across production lines or manufacturing facilities. Vacuum boosters help to increase the pumping speed and improve the overall efficiency by rapidly transferring the pumped medium into the backing pumps.

Vacuum boosters from Pfeiffer require low maintenance thanks to their contact-free operating principle. The lobes rotate synchronously without touching each other or the housing, eliminating the need for lubricants in the compression chamber. Additionally, the sealing concept removes the need for shaft seals, which typically require regular replacement. Efficient cooling ensures stable operation by preventing overheating. Together, these features greatly reduce wear and enable longer service intervals.

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions is one of the leading manufacturers of vacuum boosters. Here is why:

1. Low power consumption: Equipped with IE4 or IE5 motors, HiLobe vacuum boosters significantly reduce operating costs.

2. High reliability: With features like precise speed control thanks to a frequency converter, optimized rotor geometries, efficient air or water cooling, condition monitoring and a hermetically-sealed design without shaft seals, vacuum boosters from Pfeiffer stand out for their exceptional precision and operational reliability.

3. Customizable solutions: Thanks to their compact design and flexible mounting positions, vacuum boosters from Pfeiffer can be easily integrated into existing systems.

4. Flexible use: Suitable for a wide range of applications, including metallurgy, leak detection and coating.

5. Comprehensive service: Pfeiffer provides extensive pre-sales and application support, ensuring that customers receive the best solutions for their requirements. Our global service network and use of genuine parts guarantee reliable maintenance and minimal downtime.