Many labs today are moving towards an oil free environment. This move has a number of strong supporters such as preventing backstreaming of oil into equipment, odors from the pump oil and well as the oil change and disposal of used oil itself. While there will always be the need for two stage mechanical pumps, some areas see an advantage of using a Scroll Pump.
The dry compressing of a Leybold SCROLLVAC SC-D pump operates on the principle of Archimedes spirals engaging each other. The vacuum is then created by reduction in volume of the trapped environment and compression of gases to a gas outlet.. SCROLLVAC pumps operate absolutely oil-free with a high effective pumping speed.
Of course, two stage mechanical pumps are less expensive and generally quieter in operation, but for those seeking an oil free lab, these pumps may be considered.
The SC 15D is suggested for use with the SPI Supplies Vacu Prep II. It can also be used on the SPI Supplies Sputter/Carbon Coater Systems. It should not be used on the Osmium Coater.
Muffler: This “silencer” can be added to the outlet side of the scroll pump and will cut done on some of the noise this pump can produce.
As scroll pump does not use oil, the high precision of the blades needed to maintain the performance of the pump do were over time. It is suggested that these be changed on some regular basis. While maintenance of a scroll pump is harder than changing the oil on a mechanical pump, it is not as difficult as rebuilding the pump.
Major maintenance kit after 16,000 hours or an operating time of 24 months
