Agilent RPS-1401/301 Roots Pump System

Overview

The Agilent RPS-1401/301 Roots Pump System is a high-performance, air-cooled vacuum pumping solution engineered for demanding laboratory and industrial applications requiring clean, stable, and continuous roughing or backing vacuum. Based on the proven robust architecture of Agilent’s MS-series mechanical pumps, the RPS-1401/301 integrates a precision-engineered Roots blower stage with an optimized oil-sealed rotary vane backing pump—delivering extended operating range, high volumetric throughput, and exceptional long-term stability. Its operation relies on the positive displacement principle: two synchronized, figure-eight rotors rotate in opposite directions within a closely toleranced housing, trapping and compressing gas volumes without internal contact—ensuring minimal wear, low particle generation, and intrinsic suitability for ultra-clean environments. Designed for seamless integration into vacuum systems—including mass spectrometry platforms, thin-film deposition chambers, and high-vacuum diffusion or turbomolecular pump arrays—the RPS-1401/301 maintains consistent ultimate pressure performance down to ≤1 × 10⁻² mbar while supporting ultimate system pressures below 1 × 10⁻⁷ mbar when paired with appropriate high-vacuum stages.

Key Features

• Air-cooled design eliminates dependency on external water cooling infrastructure—reducing installation complexity, operational costs, and facility footprint.
• Hermetically sealed, contamination-resistant bearing and shaft seal architecture minimizes oil vapor backstreaming and particulate shedding—critical for semiconductor processing, optical coating, and analytical instrumentation.
• Integrated variable-frequency drive (VFD) option enables precise speed control across global power grids (50 Hz and 60 Hz), ensuring consistent pumping speed and torque delivery; delivers up to 20% higher effective pumping speed under 50 Hz supply conditions compared to fixed-speed equivalents.
• Low-noise (<65 dB(A)) and low-vibration operation—achieved via dynamically balanced rotors, precision-machined housings, and elastomeric mounting—supports placement in vibration-sensitive labs or shared equipment rooms.
• Extended maintenance intervals (up to 12,000 hours for backing pump, 20,000+ hours for Roots stage under typical duty cycles) reduce total cost of ownership and unplanned downtime.
• Compact, modular footprint facilitates vertical or horizontal mounting and simplifies integration with existing vacuum manifolds, PLC-controlled systems, and SCADA interfaces.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RPS-1401/301 is compatible with inert, reactive, and mildly corrosive process gases—including N₂, Ar, He, H₂, O₂, and vacuum-dried solvent vapors—when operated within specified inlet pressure limits (≤100 mbar absolute). It is not intended for use with condensable vapors exceeding saturation thresholds or highly aggressive halogenated compounds without optional corrosion-resistant coatings. The system complies with CE marking requirements per EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. All electrical components meet UL 61010-1 and IEC 61000-6-2/6-4 standards. For regulated environments, optional audit-trail-capable digital I/O and RS-485 Modbus RTU interface support integration into FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant vacuum monitoring systems under GLP/GMP frameworks.

Software & Data Management

While the base RPS-1401/301 operates as a standalone analog-controlled unit, the optional Agilent Vacuum Manager (AVM) software suite provides real-time remote monitoring, alarm logging, and predictive maintenance analytics via Ethernet or USB connection. AVM supports configurable setpoints for inlet pressure, motor temperature, and vibration amplitude—with automated event-triggered data capture and CSV export for traceability. All operational logs include timestamped metadata (UTC), user ID (where authenticated), and firmware revision—enabling full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 calibration record retention requirements and internal QA/QC documentation protocols.

Applications

• Front-end roughing for high-vacuum systems: turbomolecular, cryogenic, and ion pumps in R&D and production-scale vacuum chambers.
• Large-area physical vapor deposition (PVD) and sputtering systems requiring rapid chamber evacuation and stable base pressure.
• Vacuum metallurgy processes—including vacuum arc remelting (VAR), electron beam melting (EBM), and induction skull melting—where hydrocarbon-free operation and thermal stability are critical.
• LNG liquefaction and boil-off gas (BOG) handling test rigs requiring reliable, oil-sealed roughing performance at ambient temperatures.
• Electron microscopy sample preparation stations and focused ion beam (FIB) systems demanding ultra-low particulate contribution.

FAQ

What is the ultimate vacuum level achievable with the RPS-1401/301 alone?
The RPS-1401/301 achieves an ultimate pressure of ≤1 × 10⁻² mbar when operated with clean, dry gas load and proper warm-up; it is designed as a roughing/backing pump—not a high-vacuum source.
Can the RPS-1401/301 be used with corrosive process gases?
Standard configuration is rated for non-corrosive and mildly reactive gases; optional nickel-plated rotors and fluorocarbon seals are available for enhanced resistance to Cl₂, HCl, and other moderately aggressive media.
Is the VFD option factory-installed or field-upgradable?
The variable-frequency drive is integrated at the factory and configured during final acceptance testing; field retrofit is not supported due to embedded firmware and safety interlock dependencies.
Does the system include vacuum gauging or pressure control?
No—pressure measurement and closed-loop regulation require external Pirani, capacitance manometer, or cold cathode gauges connected via standard 0–10 V or 4–20 mA analog interfaces.
What certifications are provided with shipment?
Each unit ships with a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report, CE Declaration of Conformity, RoHS compliance statement, and full traceable serial-number documentation per ISO 9001:2015 quality management system requirements.