ILMVAC PK 2 DC Dual-Stage Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump

Overview

The ILMVAC PK 2 DC is a compact, dual-stage rotary vane vacuum pump engineered for reliable primary vacuum generation in laboratory and light industrial environments. Based on the well-established Couette-flow principle of oil-sealed rotary vane technology, it achieves stable base pressures below 1 × 10⁻² mbar absolute through sequential compression stages—first stage compresses inlet gas to an intermediate pressure, while the second stage further reduces pressure before exhaust. Unlike dry scroll or diaphragm pumps, this oil-lubricated design delivers higher pumping speed consistency across variable load conditions, including transient water vapor loads common in freeze-drying or solvent distillation. Its robust cast-aluminum housing, precision-ground vanes, and optimized oil circulation path ensure thermal stability during continuous operation up to 8 hours per shift—meeting typical duty-cycle requirements for QC labs conducting routine vacuum-assisted sample preparation.

Key Features

• Dual-stage architecture with integrated oil mist separator and sight-glass oil-level indicator for real-time lubricant monitoring
• Oil-return prevention mechanism: check-valve–assisted shutdown sequence prevents backstreaming of oil into vacuum chambers upon power-off
• Low-noise operation (< 52 dB(A) at 1 m), achieved via balanced rotor dynamics and vibration-damped mounting feet
• DN 16 KF flange inlet/outlet ports compliant with ISO-KF standards, enabling rapid integration with common lab vacuum manifolds and trap assemblies
• Thermally stable aluminum housing with finned heat dissipation surface—no external cooling required under nominal load
• Minimal oil consumption: ≤ 0.5 mL/h during continuous operation at 10% of maximum pumping speed

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PK 2 DC is compatible with standard laboratory vacuum processes involving non-aggressive vapors (e.g., water, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate) and inert gases. It is not recommended for halogenated solvents, strong oxidizers (e.g., NO₂, Cl₂), or corrosive acid vapors without optional corrosion-resistant coating (available as OEM upgrade). The pump meets CE marking requirements under EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. While not certified to ISO 22870 or ASTM F2476 for medical device manufacturing, its consistent ultimate vacuum and documented maintenance intervals support GLP-aligned documentation practices when used as a forepump for turbomolecular or diffusion systems in analytical instrumentation (e.g., mass spectrometers, electron microscopes).

Software & Data Management

As a standalone mechanical vacuum source, the PK 2 DC operates without embedded firmware or digital interfaces. However, its analog performance characteristics—including stable base pressure attainment time (< 90 s from atmosphere to 1 × 10⁻¹ mbar) and repeatable ultimate vacuum (< ±0.1 × 10⁻² mbar over 10 consecutive cycles)—are fully traceable via external vacuum gauge logging (e.g., Pirani or capacitance manometer). When integrated into automated systems, it supports simple on/off control via dry-contact relay input (24 VDC, isolated). Maintenance logs—including oil change dates, operating hours (tracked via external hour meter), and observed noise/vibration anomalies—can be incorporated into LabVantage or STARLIMS electronic lab notebooks to satisfy FDA 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements for regulated environments.

Applications

• Primary vacuum source for freeze-dryers and vacuum ovens in pharmaceutical and biotech sample stabilization
• Forepump for high-vacuum systems such as turbomolecular pumps in residual gas analyzers (RGAs) and surface science instrumentation
• Vacuum distillation and short-path evaporation setups requiring stable 10⁻² mbar base pressure
• Vacuum filtration of aqueous and organic suspensions in analytical chemistry workflows
• Leak testing of sealed components using pressure-rise or helium-trace methodologies
• Thin-film deposition pre-evacuation in R&D-scale PVD/CVD chambers

FAQ

What type of vacuum oil is recommended for the PK 2 DC?
ILMVAC specifies ISO VG 32 mineral-based vacuum oil (e.g., ILMVAC VP 32 or equivalent DIN 51506 VDL-grade oils). Synthetic alternatives (e.g., polyalphaolefin) may be used but require validation for vapor pressure compatibility at 1 × 10⁻² mbar.
Can the pump operate continuously for 24 hours?
Yes—provided ambient temperature remains between 15–35 °C, inlet gas load does not exceed 70% of rated pumping speed, and oil level is verified every 200 operating hours.
Is the PK 2 DC suitable for pumping corrosive gases?
No, unless equipped with optional stainless-steel internal components and fluorocarbon-coated vanes—a configuration requiring factory modification and separate validation.
Does it meet UL or CSA safety certification?
It carries CE marking but lacks UL 61010-1 or CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 certification; users in North America must verify local electrical code compliance prior to installation.
How often should the vacuum oil be changed?
Every 500 operating hours under clean-load conditions; reduce interval to 250 hours if used with condensable vapors or high-humidity environments.