KNF N816.3KT.18 Diaphragm Vacuum Pump

Overview

The KNF N816.3KT.18 is a compact, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump engineered for precision and reliability in demanding laboratory environments. Based on positive displacement via elastomeric diaphragm oscillation, it generates vacuum through mechanical reciprocation—eliminating lubricants, hydrocarbon contamination, and vapor backstreaming. Designed and manufactured in Freiburg, Germany, the unit complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity) standards, and meets RoHS and REACH requirements. Its robust PPS housing, PTFE-coated diaphragm, and FFPM (perfluoroelastomer) valves provide chemical resistance to common organic solvents—including acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, toluene, DMF, and acetic acid—as well as weak acids and bases. With an ultimate vacuum of 20 mbar and a continuous flow rate of 16 L/min at atmospheric inlet pressure, the N816.3KT.18 serves as a direct, maintenance-free replacement for water aspirators and rotary vane pumps in applications requiring clean, dry, and chemically inert vacuum.

Key Features

• Oil-free operation ensures zero hydrocarbon carryover—critical for GC-MS sample preparation, solvent recovery, and analytical workflows requiring ultra-clean vacuum.
• PTFE-coated diaphragm and FFPM valve assembly deliver extended service life when handling aggressive vapors and condensable solvents.
• Compact footprint (361 × 90 × 141 mm) and lightweight design (3.9 kg) enable benchtop integration—even in space-constrained fume hoods or modular lab setups.
• Thermally optimized motor and passive cooling architecture support uninterrupted 24/7 operation without thermal shutdown or duty-cycle limitations.
• Low vibration (<0.5 mm/s RMS) and acoustic emission ≤48 dB(A) minimize interference with sensitive instrumentation such as balances, microscopes, or AFM systems.
• Standard 6 mm hose barb ports (ISO-KF compatible adapters available) facilitate rapid connection to filtration manifolds, rotary evaporators, and vacuum ovens.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The N816.3KT.18 is validated for use with non-explosive, non-particulate, and non-condensable gas streams typical of routine lab processes. It is not rated for Class I, Division 1 hazardous locations per NEC/ATEX, nor for pumping gases above 40 °C inlet temperature or containing >5 mg/m³ particulates. When used with KNF’s optional analog vacuum gauge (part no. VG 100) or digital controller (VC 100), the system supports manual or proportional vacuum regulation—enabling reproducible control for distillation endpoints or filtration kinetics. The pump conforms to ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 0 for oil-free air/vacuum quality and is routinely deployed in GLP-compliant laboratories where traceability of vacuum conditions is required for method validation (e.g., USP , ASTM D1298).

Software & Data Management

While the base N816.3KT.18 operates as a standalone analog device, it is fully compatible with KNF’s VC 100 vacuum controller—a microprocessor-based interface offering real-time pressure monitoring, setpoint programming, ramped evacuation profiles, and USB/RS-485 output. Data logs (timestamped pressure vs. time) can be exported in CSV format for audit trails aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with compliant LIMS or ELN platforms. No proprietary drivers are required; standard CDC ACM serial emulation enables plug-and-play integration with LabVIEW, Python (pySerial), or MATLAB.

Applications

• Rotary evaporation under controlled vacuum (e.g., solvent removal from heat-sensitive natural product extracts)
• Gravity and vacuum-assisted filtration of aqueous and organic filtrates (e.g., Buchner funnel, HPLC sample prep)
• Reduced-pressure drying of polymers, catalysts, and lyophilized biomaterials
• Evacuation of desiccators, glove boxes (pre-purge stage), and Schlenk lines
• Support vacuum for gas chromatography sample introduction and headspace analysis
• Replacement of water-jet aspirators in teaching labs—eliminating wastewater discharge and freeze-risk in cold rooms

FAQ

Can the N816.3KT.18 handle condensable vapors from rotary evaporation?

Yes—its PTFE-coated diaphragm and FFPM valves resist swelling and degradation from common low-boiling solvents. For high-volume condensable loads, KNF recommends pairing with a cold trap or inline condenser.
Is this pump suitable for GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing?

It is widely used in R&D and QC labs supporting GMP activities. While the pump itself carries no GMP certification, its material compliance (USP Class VI, FDA 21 CFR 177.2470), documentation package (DoC, RoHS, REACH), and compatibility with Part 11–compliant controllers make it appropriate for validated vacuum processes.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?

No scheduled maintenance is required under normal operating conditions. Diaphragm lifetime exceeds 10,000 hours at 20 mbar working vacuum; full rebuild kits (diaphragm, valves, gaskets) are available with traceable lot documentation.
Does KNF provide application-specific validation protocols?

KNF does not perform end-user validation, but supplies technical notes, material compatibility charts, and test reports (e.g., flow vs. vacuum curves, noise spectra) to support IQ/OQ protocol development by qualified lab personnel.