VACUUBRAND ME2C Chemically Resistant Oil-Free Diaphragm Vacuum Pump

Overview

The VACUUBRAND ME2C is a single-stage, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump engineered for precision and chemical resilience in demanding laboratory environments. Utilizing a PTFE-coated diaphragm and chemically inert internal wetted materials—including PTFE, FKM elastomers, and stainless steel—this pump operates via reciprocating diaphragm motion to evacuate gas without lubricating oil, eliminating oil contamination, vapor backstreaming, or maintenance-intensive oil changes. Its operating principle relies on positive displacement through controlled diaphragm deflection, delivering stable vacuum performance across a wide pressure range of 1000–80 mbar (absolute). Designed for continuous duty in corrosive vapor-laden applications, the ME2C meets the fundamental requirements of modern analytical, synthetic, and process chemistry workflows where vacuum integrity, operator safety, and long-term reliability are non-negotiable.

Key Features

• Chemically resistant construction: All gas-path components—including diaphragm, valves, chamber housing, and inlet/outlet fittings—are fabricated from or lined with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), ensuring compatibility with aggressive solvents (e.g., acetone, chloroform, THF), acidic vapors (HCl, HNO₃), and basic fumes (NH₃, amines).
• Oil-free operation: Eliminates risk of sample contamination, reduces laboratory footprint, and complies with ISO 8573-1 Class 0 air purity standards for oil-free compressed gases.
• Low noise emission: Acoustic pressure level ≤45 dB(A) at 1 m distance—suitable for shared lab spaces and quiet-room installations.
• Compact and lightweight design: Dimensions 258 × 164 × 191 mm; weight 7.1 kg—enables benchtop integration, mobile cart mounting, or integration into automated vacuum manifolds.
• Thermally protected motor: Integrated thermal cut-off prevents coil overheating during extended operation or under high-backpressure conditions.
• Robust architecture: Precision-machined aluminum housing with corrosion-resistant anodized finish; reinforced diaphragm actuation mechanism ensures >10,000 hours MTBF (mean time between failures) under typical lab usage.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ME2C is validated for use with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), halogenated solvents, aqueous acidic/basic solutions, and reactive gases commonly encountered in rotary evaporation, vacuum filtration, degassing, lyophilization pre-vacuum stages, and Schlenk line purging. It conforms to IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission limits) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity standards). As a CE-marked device, it fulfills the essential health and safety requirements of the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. While not intrinsically safe for Zone 1 hazardous areas, its PTFE-sealed construction supports compliance with GLP and GMP documentation practices when deployed in regulated pharmaceutical QC labs. Optional accessories—including vacuum regulators (VR 6), digital vacuum controllers (VC 200), and cold traps (CT 100)—enable full system validation per ASTM E2654 (standard practice for vacuum system qualification) and USP (analytical instrument qualification).

Software & Data Management

The ME2C operates as a standalone analog pump and does not include embedded firmware or digital interfaces. However, it is fully compatible with VACUUBRAND’s VC 200 digital vacuum controller, which provides real-time pressure monitoring (0.1–1000 mbar range), programmable setpoint control, data logging (CSV export via USB), and audit-trail-capable event recording. When integrated into a VC 200–controlled system, the configuration satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures—including user authentication, time-stamped operation logs, and immutable data storage—supporting regulatory submissions in pharmaceutical and biotech settings.

Applications

• Rotary evaporation of acid-sensitive or halogenated samples
• Vacuum-assisted filtration of corrosive precipitates (e.g., metal oxides in HNO₃ media)
• Deaeration of polymer resins and adhesives prior to casting
• Pre-vacuum conditioning of desiccators and gloveboxes handling hygroscopic reagents
• Gas-phase extraction in environmental analysis (e.g., purge-and-trap systems for VOCs)
• Support vacuum for mass spectrometry sample introduction stages requiring oil-free background
• Controlled atmosphere synthesis in sealed reaction vessels

FAQ

Is the ME2C suitable for pumping solvent vapors continuously?
Yes—the PTFE-wetted path and chemically resistant diaphragm allow sustained operation with common organic and inorganic vapors; however, condensable vapors above dew point require upstream cold trapping to prevent diaphragm swelling or valve clogging.
What is the maximum permissible inlet pressure for continuous operation?
The ME2C is rated for continuous operation up to 1000 mbar (atmospheric); its ultimate vacuum is <80 mbar absolute, making it unsuitable for high-vacuum applications such as electron microscopy or thin-film deposition.
Does the pump require periodic maintenance?
No scheduled maintenance is required; the diaphragm and valves are designed for >10,000 hours of service life under normal lab conditions. Visual inspection of inlet filters every 6 months is recommended.
Can the ME2C be used in GMP-regulated environments?
Yes—when paired with VC 200 and documented per IQ/OQ protocols, the system supports GMP-compliant vacuum processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control laboratories.
Is the pump compatible with vacuum controllers from other manufacturers?
It can be operated with third-party controllers via analog 0–10 V or 4–20 mA signals, though full functional integration (e.g., error reporting, auto-shutdown) is guaranteed only with VACUUBRAND’s native VC 200 platform.