ILMVAC PS 250 Single-Stage Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump

Overview

The ILMVAC PS 250 is a single-stage rotary vane vacuum pump engineered for continuous, high-reliability operation in demanding laboratory and pilot-scale industrial applications. Based on the proven Couette-flow principle of oil-sealed rotary displacement, it achieves ultimate pressures below 0.5 mbar while delivering a nominal pumping speed of 240 m³/h (4000 L/min) at the inlet flange. Its robust cast-iron housing, precision-ground vanes, and thermally stabilized rotor assembly ensure dimensional stability across extended duty cycles. Unlike compact benchtop units, the PS 250 is designed as a floor-standing, heavy-duty workhorse—optimized for integration into vacuum drying ovens, solvent recovery systems, and as a forepump for diffusion or turbomolecular high-vacuum systems. All internal wetted surfaces are treated with corrosion-resistant coatings, enabling sustained performance even under intermittent exposure to water vapor and mildly aggressive condensables.

Key Features

• Single-stage rotary vane architecture with graphite-impregnated vanes for low wear and consistent volumetric efficiency
• Integrated gas ballast valve for controlled admission of atmospheric air during pumping of condensable vapors—enabling reliable operation with water vapor loads up to 10 g/h without oil emulsification
• Low-oil-mist design compliant with ISO 8573-1 Class 4 for compressed air purity; exhaust filtration reduces airborne hydrocarbon emissions to <0.1 mg/m³
• Bar-type oil level sight glass with dual-reference markings (cold/hot operating conditions) for precise oil volume verification without shutdown
• Non-return check valve integrated into the exhaust line prevents backstreaming of oil into the vacuum chamber upon power-off
• Acoustically damped housing and vibration-isolated motor mount reduce operational noise to ≤68 dB(A) at 1 m distance
• IP54-rated terminal box with reinforced cable glands for safe operation in humid or dust-prone laboratory environments

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PS 250 is compatible with standard KF-40 and ISO-KF 50 vacuum flanges and supports common laboratory vacuum accessories including cold traps, pressure gauges (capacitance manometers or Pirani sensors), and vacuum control valves. It is certified to CE directives 2014/30/EU (EMC) and 2014/35/EU (LVD). While not intrinsically safe, its design conforms to ATEX Category 3G for use in Zone 2 hazardous areas when installed with appropriate ventilation and grounding per IEC 60079-14. The pump meets material traceability requirements per ISO 9001:2015 and supports audit-ready documentation for GLP and GMP workflows—including maintenance logs, oil change records, and calibration certificates for connected pressure instrumentation.

Software & Data Management

As a standalone mechanical pump, the PS 250 does not include embedded firmware or digital interfaces. However, it is fully compatible with third-party vacuum system controllers (e.g., Pfeiffer Vacuum VACOMAX, Edwards nXT series) via analog 0–10 V or 4–20 mA process signals for speed modulation and status monitoring. Optional analog pressure transducers can be installed upstream to feed real-time inlet pressure data into LabVIEW, MATLAB, or SCADA platforms. All maintenance intervals—including oil replacement every 3000 operating hours and vane inspection every 6000 hours—are documented in the supplied technical manual and align with ISO 20437-1 guidelines for vacuum equipment lifecycle management.

Applications

• Primary vacuum source for freeze-drying (lyophilization) systems in pharmaceutical R&D and bioprocessing labs
• Forepump for high-vacuum applications including electron microscopy sample preparation, mass spectrometry ion sources, and thin-film deposition chambers
• Vacuum distillation and solvent recovery in organic synthesis laboratories handling heat-sensitive compounds
• Vacuum-assisted filtration and degassing of polymer precursors and ceramic slurries
• Leak testing of sealed enclosures using pressure-rise or helium mass spectrometry methods
• Integration into automated analytical platforms requiring stable, oil-lubricated rough vacuum (e.g., thermal desorption units, headspace samplers)

FAQ

What is the recommended oil type for the PS 250?
ILMVAC specifies ISO VG 68 synthetic hydrocarbon-based vacuum pump oil (e.g., ILMVAC VP-Oil 68 or equivalent). Mineral oils are not recommended due to higher volatility and reduced water tolerance.
Can the PS 250 operate continuously at ultimate vacuum?
Yes—designed for uninterrupted duty cycles up to 24/7 operation, provided ambient temperature remains between 10–40 °C and cooling airflow is unobstructed.
Is the pump suitable for pumping solvents like acetone or ethanol?
With the gas ballast valve fully open and proper condensation trapping, it handles short-term exposure to common organic vapors; however, prolonged pumping of highly volatile or chlorinated solvents requires consultation with ILMVAC’s chemical compatibility chart.
Does the PS 250 support remote start/stop functionality?
No native digital interface is included, but external contactor control via dry-contact terminals (provided in the terminal box) enables integration into building management or PLC-controlled vacuum networks.
What maintenance intervals apply under GLP conditions?
Oil must be changed every 2000 hours or annually (whichever occurs first); full inspection—including vane wear measurement and bearing play check—is required every 6000 hours and documented per Annex 11 of EU GMP Guidelines.