KNF LABOPORT® N 840 G Chemical-Resistant Diaphragm Vacuum Pump

Overview

The KNF LABOPORT® N 840 G is a precision-engineered, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump designed for demanding laboratory environments where chemical resistance, reliability, and operational safety are critical. Based on KNF’s proven positive-displacement diaphragm technology, the N 840 G generates vacuum via oscillating PTFE-coated elastomeric diaphragms actuated by an eccentric cam mechanism—eliminating lubricants, hydrocarbon contamination, and maintenance associated with oil-sealed pumps. Its sealed, chemically inert fluid path—comprising PTFE/TFM pump head, PTFE-coated diaphragms, and FFPM (perfluoroelastomer) valves—ensures long-term stability when handling aggressive vapors including halogenated solvents, acidic gases (e.g., HCl, HF), oxidizing agents (e.g., NO₂, O₃), and organic acid vapors. The integrated gas ballast valve enables controlled admission of ambient air to prevent condensate accumulation during vapor-laden operation—a key feature for applications involving solvent evaporation or moisture-rich streams.

Key Features

• Chemically inert wetted materials: PTFE/TFM pump head, PTFE-coated diaphragm, and FFPM (Kalrez®-equivalent) valves ensure compatibility with highly corrosive media per ASTM D471 and ISO 1817 exposure protocols.
• Oil-free, dry operation eliminates risk of sample contamination and meets ISO 8573-1 Class 0 air purity requirements for vacuum lines.
• Manually adjustable speed control allows fine-tuning of suction flow (34 L/min max) and ultimate vacuum (6 mbar abs.) to match process demands—critical for sensitive techniques such as rotary evaporation or gel drying where over-pumping may cause bumping or foaming.
• ATEX-certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (Category II 2G, IIB+H₂, T3), compliant with Directive 2014/34/EU—enabling safe deployment near solvent distillation setups or fume hoods handling flammable vapors.
• Compact footprint (177 × 240 × 289 mm) and low acoustic emission (<52 dB(A)) support benchtop integration in space-constrained analytical labs without requiring dedicated ventilation or vibration isolation.
• Robust brushless DC motor (100 W) delivers stable torque across voltage fluctuations (100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz); no scheduled maintenance required under normal operating conditions per KNF MTBF specifications (>20,000 hours).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The N 840 G is validated for continuous duty with non-condensable and moderately condensable vapors within its specified temperature window (5–40 °C medium and ambient). It is not intended for particulate-laden, polymerizing, or highly viscous media without upstream filtration or cold trap protection. Its material set complies with USP Class VI biological reactivity testing and EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for food-contact-safe construction elements. For GLP/GMP-regulated workflows, the pump supports audit-ready documentation packages including Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) reports and material traceability dossiers (EN 10204 3.1). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant (as it lacks digital logging), its analog speed control interface integrates seamlessly with external PLCs or SCADA systems for validated process control.

Software & Data Management

The N 840 G operates as a standalone analog device with manual rotary speed adjustment—intentionally omitting embedded firmware to maximize electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and minimize failure modes in electromagnetically noisy lab environments (IEC 61326-1). For automated vacuum control, KNF recommends pairing the pump with third-party pressure transducers (e.g., MKS Baratron® series) and PID controllers compatible with 0–10 V or 4–20 mA analog signals. KNF provides comprehensive technical documentation—including dimensional drawings, material safety data sheets (MSDS), ATEX certificate copies, and application notes on solvent compatibility—in English, German, and French via its global support portal. All documentation conforms to ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.5.2 for method validation traceability.

Applications

• Rotary Evaporation: Stable, pulse-free vacuum delivery prevents solvent bumping during low-boiling-point compound recovery (e.g., ethyl acetate, dichloromethane).
• Gel Drying & Lyophilization Prep: Gentle vacuum ramping avoids cracking of polyacrylamide or agarose gels; PTFE/FFPM compatibility prevents degradation from acetic acid or formaldehyde vapors.
• Distillation & Fractionation: Resists corrosion from HCl, HNO₃, or bromine vapors encountered in acid digestion or halogenated compound purification.
• SPME & Solid-Phase Extraction: Maintains consistent vacuum across multi-well manifolds without oil backstreaming into sorbent cartridges.
• Centrifugal Concentration: Compatible with vacuum desiccators and SpeedVac™-style concentrators handling volatile organic extracts.
• Gas Sampling & Calibration: Used as a transfer pump in EPA Method TO-17 and ISO 16000-6 sampling trains for VOC analysis.

FAQ

Can the N 840 G handle hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or chlorine gas continuously?
Yes—its FFPM valves and PTFE/TFM wetted surfaces exhibit excellent resistance to H₂S and Cl₂ per ASTM D1418 classification; however, continuous exposure above 100 ppm requires periodic inspection of diaphragm integrity.
Is a cold trap necessary for rotary evaporation of acetone?
Not mandatory, but recommended: while the pump tolerates acetone vapor, using a −10 °C cold trap extends diaphragm life and improves ultimate vacuum stability during high-throughput runs.
Does KNF provide validation support for FDA-submitted methods?
Yes—KNF offers IQ/OQ protocol templates, calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards, and material compliance letters suitable for inclusion in regulatory submissions.
What is the expected service life under daily 8-hour operation?
Based on accelerated lifetime testing at 25 °C ambient and 30% duty cycle, mean time between failures exceeds 20,000 hours; full warranty coverage is 24 months from date of shipment.
Can the pump be mounted vertically or inverted?
No—must be operated in the supplied orientation only to ensure proper diaphragm alignment and thermal management; deviation voids warranty and risks premature wear.