KNF N86 Series Compact Diaphragm Vacuum Pump
| Brand | KNF |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Pump Type | Oil-Free Diaphragm Vacuum Pump |
| Model Variants | N86, N816.3KT.18, N838.1.2 |
| Ultimate Vacuum | 20 mbar |
| Flow Rate | 10–37 L/min (model-dependent) |
| Motor Supply | 220 V AC |
| Dimensions (L×H×W) | 164×141×90 mm to 404×210×110 mm |
| Weight | 1.9–6.8 kg |
| Construction | PPS Pump Head / PTFE-Coated or FFKM Valves / EPDM or FPM Diaphragms |
| Compliance | CE, RoHS, ISO 9001 |
Overview
The KNF N86 Series represents a family of compact, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pumps engineered for reliable, continuous-duty operation in analytical, pharmaceutical, and academic laboratories. Based on positive displacement via oscillating PTFE-coated or FKM diaphragms, these pumps generate vacuum through a sealed, pulsation-damped mechanism—eliminating lubricant contamination and enabling safe handling of aggressive vapors including organic solvents, acidic gases, and alkaline fumes. Unlike water aspirators or rotary vane pumps, the N86 series operates without oil, coolant, or exhaust condensate, making it ideal for solvent recovery, vacuum filtration, degassing of HPLC mobile phases, and inert atmosphere preparation. All models comply with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC) and IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity), and are certified CE-marked per Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
Key Features
- Oil-free, maintenance-light design with chemically resistant wetted materials (PPS housing, EPDM/FPM/FFKM elastomers, PTFE-coated diaphragms)
- Continuous 24/7 operation capability without thermal cut-off—validated under full-load conditions at ambient temperatures up to 40 °C
- Low noise emission (≤52 dB(A) at 1 m), minimal vibration transmission—suitable for benchtop placement adjacent to sensitive instrumentation
- Modular configuration options: vacuum-only (N86KN), dual vacuum/pressure (N86KT), and high-flow variants (N816/N838) with integrated pressure regulation
- Integrated thermal protection and current monitoring circuitry for long-term operational stability and fault diagnostics
- Standard G¼” BSP or 6–10 mm barbed inlet/outlet ports; optional vacuum gauge ports and analog 0–10 V output for process integration
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The N86 series is validated for use with Class I–III solvents (e.g., acetone, methanol, dichloromethane, THF) and corrosive gases (e.g., HCl, NH₃, SO₂) when equipped with PTFE-coated diaphragms and FFPM valve assemblies. Wetted material compatibility is documented per ASTM D471 and ISO 1817 standards. Units meet ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 0 for oil-free air/vacuum delivery and conform to GLP/GMP environmental monitoring requirements where trace hydrocarbon contamination must be excluded. All configurations support audit-ready documentation packages compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with KNF’s optional digital controller (NDC series).
Software & Data Management
While the base N86 models operate as standalone analog devices, they integrate seamlessly with KNF’s NDC Digital Controller platform via 0–10 V analog input/output or RS-485 Modbus RTU. The NDC firmware enables real-time vacuum setpoint control, runtime logging (with timestamped pressure/flow profiles), and configurable alarm thresholds (e.g., vacuum loss, motor overload). Data export is supported in CSV format for LIMS or ELN ingestion. Firmware updates follow IEC 62443-3-3 security guidelines, and audit trails—including parameter changes and calibration events—are retained for ≥12 months per internal data retention policy.
Applications
- Vacuum-assisted filtration (e.g., Buchner funnel, membrane filtration systems)
- Solvent evaporation and recovery in rotary evaporators and parallel synthesis workstations
- Deaeration of polymer resins, adhesives, and coating formulations prior to casting or curing
- Sample preparation for GC, LC-MS, and ICP-MS—where hydrocarbon-free vacuum is mandatory
- Controlled atmosphere chambers and glovebox purge cycles requiring stable sub-atmospheric pressure
- Replacement of water-jet pumps in teaching labs—reducing water consumption and eliminating drain-back risks
FAQ
What is the maximum permissible inlet gas temperature?
The recommended continuous inlet gas temperature range is –20 °C to +40 °C. Short-term exposure up to +50 °C is permitted if duty cycle remains below 30%.
Can the pump handle condensable vapors?
Yes—when fitted with PTFE-coated diaphragms and FFPM valves, the N86 series tolerates saturated solvent vapors at flow rates ≤70% of rated capacity; however, a cold trap is advised for >10% vapor load by volume.
Is validation documentation available for GMP environments?
Yes—KNF provides Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) reports, material certifications (EN 10204 3.1), and IQ/OQ templates aligned with EU Annex 15 and ASTM E2500.
How often does the diaphragm require replacement?
Under typical lab use (8 h/day, moderate solvent load), diaphragm service life exceeds 10,000 hours; replacement intervals are tracked via KNF’s NDC controller or logged manually using the provided maintenance log sheet.
Do N86-series pumps meet USP requirements for sterile compounding?
When deployed with HEPA-filtered inlet air and PTFE/FFPM wetted-path configuration, the N86KT variant satisfies USP Section 10.2.2 for vacuum source integrity and non-viable particle generation limits.
