Millivac Compact Vacuum Pump

Overview

The Millivac Compact Vacuum Pump is an engineered solution for low-to-medium vacuum generation in routine laboratory filtration applications. Designed specifically to support Millipore® (now Merck Millipore) vacuum filtration systems, this diaphragm-based pump operates on a dry, oil-free principle—eliminating the need for lubrication, maintenance downtime, or oil contamination risks in sensitive aqueous sample handling. It achieves a base vacuum of 100 mbar (absolute) at zero flow and delivers a maximum free-air flow rate of 6 L/min at atmospheric pressure (1013 mbar), making it suitable for rapid filtration of water, buffered saline solutions, culture media, and other non-corrosive, non-explosive aqueous samples. Its compact footprint (226 × 90 × 144 mm) and lightweight construction (1.9 kg) allow seamless integration onto benchtops, inside biosafety cabinets, or within modular lab setups where space and electrical efficiency are constrained.

Key Features

• Oil-free diaphragm technology ensures contamination-free operation—critical for sterility-sensitive filtration in cell culture, microbiology, and analytical sample prep.
• Ryton™ (PPS) polymer pump head provides exceptional chemical resistance to water, alcohols, and common buffer salts; EPDM elastomer diaphragm offers fatigue resistance and thermal stability up to 80°C.
• Viton® fluoroelastomer valves deliver reliable sealing performance across repeated duty cycles and extended service life under continuous intermittent use.
• Dual-voltage compatibility: configurable for 230 V / 50 Hz (EU/UK standard) or 115 V / 60 Hz (North American standard); rated power consumption is 50 W with nominal current draw of 0.55 A.
• IP20-rated enclosure with 3-conductor grounded power cord ensures basic electrical safety compliance for indoor laboratory environments per IEC 60529.
• 4 mm ID hose barb inlet facilitates quick connection to standard vacuum tubing used with Millipore® filter holders, manifold assemblies, and multi-well vacuum manifolds.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Millivac Compact is validated for use with aqueous-phase filtration only. It is not rated for solvent vapors, acidic or alkaline fumes, particulate-laden streams, or explosive atmospheres (ATEX/IECEx non-certified). As such, it complies with general-purpose laboratory equipment standards under ISO/IEC 17025–aligned workflows but is excluded from intrinsically safe or hazardous area applications. Its materials meet USP Class VI biocompatibility criteria for contact with pharmaceutical-grade water and buffers. While not explicitly certified to FDA 21 CFR Part 11, its operation supports GLP-compliant documentation when integrated into validated filtration SOPs—including traceable vacuum application logs via external pressure transducers (optional).

Software & Data Management

This is a standalone, manually operated vacuum source with no embedded microcontroller, digital interface, or data logging capability. Vacuum output is controlled solely via mechanical on/off switching. For process traceability in regulated environments, users may integrate third-party analog vacuum gauges (e.g., capacitance manometers) or digital pressure sensors with USB/RS-485 outputs compatible with LabVIEW®, MATLAB®, or ELN platforms. No proprietary software or driver installation is required or supported.

Applications

• Routine sterile filtration of growth media, PBS, HEPES buffers, and purified water in cell culture labs.
• Clarification of biological supernatants prior to centrifugation or chromatography.
• Vacuum-assisted washing of membrane filters in environmental water testing (e.g., EPA Method 1603).
• Sample concentration using vacuum rotary evaporators with low-boiling-point aqueous solutes (when paired with cold traps).
• Supporting vacuum desiccation of lyophilized reagents where moderate vacuum levels suffice (≤100 mbar).

FAQ

Is the Millivac Compact suitable for organic solvent filtration?
No. It is designed exclusively for aqueous solutions. Solvent vapors may degrade EPDM and Viton components and compromise long-term reliability.
Can this pump be used continuously for 8+ hours per day?
Yes—its thermally optimized diaphragm motor and Ryton housing support sustained intermittent duty cycles typical of high-throughput QC labs. However, continuous operation beyond 30 minutes without rest intervals is not recommended without external cooling or airflow management.
Does it meet UL or CE safety certification?
The unit carries CE marking for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU) and low-voltage directive (2014/35/EU); UL listing is not applicable as it is distributed under EU conformity assessment pathways.
What is the expected service life under normal lab use?
With proper handling and avoidance of liquid ingress or particulate overload, mean time between failures exceeds 10,000 operating hours—consistent with ISO 13849-1 PLc-rated industrial diaphragm pumps.
Is replacement of the diaphragm or valves possible by the end user?
Yes. Service kits—including EPDM diaphragms, Viton valve assemblies, and Ryton head gaskets—are available through authorized distributors with step-by-step technical bulletins aligned to ISO 9001 maintenance procedures.