ROCKER Tanker 130 Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump

Overview

The ROCKER Tanker 130 is an oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pump engineered for reliable, continuous operation in demanding laboratory environments. Utilizing the proven Couette-flow principle of rotary vane displacement, it achieves a base pressure of 0.133 mbar (≈0.1 Torr) and a nominal pumping speed of 85 L/min at atmospheric inlet pressure. Its robust cast-aluminum housing, precision-ground vanes, and optimized oil circulation system ensure stable performance across extended duty cycles—particularly critical for applications requiring sustained medium-to-high vacuum levels and high volumetric throughput. Designed for integration into vacuum filtration manifolds, drying ovens, centrifugal concentrators, and desiccation systems, the Tanker 130 delivers consistent vacuum stability without compromising mechanical integrity or operational safety.

Key Features

• Oil-lubricated rotary vane architecture with hardened steel vanes and corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy body for long-term dimensional stability and wear resistance
• Integrated thermal overload protection: bi-metallic temperature switch embedded in the motor winding automatically interrupts power when internal temperature exceeds safe operational limits; self-resetting upon cooling
• Acoustically damped enclosure and balanced rotor assembly reduce airborne noise to ≤52 dB(A) at 1 m distance—suitable for shared lab spaces and ISO Class 7+ cleanroom-adjacent installations
• Low-vibration operation (<0.5 mm/s RMS at 10–1000 Hz), minimizing coupling-induced resonance in sensitive vacuum lines and analytical instrumentation
• CE-marked per Directive 2014/35/EU (Low Voltage Directive) and 2014/30/EU (EMC Directive); compliant with EN 61000-6-3 (emission) and EN 61000-6-2 (immunity)
• Optional oil mist filter (ROCKER part #OMF-01) available to capture >99.5% of entrained hydrocarbon aerosols, meeting OSHA PEL and EU Directive 2004/108/EC workplace air quality requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Tanker 130 is compatible with standard KF-16, NW-25, and ISO-KF vacuum flanges (adapters sold separately). It handles non-reactive, non-condensable gases and low-saturation vapors typical of solvent-free drying, aqueous filtration, and inert-gas purging protocols. While not rated for corrosive or polymerizing process gases (e.g., Cl₂, NH₃, monomers), it meets GLP-relevant operational traceability standards when used with ROCKER’s optional vacuum gauge modules (e.g., VG-100 series) that support analog 0–10 V output and RS-485 Modbus RTU communication. Documentation includes full Declaration of Conformity, RoHS-compliant material declarations, and maintenance log templates aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.1 (equipment management).

Software & Data Management

As a standalone mechanical pump, the Tanker 130 does not incorporate embedded firmware or network interfaces. However, it is fully interoperable with third-party vacuum control platforms—including LabVIEW-based DAQ systems, Eurotherm 3500-series controllers, and PLC-driven vacuum sequencing logic—via its auxiliary dry-contact status outputs (run/fault) and analog vacuum level input (when paired with external gauges). All technical documentation (operation manual, preventive maintenance schedule, spare parts catalog) is provided in English and conforms to IEC 62061 functional safety guidelines for auxiliary signaling circuits. Firmware-upgradable accessories (e.g., digital vacuum controllers) retain full backward compatibility with Tanker-series electrical interfaces.

Applications

• Vacuum-assisted gravity filtration of biological suspensions, particulate slurries, and crystallization mother liquors
• Controlled-rate drying of hygroscopic pharmaceutical intermediates in ISO-certified vacuum ovens (e.g., Binder VDL series)
• Rotary evaporation support for low-boiling-point solvents (e.g., dichloromethane, ethyl acetate) under <1 mbar conditions
• Pre-evacuation and hold-pressure maintenance in freeze-dryers (lyophilizers) during primary drying phase
• Gas blanketing and inert-atmosphere transfer in glovebox antechambers and Schlenk line manifolds
• High-throughput sample preparation workflows compliant with ASTM D2879 (vapor pressure of liquids) and USP <621> (chromatographic system suitability)

FAQ

Is the Tanker 130 suitable for use with aggressive chemical vapors?
No. This pump is designed for non-corrosive, non-polymerizing gases and low-saturation organic vapors. Exposure to halogens, strong acids, or unsaturated monomers will degrade the nitrile rubber seals and accelerate oil oxidation.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for optimal longevity?
Oil replacement every 500 operating hours or semiannually (whichever occurs first); vane inspection and housing cleaning every 2,000 hours; oil mist filter element replacement every 1,000 hours under continuous operation.
Can the Tanker 130 be operated in a vertical orientation?
No. It must be installed horizontally on a rigid, level surface with ≥10 cm clearance around all ventilation grilles to ensure proper oil sump distribution and thermal dissipation.
Does the pump include vacuum gauge capability?
Not by default. A compatible vacuum gauge (e.g., ROCKER VG-100, Pirani or capacitance manometer type) must be purchased separately and plumbed inline with the inlet port.
Is 21 CFR Part 11 compliance supported?
The pump itself is not electronic-data-capable. However, when integrated into a validated system with audit-trail-enabled controllers and calibrated transducers, it contributes to overall system compliance under FDA-regulated QC laboratories adhering to ALCOA+ data integrity principles.